Access to a degree in public health now even more attainable
Students hoping to obtain a degree in the public health field now have more options to do so through a new program introduced by the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health in collaboration with the Nebraska State College System and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
PHEAST, or the Public Health Early Admission Student Track, program targets undergraduate students who are interested in a degree in public health and who are enrolled in their sophomore year at one of the state colleges or UNK.
"The College of Public Health strives to fulfill its mission in providing rich educational opportunities in public health to the citizens of Nebraska. PHEAST is an example of how we reach out to audiences all over the state, said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H.
“We are encouraged and validated by the welcoming response of leaders at the state colleges, as well as the University of Nebraska at Kearney. We promise to expand these initiatives in every way we can, and to maintain our accessibility to every student and health professional in Nebraska who wishes to expand their knowledge and skills in public health,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for our students in the state college system to pursue degrees that will assure their ability to return to rural Nebraska to deal with public health issues. Although we already have great people working in public health in rural Nebraska we certainly need more,” said Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System.
Eligibility is based on academic performance, including maintaining a 3.3 grade point average and having taken the ACT or SAT, and interest in public health as a career.
Students chosen for the program will pay no tuition during their last two years at the participating undergraduate institution and will be assigned a mentor from the UNMC College of Public Health. Partner institutions will each select up to three students, for a total of 12, to enroll in the program.
During their senior year students will take a three-hour master’s level introductory course to public health, which will be offered via distance learning enabling the students to remain on their home campus.
Once admitted to the UNMC College of Public Health, students can earn a master’s degree in public health in one of several areas of concentration – biostatistics, community health education, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, public health administration, maternal and child health and community-oriented primary care.
"PHEAST represents a win-win opportunity. Students who enroll in the program benefit from both the special counsel and from the financial assistance it provides,” said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen.
“Nebraska’s citizens, especially those who live in rural areas, benefit through the retention of bright and talented graduates who are interested in public health-related service," Kristensen said.
Students interested in the PHEAST program should contact the admissions offices at Chadron State, Peru State and Wayne State colleges or the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.
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