East Tennessee State University Public Health Degrees
East Tennessee State University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Degrees in the South
BS in Public Health
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health at East Tennessee University prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in public health. Students are able to concentrate their studies in either Community Health or Health Administration. The program has recently been restructured so that additional hands-on learning experiences are included. Students must complete a semester-long internship designed to allow them to apply classroom learning to real-world issues.
The Community Health concentration prepares graduates for careers as community health specialists and educators that are able to develop and implement health programs in community-based settings. The Health Administration concentration creates health services managers who can plan, direct and coordinate health services. Graduates who successfully complete the program along with an internship at a long-term care facility may be eligible to sit for the Tennessee State Licensing Exam for Nursing Home Administrator.
BS in Health Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences was established at East Tennessee University in 1964 and is a multidisciplinary degree that covers the human body and human health. Students are provided instruction in Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology. Students may concentrate their studies in Microbiology and Human Health.
The Microbiology concentration prepares students for entry-level positions. Students gain an understanding of the human body and human health while also developing outstanding communication skills. They also gain an understanding of microbiology, anatomy, biology, and physiology. The Human Health concentration focuses on microbial diseases and is designed for students who may wish to enter the medical or allied health field. It is a “human-centric” program that exposes students to current concepts, lab techniques, and disease prevention recommendations.
BS in Environmental Health
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health provides students with an understanding of how environmental factors impact human health. They also learn how to identify, prevent and control those impact. Students are provided a broad understanding of scientific, technical and behavioral skills in order to identify and eliminate issues that could be harmful to the health of humans and animals.
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health is designed for those who wish to move into leadership roles in the public health industry. The degree is available in five concentrations:
- Biostatistics – a quantitative field that provides students with an understanding of how to collect, manage and analyze public health data. The program provides instruction in how to collect, manage and analyze public health data using basic analytical methods along with statistical software.
- Community Health – provides students an understanding of how to interact with communities as well as how to conduct health assessments and program evaluations.
- Environmental Health – prepares graduates who understand the relationships between chemicals, biological substances and physical factors in the environment that may impact humans.
- Epidemiology – creates health professionals who study diseases, illness, and injury in an effort to understand why people become sick, what makes one person more likely to become sick than another as well as how to prevent illness.
- Health Services Administration – provides students with an understanding of accessibility, financing, and organization of health care services.
Master of Science in Environmental Health
The Master of Science in Environmental Health prepares students for careers in a wide range of industries, including Environmental Sanitation, Occupational Health and Safety, Water Resource Management and more. The program is available both on-campus, online or a hybrid. Students are provided a unique combination of a high-quality learning experience with opportunities for practice, research and community service. The program is available in both an MD/MPH Dual Degree or a Pharmacy/MPH program.
Doctor of Public Health
The Doctor of Public Health program is designed for those who are seeking competence in administration, advocacy, problem-solving, research and communication. Graduates are able to articulate lucid, coherent and balanced positions in public health as well as demonstrate the ability to influence health policy and program decision-making. They are also able to evaluate the impact of legislation, judicial opinions, regulations and policies on population health.
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health
The Ph.D. in Environmental Health promotes the environmentalist health sciences with a goal to create individuals who can identify, prevent and manage disease and/or injury. The program focuses on education, training, distinction in research, innovation in policy development and improvement in strategies designed to lead to better health.
About East Tennessee State University
In 1911, 29 students entered the East Tennessee Normal School, studying either a four-year course of study or a two-year normal school curriculum which was designed to train educators. In 1926, the school was renamed East Tennessee State College and, in 1930, became State Teacher’s College, Johnson City. That name was not popular and it was soon changed back to East Tennessee State College.
Enrollment grew dramatically after World War II when soldiers returned from the war and took advantage of the G.I. Bill. After World War II, servicemen returning from the war began enrolling in high numbers, taking advantage of the G.I. Bill. In the spring semester of 1946, 225 men enrolled at the school and grew continuously over the next few years. The school gained university status in 1963.
In 1963, Eastern Tennessee State College gained university status, becoming East Tennessee State University.
Eastern Tennessee State University Accreditation Details
Eastern Tennessee State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Regional accreditation lets parents, students, and employers know that when a student graduates they are well prepared for the career they have chosen. In addition to regional accreditation, various programs throughout the university have received industry-specific accreditation.
Today, there are 14,500 students enrolled at East Tennessee State University, studying in 11 colleges and schools.
Eastern Tennessee University Application Requirements
Freshman, students who have not earned college credit after high school, must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts along with official SAT or ACT scores. New student orientation is required as well as two health forms. Transfer students, those who have earned college credit after high school, must complete an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. In addition, they must meet the following minimum GPA requirements depending on how many credits they will transfer:
- 12-29 Transferrable Credits – 1.4 GPA
- 29.1 to 45 Transferrable Credits – 1.7 GPA
- 45.1 to 59.9 Transferrable Credits – 1.9 GPA
- 60.0 or more Transferrable Credits – 2.0 GPA
Those who wish to attend graduate programs must complete an application and create an online letters of recommendation account through the university. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. For the Master of Public Health, applicants must have a GPA of 2.75 and a satisfactory score on the GRE.
In order to apply for the Doctor of Public Health program, applicants must have successfully completed the MPH degree and provide a personal essay. They must provide official GRE scores and the exam must have been taken within the last five years. Three letters of recommendation are also required.
Eastern Tennessee University Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate in-state tuition at Eastern Tennessee University is $9,271 per year while out-of-state tuition is $28,459 per year. Graduate tuition is $470 per credit hour for residents and $841 per credit hour for non-residents.
In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Undergraduate students may qualify for grants, scholarships, loans or work-study programs. Graduate students may be eligible for assistantships, scholarships or loans.
East Tennessee University offers several degree programs in public health, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.