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Pre-Health Professions: Public Health Practitioner

  1. UNO
  2. Health Careers Resource Center
  3. Pre-Health Pathways
  4. Pre-Health Professions: Public Health Practitioner

Public Health Practitioner

Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promotions of health lifestyles, research for disease, and injury prevention and detection and control of infectious diseases. Overall public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations, small or large. Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or reoccurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services, and conducting research.

CAREER DESCRIPTION*

  • National median salary: $63,000-$118,000
  • National projected career growth: 7%
  • Monitor health of large populations
  • Detect and investigate health problems
  • Conduct research to enhance disease prevention
  • Develop and advocate public health policies
  • Promote healthy behaviors
  • Foster safe and healthy environments

TYPICAL EDUCATION**

  • Years of School (including undergraduate): 6-7
  • Average Entering GPA: 3.5
  • GRE may be required for some schools

COMPETITIVE STUDENTS ALWAYS...

  • Maintain a GPA above 3.0
  • Engage in research opportunities
  • Volunteer in the community

NEARBY SCHOOLS

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • University of Iowa
  • Colorado School of Public Health (multiple campuses)
  • Kansas State University
  • University of Kansas

AREAS OF STUDY

  • Biostatistics
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health
  • Health Service Research & Administration

PUBLIC HEALTH CAREERS

  • Epidemiologist or Infectious Disease Specialist
  • Emergency Preparedness/Response Specialist
  • Biostatistician or Data Specialist
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Legislative Policy Advisor
  • Public Health Analyst

WHERE DO P.H.P. WORK?

  • Government Agencies
  • Health & Environmental Agencies
  • Healthcare Settings
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Various Businesses at the Local, State, and Federal Level

*Data and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Data and information from UNMC
Last update: 9.2025

WHAT PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL SAY

“You cannot achieve environmental security and human development without addressing the basic issues of health and nutrition.”
-Gro Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of Norway

“Being a public health professional has given me the opportunity to impact the overall health of my community, which is a key reason that I choose this career.”
-Anonymous

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  • Phone: 402.554.5980
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