One of the gold standards of working in the CSRA includes a position in the medical field at a local hospital, doctor’s office, or healthcare facility.
A first-ever undergraduate degree program is being developed for Augusta University’s School of Public Health (SPH) to increase interest in the field.
Launched just three years ago, SPH’s goal is to promote healthy populations across Georgia.
The new degree is a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH).
“The work of public health professionals strengthens communities, addresses health challenges, and improves the quality of life for entire populations,” said AU President Russell Keen in a news release. “This program creates new opportunities for students who are passionate about improving health outcomes and equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a growing and essential field.”
It is a necessary step for students who want to join the graduate program to attain a Master’s degree through SPH.
However, undergraduates will have the education to immediately enter the healthcare workforce in a variety of ways, from government health systems to nonprofit organizations that support health at the grassroots level.
“We have great opportunity here,” SPH Dean Teresa Waters told ABD. “AU has been doing some excellent work across its other colleges, and this really was something that was missing, and it is a critical need. We expect that jobs for Bachelor of Public Health programs will grow by about 20% in the next five years. So, there is a huge need for training for individuals who have this training who can go out into our communities, into our state, into our nation to address and improve health.”
This degree also benefits SPH faculty members who have been supporting undergraduates through research opportunities and opportunities for community engagement.
“I think having a program like this will give students more opportunities to see what’s available and what would be a great career choice,” the release quoted Dr. Deborah Jehu, an associate professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health Sciences within SPH. “It will help them find their calling in life. We have a wide variety of experts within our faculty, which creates a great learning experience for students.”
Waters said they are also looking into developing accelerated programs so students can complete undergraduate studies and get their Master’s degree in just five years.
That would be similar to the Medical College of Georgia’s (MCG) Peach State Scholars Program, which provides full medical tuition in exchange for a commitment to complete a three-year primary care pathway and practice in a rural or medically underserved area.
It keeps AU and MCG at the forefront of training vitally needed healthcare workers to fill the workforce demands.
“I would absolutely say we are training students, graduates for hands-on work in the community,” said Waters. “Coming out with a bachelor of public health, they are likely to go into a more entry-level position, working directly, face-to-face with communities who need their skills, who can live a better life by participating in these programs and getting the tools that our graduates can give them to manage their health.”
The program is waiting for the green light from the Board of Regents to begin enrolling students. Prospective students are encouraged to monitor the AU application.
Additional details about the program are at: www.augusta.edu/programs/public-health-bs.php
