Two New Bachelor’s Degrees Expand Undergraduate Public Health Studies Offerings
The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University will welcome students this fall into two new undergraduate degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science. The additions expand opportunities for students interested in improving health through policy, healthcare leadership, nutrition, and disease prevention while building on one of the nation's strongest undergraduate public health programs.
The new degrees join Tulane's nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), giving students three distinct pathways to pursue careers that improve the health of individuals and communities. While the BSPH provides a broad foundation across the public health disciplines, the new majors offer focused preparation in two rapidly growing areas of the field.
Health Policy & Management
The Bachelor of Science in Health Policy & Management prepares students to understand how healthcare systems function and how they can be improved. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines public health, health policy, management, data analytics, and healthcare finance to prepare graduates for careers in healthcare organizations, consulting, government, nonprofit agencies, and related sectors. Students will develop the analytical and leadership skills needed to improve healthcare quality, access, and organizational performance.
“Over the years, I have been continually impressed by the many students I've taught who have expressed a passion for making a meaningful impact on our healthcare system, said Dr. Emily Harris, who directs the health policy and management bachelor’s program. “This new degree was designed to give those students highly sought-after skills that will set them up for successful careers in our rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.”
Nutrition Science
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science brings together the biological sciences and public health to examine how nutrition influences health across the lifespan. Students study nutrient metabolism, chronic disease prevention, dietary patterns, and the environmental, social, and behavioral factors that shape nutrition. The program prepares graduates for careers in health sciences, research, public health, and nutrition-related fields, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate or professional study.
“The Nutrition Science degree provides students with a strong scientific foundation and prepares them to work in diverse settings, from hospitals and schools to athletics, corporate wellness, private practice, and government agencies,” said Dr. Lauren Dunaway, who directs undergraduate nutrition programs. “It is also an excellent complementary major for students planning careers in healthcare, including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, nursing, and other health professions.”
Together, the three bachelor's degrees reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for today's evolving public health workforce. Whether students are interested in shaping healthcare policy, advancing nutrition and wellness, or addressing population health challenges more broadly, they can choose a program aligned with their interests while benefiting from Tulane's interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on real-world learning.
"I'm excited about the opportunities these new majors and minors create for our students,” says Nichole Valenzuela, director of the Office of Undergraduate Public Health Studies. “Whether they're majoring in public health or another field, these programs give students the flexibility to explore their interests, broaden their perspective, build interdisciplinary skills, and better understand how public health influences nearly every profession and every community."
Something for Everyone
Beyond its majors, Undergraduate Public Health Studies also offers several minors that allow students across the university to incorporate public health into virtually any academic discipline. Students can pursue minors in Public Health, Public Health Nutrition, Public Health Healthcare Administration, and Climate Change: Science and Practice, an interdisciplinary program offered jointly with the School of Architecture and the Built Environment and the School of Science and Engineering. These options provide students with flexible ways to explore the many factors that influence health while complementing majors ranging from biology and business to engineering and the social sciences.
As public health continues to intersect with healthcare delivery, nutrition, environmental change, and public policy, Tulane's expanded undergraduate offerings provide students with more opportunities than ever to prepare for meaningful careers that improve lives. With three bachelor's degrees and a growing portfolio of interdisciplinary minors, the school is equipping the next generation of leaders to address some of society's most pressing health challenges.
