Public Health Major

A student talks to an older man at a health fair

Jeremy Welsh and Jenna Rolfs sort personal protective equipment during the pandemic

A professor looks for ticks on a white sheet outside

Students and Jeffrey Herrick lead an exercise class for senior adults

Two students try walking with canes and walkers

Colby Takacs teaches students how to use a wheelchair

Public Health Degree (BS)

The University of Lynchburg’s public health major is a broad program of study that teaches you about all aspects of the health care industry. You’ll study the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, mental, and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals and communities. We’ll work with you one-on-one to customize your educational plan based on your career goals.

Our goal is to help you find your passion while preparing for a career in the health care field. The public health curriculum includes internship opportunities that’ll give you practical experience before graduating — something employers love to see on résumés! You can also pursue certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist.

The University of Lynchburg is the only private college in Virginia that offers this program.

The public health major offers two advising tracks:

As a Lynchburg public health student, you’ll:

Customize your coursework based on your career goals.
Learn how to help people change their lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, to maintain good health for life.
Graduate with confidence in your future — 96% of our graduates are working full-time or going to graduate school.
Be prepared to pass the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Student, Alumni, and Faculty Spotlights

Jamar Hawkins ’04

Studying health promotion at Lynchburg as a first-generation college student led Jamar Hawkins '04 to follow a career in public health policy, which he's taken all the way to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Lacey Teal ’21, ’22 MPH

Studying health promotion at Lynchburg, Lacey Teal '21, '22 MPH found strong support from her professors, fine-tuned her career goals, and netted a promising internship while following through with her master's.

Sloane Kelly ’22, ’24 MPAM

Sloane Kelly '22, '24 MPAM found a welcoming community of fellow students and professors while studying at Lynchburg as a health promotion major, which helped drive her to pursue a Master of PA Medicine.

Jackie Villanueva ’23

Villanueva, a native of El Salvador, heard about the University of Lynchburg from a high school advisor and visited the campus with a friend from Honduras. During their visit, they met Tulio Cedillo, an assistant professor of Spanish — and he made a big impression.

Faculty Contact

Tonya Price, DHEd, RDN, CHES, CWP
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Chair of the Health Promotion Department

434.544.8589
price.t@lynchburg.edu