Public health focuses on preventing disease, promoting health, and extending life across entire communities. Unlike doctors who treat individuals after they get sick, public health professionals view the community as a whole, identifying root causes of health issues and creating large-scale solutions to improve wellbeing and prevent illness.
Our programs build a strong public health foundation, preparing students to impact the health of individuals and communities. Students learn to design, advocate for, implement, and evaluate programs that promote health on a broad scale.
Students gain hands-on experience through internships, research, community projects, and professional events like conferences and research showcases. Our faculty specialize in areas such as racial health disparities, reproductive justice, athlete wellbeing, and community-focused research. The Department partners with the Center for Athlete Well-being, the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, and Healthy UNCG, offering students unique involvement opportunities.
Graduates of Public Health Education are in high demand and ready for diverse careers in local or state health departments, community outreach, healthcare, wellness programs, nonprofits, private practice, advocacy, education, government, and sports.
Use a strong social justice and health equity lens that informs our curriculum, guides our research, and influences our collaborative efforts
Advocate for social equity and reproductive justice
Work in communities to connect refugees with vaccines and other resources
Develop intervention programs in local neighborhoods to prevent gun violence
Study ways to increase access to breast cancer treatment for Black women and disparities in cardiovascular health in Latinx
Develop and implement programs to help college athletes avoid substance abuse, and increase concussion reporting among coaches
Empower individuals to make healthy changes in their everyday lives
The Program
The Department of Public Health Education (PHE) is a community of scholars, educators, researchers, and learners. We are focused on promoting health within communities and on changing lives. We accomplish this through:
Conducting translational research
Collaborating across disciplines
Advancing knowledge in health education and public health
Engaging in community-based practices
Developing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs
Assessing health needs in communities and with communities
Public Health Education is a dynamic department with faculty members that have been trained in a variety of disciplines and have unique research interests. The multitude of interests and experiences, all focused around community health promotion, creates a lively and engaged interdisciplinary experience.
The History of the Department of Public Health Education
1893 – 1902
THE FOUNDING OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Physiology & Physical Culture was first introduced to the North Carolina State Normal and Industrial school (now UNCG), focusing on personal Hygiene and Health of the students as well as simple Biology. The department later transitions to focus on preparing the female students for domestic life, later supporting several courses related to health education. In 1902, the department split into the departments of Physiology (focusing on physical education) and Hygiene (focusing on hygiene and simple biology).
1903 – 1905
FIRST COURSES INTRODUCED
The first courses in the Department of Physiology and Hygiene were named as “Hygiene” which was taken freshman year, and “Physiology and Hygiene” which was taken senior year. The Department of Domestic Science later introduced the “General household Economy” in 1905, which focused on helping the sick, dieting, and nutrition
1908
EXERCISE ROOM Created, Department CHANGED
An exercise room was created on the ground floor of the main UNCG dormitory. Previously, all physical culture courses were based outdoors where the women would take walks or play games.
1908
DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE
The Department of Physical Culture became the Department of Physical Training because the new exercise room allowed an expansion of courses. Every student took a physical training course and were required to purchase a gymnasium outfit for $5.00.
1914 – 1920
DEPARTMENT INTRODUCTION
The Department of Rural Economics was introduced to the State Normal and Industrial School (now UNCG), focusing on the study of Rural Life. The department later dissipated, transferring its courses to the department of Sociology and Education.
1920 – 1923
DEPARTMENT INTRODUCTION
The Department of Health was introduced to the North Carolina College for Women (now UNCG) The Department had 2 divisions: hygiene and physical education. In 1923, the Department of Health added a medical division.
1964
DEPARTMENT MERGER
The Department of Health merged with other departments to create the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.
1978
ETA SIGMA GAMMA INTRODUCED
The Alpha Nu Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma (A National Health Education Honorary) was established in 1978.
1984
THE FOUNDATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION
The Health Education major became its own department, creating the Department of Public Health Education.
1997
THE MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED
The Masters of Education in Public Health (M.Ed.) was replaced with a Masters in Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education.
The Masters of Public Health was accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
2006
DRPH PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED
In 2005, the need for students trained with a doctorate of Public Health (Dr.PH) was increasing. Therefore, a DrPH program was established, emphasizing preparation for students to have careers in academia and research, and increasing understanding of the socio-ecological perspective for understanding public health. The program also focused on researching and preventing health problems of citizens of North Carolina and the United States.
2009
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM ADDED
The Online Bachelors of Science degree in Public Health Education was introduced.