Oregon State University

What you'll study

The degree combines core public health foundations with specialised training in veterinary epidemiology and related biological sciences. Core public health modules cover introductory epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and health promotion, while veterinary-focused modules examine zoonotic diseases, animal population health, food safety and surveillance systems.

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics: study design, measures of disease frequency, risk assessment, data analysis and interpretation using public-health datasets.
• Zoonoses and Infectious Disease: ecology and transmission of diseases shared between animals and people, pathogen biology and control strategies.
• One Health and Environmental Health: interdisciplinary approaches linking animal, human and ecosystem health, including risk assessment and mitigation.
• Microbiology and Immunology: laboratory principles relevant to detection and characterisation of infectious agents.
• Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health: hazard analysis, supply-chain surveillance, inspection principles and regulatory frameworks governing animal products.
• Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation: methods for monitoring diseases in animal and human populations and practical outbreak response techniques.
• Research Methods and Capstone/Practicum: applied research project or field placement in public health agencies, diagnostic laboratories or community organisations.

Entry requirements

Admissions follow the university undergraduate entry process. Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent with strong performance in science and mathematics. Recommended prior subjects include biology, chemistry and mathematics; coursework in statistics or computer science is advantageous.

• Personal statement demonstrating interest in animal and public health, and any relevant work or volunteer experience.
• Letters of recommendation are useful where available.
• International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements set by the university.
• Students transferring from other institutions should provide college transcripts and any relevant course descriptions to evaluate transfer credit.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that bridge animal and human health in public, private and non-profit sectors. Common early-career positions include epidemiology technician, surveillance specialist, laboratory technician, food safety inspector, animal health technician and outreach or policy support roles.

Employers and pathways graduates commonly follow include:

• State and federal public health agencies and veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
• Animal health and food safety divisions within government (including regulatory and inspection roles).
• Non-governmental organisations and international agencies working on zoonotic disease control and One Health initiatives.
• Private sector roles in agricultural companies, food production and biosecurity consultancy.
• Further study: many graduates progress to master’s programmes in epidemiology, veterinary public health, public health, or to professional veterinary medicine programmes.

Why study at Oregon State University

Oregon State University offers strong interdisciplinary training in public health with access to campus research facilities, field laboratories and collaborative centres that emphasise One Health approaches. The College of Public Health and Human Sciences works closely with biological sciences and marine and agricultural programmes, enabling practical cross-disciplinary projects.

Students benefit from links with state diagnostic and extension services, opportunities for hands-on practicum placements with public- and animal-health partners, and faculty with active research in zoonoses, surveillance and food safety. That combination of applied experience, laboratory exposure and policy-relevant training prepares graduates for careers addressing real-world veterinary public health challenges.