Hi,
I am currently a first year undergraduate student who is interested in pursuing Public Health as a career later on. I will definitely be attending grad school. I am wondering what types of majors are looked upon as favorable by this field? I will be working for a minimum of two years before heading to grad school.
In public health, I’m interested in maybe going into something related to policy advising, policy development/design, sustainable development in community health, community health (women’s/children’s health) and human rights. So I would like to know what kind of major/double major would be most suitable for this.
Unfortunately, my school does not offer public health as a major. However, in the life sciences, I am considering Biology, Anthropology and Human Biology, and Neuroscience and behavioral biology. In the social sciences, I am considering economics and political science. I came in thinking I wanted to be a biology major, however I am disliking it thoroughly and know that I will not be pursuing anything in research/medicine.
I am strongly leaning towards Anthropology and Human Biology, which is a single degree offered as a BS. Yes, I do know that anthropology is not the best “marketable” major, however my end goal IS grad school. I just wanted to know that if, say, I double majored in Anthropology and Human Biology along with economics, will I be considered marketable in my years of working before grad school, as well as by the admissions committee when I apply for my masters?
Long post, but thank you so much for your answers! I know I’m looking ahead quite a bit, but I try my best to plan ahead!
The natural and social sciences are the most common majors for public health graduate students, and probably the ones that will prepare you the best for graduate school in public health. It really depends on what field you want to enter in public health; human biology would prepare you well for epidemiology, for example, but anthropology would be good preparation for community health.
Anthropology + biology + economics is a good combination but also sounds…difficult to complete in four years. I would focus on the anthro and human bio major and perhaps take a few classes in economics - maybe minoring in it if you have the time.
Although I must ask that if you don’t like biology why would you major in Anthro + Human Biology? Does your school have a regular anthropology major?
Hi Juillet,
I read your responses on my previous thread under Grad schools! When I said I am not enjoying the biology major at my school, it’s because of all the organic chemistry and physics requirements that need to be taken on the side along with extensive lab hours. Also, I’ve realized that out of all topics in biology, the ones concerning the human body and health are what appeal to me most (as opposed to plant biology, and hardcore genetics). That is why my school’s human bio anthropology major is a good meeting point between a pure science and social science. And I still graduate with a BS which is what I really want!
Hi Juillet,
I read your responses on my previous thread under Grad schools! When I said I am not enjoying the biology major at my school, it’s because of all the organic chemistry and physics requirements that need to be taken on the side along with extensive lab hours. Also, I’ve realized that out of all topics in biology, the ones concerning the human body and health are what appeal to me most (as opposed to plant biology, and hardcore genetics). That is why my school’s human bio anthropology major is a good meeting point between a pure science and social science. And I still graduate with a BS which is what I really want!