Department Chair Dr. Gregory Stevens
Welcome to the Department of Public Health at Cal State LA
We are a vibrant collective of undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, staff, and faculty dedicated to improving our communities' health and well-being. We thrive on students' success—from the day we meet until after graduation. I welcome you to explore our department, meet with our faculty, and join our community.
We train tomorrow’s public health workforce
We offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Public Health and a nationally accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) degree focusing on Urban Public Health.
Students in our BS program gain a foundational public health skillset. While doctors and nurses in clinics and hospitals treat people who are sick, public health students learn to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. They develop the analytic and applied skills to help keep neighborhoods and communities healthy.
Students in our MPH program gain public health expertise that enables a higher complexity of work. The rigorous curriculum prepares them to serve uniquely diverse urban communities. They also develop technical and analytical skills and professional confidence to lead organizations that address the nation’s health challenges.
Learn more about the profession of public health.
We build community and inspire students
Every student participates in a public health internship in the community. We help them to build personal and professional connections, and students gain valuable interpersonal skills and work experience. Students have opportunities to participate in research projects with faculty. We offer many special events each semester for students and alumni to connect.
Most importantly, our programs inspire our students. We collectively train students to be critical thinkers, become effective team players, and lifelong learners. These are traits that employers say are greatly needed in the modern workplace. Graduates of our programs make a difference in their community—differences they can see and feel and help them find a greater meaning.
We open the door to many different careers
Students who earn public health degrees work in government, business, and nonprofit sectors. They lead and staff county and state health departments, national and state health and environmental agencies, and unique public health institutions like the CDC. Our students also work in community clinics, hospitals, and public health insurance plans around Los Angeles.
Learn more about careers in public health.
Finally, a public health degree is also a good foundation for students who want to work in medicine and medical research. Students from our programs apply to medical school, physician assistant programs, and nursing programs. Others pursue advanced degrees in biomedical and health-related research. Public health skills translate well to these professions.
Ways to learn more
To learn even more about public health and what we do, I suggest you check out:
• Youtube to watch some of our special events.
• CDC for 10 Essential Public Health Services in English and Spanish.
• WHO to hear the greatest public health success stories
• UNICEF to learn just how close public health is to ending Polio
Contact Us: Department of Public Health Office