Social and Behavioral Sciences, Public Health Concentration, B.A.

A concentration is simply a way for SBS majors to organize their six required SBS electives at the 300-level or above. The Public Health concentration addresses a need for awareness of public health issues not only in Maine, but globally. Evolutionary and multicultural aspects of diseases and their interface with human populations are daily headlines in the media: for instance, health care systems; food utilization and governmental policies; epidemics of flu, HIV/AIDS, COVID, and other emerging infectious diseases; as well as the threat of bioterrorism, are all concerns of the discipline of Public Health. Professions that utilize knowledge of public health include medical and allied health and human services, mental health, gerontology, and child and family support. Public health approaches address the full spectrum of services, planning, and evaluation.

The Public Health concentration is intended to prepare SBS majors to become decision makers and policy advocates by shaping their ability to understand myriad public health concerns, and developing their facility in applying pertinent theoretical and practical knowledge to create a safe and functioning society. The concentration also prepares students for the pursuit of graduate study in Public Health and Policy.

IMPORTANT: This page describes the Public Health Concentration. Public Health (offered through the Social and Behavioral Sciences program) is also available as a Minor for students in any USM degree program, and as a Certificate, which is open to anyone. Students pursuing the Public Health Concentration may also be interested in USM’s Bachelor in Public Health.