Public Health | Luther College

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The world needs knowledgeable and effective leaders to protect the health of people and the communities they live in.

Why Study Public Health?

Do you have a strong sense of empathy, enjoy working with different populations, have good communication skills, and like to solve problems? If so, a career in public health might be a good fit for you.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, public health careers are in demand. The Bureau of National Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in public health will increase 15% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to almost 2.4 million new careers in public health.

Why Study Public Health with Luther and the University of Iowa College of Public Health?

Luther College and the University of Iowa College of Public Health are partners in offering a 4+1 bachelor’s to master’s degree program in public health. The program provides you with the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree from Luther plus a master’s degree in public health from the University of Iowa, all in five years.

Luther students from any major will be considered for admission to the Master of Public Health degree program. The program provides training in epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, occupational and environmental health, and health policy.

The University of Iowa is one of the top 20 colleges of public health in the U.S. It is the only accredited school of public health in Iowa.

Expedited Path to a Graduate Degree

Luther’s partnership with the University of Iowa College of Public Health creates a direct and expedited path to a graduate degree in a field that is both timely and relevant. The program provides the opportunity to start your graduate degree while you are a senior in college, and finish your graduate degree in one additional year.

Individualized Plans of Study

Upon admission to the program, you will be given a prepared individualized plan of study to ensure that your undergraduate and graduate degrees are completed within five years’ time.

All Majors Considered for Admission

Luther students from any major will be considered for admission to the Master of Public Health degree program.

You can apply to the program during your third year at Luther, after completing 80 credit hours of undergraduate work and a minimum of 3.25 GPA. If accepted, you will receive graduate credit from the University of Iowa online courses that you take during your senior year, allowing you to graduate with two degrees in 5 years.

What You’ll Learn

The Master of Public Health degree program provides training in epidemiology, biostatistics, community and behavioral health, occupational and environmental health, and health policy.

The 4+1 program begins when you’re a senior at Luther, where you’ll take both Luther courses and online graduate courses via University of Iowa. You’ll be invited to participate in the events and activities at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. You’ll also have a graduate school academic advisor and be encouraged to get to know other students in your cohort and the University of Iowa faculty.

This accelerated path allows for substantial savings in both time and money, while pursuing education in one of the top 20 colleges of public health in the U.S.

Maryna Nading

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ANTHROPOLOGY AT LUTHER COLLEGE