Campus News

Westminster Announces New Public Health Program

Program to Address the Shortage of Public Health Professionals

SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster College recently announced the creation of a new public health program offered in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

“This program expands our college’s reach, and allows us to address the community’s growing shortage of public health professionals,” said Michael Bassis, Westminster College president.

According to Dr. Jean Dyer, Dean of Westminster’s School of Nursing and Heath Sciences, Dr. George White (Director) and Dr. Han Kim (Assistant Director) will coordinate the implementation of the program. Classes will begin in the Fall semester of 2008. Two tracks will be offered: a one-year (three semesters) track where students can earn a Certificate in Public Health (CPH) and a two-year Masters in Public Health (5 semesters) track. Individuals who successfully complete the CPH will be able to apply those credits towards the Westminster MPH degree.

“The new public health program was planned and developed with working professionals in mind,” said Dr. Dyer. “We hope to help address the current shortage of qualified public health professionals by meeting the needs of people who must work full-time or have other obligations that preclude them from going to school full-time during the day.”

“The literature indicates approximately half of the public health workforce will reach retirement age within the next five years, said Dr. Dyer. “Graduates with a certificate or master’s degree in public health will be very employable right now in the state and local public health departments, hospitals, government agencies, non-government organizations, as well as other health-related businesses.”

Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.