Study Public Health at Pacific University

Public health has never been more important.

At Pacific University, public health students learn about health science, social science and humanistic approaches to addressing global health challenges.

Prepare for your career in community health, public policy, or cross-cultural work.

All public health students complete a faculty-supervised internship and build skills for communication, research and ethical practice.

Hands-On Experiences

Students gain invaluable experience in the field during their public health practicum. Recent placements have included the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Washington County Public Health, and the Asian Health & Service Center.

“My public health courses completely prepared me for the challenges that I have faced in the workplace, and I successfully completed numerous projects that were key in my admittance into graduate school,” said Sean Dalton, a 2014 graduate who went on to a master’s in public health. “Pacific’s public health program sparked my passion for a field that is essential to our society, and it has put me in a position to have a successful future as a public health practitioner.”

No. 1 Private Research University in Northwest

National Science Foundation data ranks Pacific as the No. 1 private research university in the Northwest — and No. 9 in the Far West, just behind institutions like Stanford and the California Institute of Technology.

What sets Pacific apart is the opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in that research alongside their faculty members.

Top-Ranked University in the Pacific Northwest

U.S. News & World Report calls Pacific one of the best colleges in the country, as well as a Best Value School.

Students enjoy living and learning in the Pacific Northwest, just a quick trip away from downtown Portland, the Cascade Mountains, or the Oregon Coast. 

They build close relationships with faculty members, who put teaching first and serve as mentors. Students also benefit from the well-rounded liberal arts curriculum, gaining hands-on experience, engaging in volunteerism and activism, and becoming critical thinkers and community leaders.

Merit & Need Scholarships 

About 99 percent of all Pacific undergraduates receive financial aid to attend college. We offer need- and merit-based scholarships. Get started just by showing up: High school seniors who attend a virtual Senior Preview Scholarship Day this fall and complete an online activity can earn up to $4,000 ($1,000 per year for four years) in scholarships!