WKU Owensboro News

Bowling Green, Kentucky – Adult learners in Elizabethtown, Glasgow, and Owensboro regions will have a new degree option through WKU Public Health beginning this fall. Students at these regional campuses will be able to complete a Bachelor of Science in Public Health through a hybrid format including connected classrooms and online.

The program is designed to prepare students for a challenging career in a large number of disciplines related to improving the quality of life for people and communities.

Sharon Brooks completed her degree from WKU in 2017. She now uses her degree to help her community as the Family Resource Coordinator for Edmonson County Schools.

“My public health program introduced me to a career path that I never expected,” said WKU alumnus. 

Brooks said that her program introduced her to a wide variety of people, collaborations, and experiences that prepared her for a career she loves and provided practical experience to prepare her to assess the needs of her community and develop programs and resources to meet those needs.

“The combination of faculty support, classroom instruction, and hands-on experience helped me develop skills and professional connections that I use every day,” she said.

Public health professionals address a broad number of issues, from prevention and protection, to resources and education. An aging population, rising healthcare costs, and pressing public health challenges, which include a global pandemic, make demand for public health professionals even greater, and businesses and organizations recognize the role public health professionals play in creating practical solutions.

“Now more than ever, public health is a fundamental aspect of our world,” said Undergraduate Director of Public Health Programs Dr. Grace Lartey.

Lartey stated that public health professionals can meet these community needs in a wide variety of fields, including health education, epidemiology, occupational health & safety, research, consulting, non-profit, and other areas that address community health and safety.

She added that public health is an excellent fit for those with a desire to make a significant impact on their community.

“We are a community of people with a passion for impacting the world around us,” said Lartey.

KCTCS students can easily transfer their associate of science or associate of applied science into the program at their local WKU regional campus.

For more information, visit the WKU Public Health website or contact an academic advisor at the WKU Regional Campus near you.