Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
1 Hairpin Dr, Edwardsville, IL 62026, United States

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a public university in Edwardsville, Illinois. Located within the Metro East of Greater St. Louis, SIUE was established in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. It is the younger of the two major institutions of Southern Illinois University system. SIUE has eight constituent undergraduate and graduate colleges, including those in arts and sciences, business, dentistry, education, engineering, graduate study, nursing, and pharmacy, in addition to the East St. Louis Center.

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Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Overview

Do you want to make a difference? Our graduates directly enter into careers that address health disparities, illness, injuries and premature deaths. Others continue their education in graduate and professional programs including public health, epidemiology, healthcare administration, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.

Want to connect with us on social media and learn more about our program? Search SIUEpublichealth on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @siue.publichealth.

SIUE's public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Learn more.

Why public health?

Public health professionals focus on preventing health problems by:  

  • Promote healthy behaviors, social and physical environments
  • Conduct health promotion and education campaigns
  • Improve health policies
  • Monitor and prevent the spread of diseases
  • Use data to improve the health of communities

In essence, public health focuses on the four "Ps":

  • Prevention                           
  • Promotion
  • Protection
  • Population health

Want to learn more about public health? Watch this short video.

What can I do with a degree in public health?

Lots! There is a high demand and sometimes our students work in public health even while they are completing their degree (e.g. community health worker, patient navigator). Better than telling you what you can do with the degree, here are jobs that our most recent alums are doing within a year following graduation. 

Recent graduates have been hired into these positions:

  • Community Education Instructor
  • Community Health Specialist
  • Consumer Safety Inspector
  • Emergency Med Clerkship Coord
  • Environmental Health Specialist I
  • Health Educator
  • Health Navigator
  • Helpline Agent
  • OB-GYN Researcher
  • Occupational Health and
    Safety Specialist
  • Patient Access Representative
  • Patient Registration Specialist
  • Public Health Administrator II
  • Research Associate

 Recent graduates have been hired by these organizations and businesses:

  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • Amazon
  • BJC
  • Carle Hospital
  • Chestnut Health Systems
  • Chicago Department of
    Public Health
  • Lawrence County
    Health Department
  • North Shore University
    Health Systems
  • Peoria City/County
    Health Department
  • Planned Parenthood
  • Saint Louis University
  • St. Louis Children’s Hospital
  • SIU School of Medicine
  • USDA
  • Washington University School
    of Medicine

The Bachelor of Science in public health (BSPH) is a desirable foundation for further graduate or professional programs, including: 

Public Health Career Videos

Hands-on Learning

Why wait to get experience? Starting with service-learning opportunities in their first class and ending with an internship, our students have multiple opportunities to work in the field of public health prior to graduation.

Internships

Public health students have the opportunity to merge their academic knowledge with practical professional experience while earning academic credit. Students explore and clarify professional goals, acquire new skills and develop professional networks within their chosen area. Recent internships include the Illinois Public Health Association; Call for Help; SIU School of Medicine; and the St. Louis Area Food Bank.

Service-Learning and Community Health Projects

Beginning with the first class for our majors, public health students connect with area agencies and organizations to see public health in action.

All seniors plan a public health program for a community as their senior project. Examples of previous projects include:

  • Hypertension education, Casa de Salud, St. Louis
  • COVID vaccine hesitancy, East St. Louis
  • African-American infant and maternal mortality, multiple communities
  • Vicarious trauma, Call for Help, Inc.

Global Experiences

The program offers faculty-led travel study courses that examine various aspects of public health, life, culture, and the geopolitical climate in other countries or culturally diverse areas. Potential areas of examination and service could include: 

  • Vector-borne illnesses
  • Environmental sustainability 
  • Environmental education and programming
  • Disaster response and relief
  • Community development
  • Health and wellness education

All international opportunities are offered for credit and some may be completed as internships.

Learn more about travel study opportunities on the Department of Applied Health website.

Student Groups and Professional Organizations

Eta Sigma Gamma

Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG) is the national health education honorary society which consists of more than 80 chapters at different colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. The goals of EGS include:

  • Supporting the planning, implementation and evaluation of health education programs and resources
  • Stimulating and disseminating scientific research
  • Recognizing academic achievement
  • Supporting health education advocacy initiatives
  • Promoting professional standards and ethics

Membership is open to public health majors or minors who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above.

SIUE Gamma Delta Chapter of ESG

Membership requirements of SIUE's Gamma Delta chapter of ESG:

  • Pay an initiation fee of $50
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.7
  • Attend chapter meetings
  • Participate in a chapter fundraiser
  • Participate in at least 15 service hours each semester or 30 hours per year
    • Past events include:
      • World AIDS Day
      • SIUE Health Brigade Day
      • Thanksgiving canned food drive
      • Condom distribution event at local Edwardsville bars
      • Local and university wellness fairs

Members who meet all membership requirements are eligible to wear their green and gold honor cords at commencement ceremonies.

Faculty

View current public health faculty.

https://www.siue.edu/academics/undergraduate/degrees-and-programs/public-health/?section=all 

Undergraduate applicants who require non-immigrant, student visas will be reviewed for appropriate academic requirements, English language proficiency and adequate financial resources.

Application Materials

Once Approved for Admission:

All necessary documents can be uploaded via your application center for review purposes only. Please note that if approved for admission, you must submit official transcripts and test scores to our office before we can formally admit you and before we can issue an I-20 document to obtain a U.S. visa.

Please make sure your application is complete and submitted by the application deadline.

Submit official test scores using one of the codes below:

  • ACT/SAT: Institution code 1759 (no department code required)
  • TOEFL: Institution code 1759 (no department code required)
  • IELTS: Select SIUE from the institution list. Scanned score reports with TRF number can be uploaded through your self-service online application center.

Application Fee

There is a non-refundable application fee of $40 for all programs. You may pay by Visa or MasterCard via the application center. A convenience fee of $1.10 is added for this service. You may also pay via wire transfer through your bank or debit card. Admitted students who decide to change their term of entry after submitting an application or being admitted will be required to submit a new application for the desired term. You may update the term of your application for the next two terms without another application fee. 

Tracking Your Application Status

You can track the status of your application via the application center using the same username and password you used to create the application.

We receive a high volume of applications and materials during the peak admission period (November-May). Please allow approximately 15 business days from the date of receipt of your official academic records to process these documents and match them to your application in our system.

Once you submit your application, you will begin to receive email notifications regarding missing transcripts and other materials required. Make sure to check the email address you provided on the application. Please note that we do not send confirmation emails when materials have been received. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an admission notification that will provide you with instructions for the next steps.

https://www.siue.edu/admissions/international/apply/undergraduate.shtml 

Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications early.  Applications received after the priority deadline may not be reviewed, especially for highly competitive and popular programs, including undergraduate and graduate programs in STEM designated areas. Applications are processed on a rolling basis and once seats are filled for a particular program in a particular term, additional applicants will be denied admission. 

Transfer students: Later deadlines may apply for students who are currently in the United States on a valid student visa and wish to transfer to SIUE. Please contact the Office of International Admissions for more information.

The priority deadline for Spring 2024 has passed, SIUE will no longer accept undergraduate applications from students outside the U.S.  Many graduate programs have met capacity, and students applying for these program will be waitlisted.  Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for the Fall semester to receive full consideration.

Fall Semester (August-December) - April 1(Priority Deadline) June 1(Deadline)
Spring Semester (January-May) - October 1(Priority Deadline) November 1(Deadline)

Prospective students should submit an application by the priority deadline to guarantee full consideration.  All STEM designated program applications will close at the priority deadline.  Applications received after the priority deadline, but before the final deadline, will be reviewed only if space remains available in the program of study. 

Note that all financial documents must be received within 15 days of the deadlines listed above for an I-20 to be issued.

https://www.siue.edu/admissions/international/apply/deadlines.shtml