A new undergraduate major in Public Health and the importance of experiential learning in the program

The presentation will explain how experiential learning is integrated throughout the entire program through different approaches such as: internships, community service learning, case studies, program development, etc. In May of 2007, the Massachusetts Board of Education approved the UMass undergraduate major "Public Health Sciences." The major is designed, like the field of public health, as an interdisciplinary program and a program of self-discovery, helping students answer the question(s): What kind of public health professional do I want to become? Do I want to work in health research? Do I want to work on creating health policies to support our society to be healthier? Maybe I want to work in the medical field (as a doctor, nurse, physician assistant, etc.) and an undergraduate degree will help launch me on this journey. Maybe I'd like to work in communities —here in the U.S., or abroad—educating people to live healthier lives. The public health field is broad and exciting, and the undergraduate program is designed to help students answer these questions by offering courses and different experiential learning approaches to support developing their interests and educational goals.