This undergraduate programme combines core public‑health training with specialised study in veterinary epidemiology and One Health approaches to zoonotic disease, food safety and animal population health. It suits students who want a cross‑disciplinary foundation for careers in disease surveillance, laboratory or field epidemiology, veterinary medicine or graduate training in public health and infectious disease.
What you'll study
The curriculum blends introductory and intermediate public health courses with focused modules in epidemiology, infectious disease, microbiology and animal health. You will build quantitative skills in biostatistics and study design, learn principles of disease transmission and control, and explore the human–animal–environment interface through One Health frameworks.
- Core public health: population health, social determinants of health, health policy and ethics, global health systems.
- Epidemiology and biostatistics: fundamentals of epidemiologic methods, outbreak investigation, regression modelling and data analysis using real datasets.
- Infectious disease and microbiology: microbial pathogenesis, laboratory methods for detecting pathogens, antibiotic resistance and vaccine principles.
- Veterinary and animal health topics: veterinary public health, zoonoses, animal population dynamics, food safety and surveillance in production and companion animals.
- Research and practicum: supervised research projects, field placements with public health agencies, laboratory internships or community‑based One Health initiatives.
- Electives and advanced options: spatial epidemiology, modelling infectious disease spread, risk analysis, environmental health, conservation medicine and policy analysis.
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have a strong secondary‑school academic record with substantial preparation in the sciences and mathematics. Typical preparation includes biology, chemistry and mathematics (calculus or statistics), and evidence of independent numerical or research work is highly valued. Admissions takes a holistic view of academic performance, recommendation letters, personal statement and extracurricular experience.
- High school diploma or equivalent with strong grades in science and maths.
- Preparation in laboratory science (biology and chemistry) and mathematics recommended.
- Personal statement outlining interest in public health, veterinary science or One Health; letters of recommendation that speak to academic potential and initiative.
- Relevant extracurriculars or work experience (research, animal care, public‑health volunteering) strengthen an application.
- International applicants should demonstrate equivalent academic preparation and English language proficiency where required.
Career prospects
Graduates are prepared for a range of roles in public and animal health. Many pursue graduate or professional training (for example, veterinary school, MPH, MS in epidemiology or infectious disease), while others enter the workforce in positions that make use of their quantitative and field skills.
- Field epidemiologist or disease surveillance officer with public‑health agencies and non‑governmental organisations.
- Laboratory technician or research assistant in infectious disease, veterinary diagnostics or zoonoses research.
- Roles in food safety, inspection services and biosecurity within governmental or industry settings.
- Policy analyst, programme coordinator or outreach specialist in One Health initiatives and global health organisations.
- Progression to clinical veterinary training or postgraduate public health and epidemiology degrees for specialised research or leadership roles.
Why study at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins offers strong, research‑intensive public health training supported by one of the world’s prominent public health schools and extensive cross‑disciplinary resources across its campuses. Students benefit from access to established epidemiology and infectious‑disease research centres, supervised practicum placements in Baltimore and beyond, and opportunities to work with faculty engaged in field investigations and translational research.
- Interdisciplinary environment linking public health, medicine, biology and data science.
- Opportunities for mentored research with faculty in epidemiology, microbiology and global health.
- Field and practicum placements that provide practical experience in surveillance, outbreak response and community health.
- Strong alumni and professional networks that support internships, graduate study and career pathways in public and animal health.
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