ALLEGANY, N.Y. — A new undergraduate major in public health is now available from the School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure University.

Public health professionals work to promote and protect the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. From conducting scientific research to educating about health, people in the public health field work to assure the conditions in which populations can be healthy.

St. Bonaventure’s Bachelor of Science in public health prepares students to enter the public health environment — positions in community health, health education, health and safety administration — and/or to pursue advanced studies in public health, public policy, health administration, epidemiology and other related fields.

Public health majors will explore the history and principles of public health, community health, public health leadership, health promotion, the needs of multicultural populations, health marketing, health informatics and health policy within a rigorous curriculum.

Upon completion of the public health program, students will understand public health’s role in promoting population health worldwide, how social and economic issues inform public health theories and practices, and how to implement findings into public health interventions. Students will also acquire effective communication and critical thinking skills to create solutions to public health problems.