Public & Community Health
Bachelor of Science in Public and Community Health
The healthcare industry is the third largest industry in the U.S. Each year, there are over 1.2 million jobs available. A bachelor's degree in public and community health from Murray State University, will prepare you to be part of the healthcare industry and help your community.
The Public and Community Health program was awarded with an Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQs) by QA Commons to show the deeply intentional work MSU has done to prepare future health leaders.
Study Public and Community Health
Named one of the top 25 online bachelors programs, the B.S. in Public and Community Health (PCH) at Murray State University is a dynamic
major that is interdisciplinary in nature. This degree provides options that allow
you to prepare for various careers in public and community health organizations, such
as hospitals, governmental agencies, non-profits, and worksite wellness programs.
Minor in Public and Community Health
Alumni Spotlight
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“Having worked for the Kentucky Department for Public Health for 7 years, I find my career to be incredibly rewarding. I am grateful to work for an organization that prioritizes investing in its current and future workforce through strong collaboration with Kentucky’s academic institutions, including Murray State University. It’s a privilege to bring paid internships and experiential learning opportunities to MSU students. ”
Job description: My role at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) is to manage the department’s Student Internship Program through coordination with Kentucky’s universities and colleges and KDPH’s public health programs. I provide overall program management and serve as a lead advocate to attract students for internship and experiential learning opportunities which offer college students real-life public health experiences.Lindsey BrewerAlum, Student Internship Program Coordinator
Internship and Career Resources
Our internship program received national attention for its use of best practices. Check out a recent webinar if you would like to learn more about the unique elements of our internship program. Learn more about our internship program
Career Resources
Charting Your Public Health Careet Path
Secrets of the Government Job Search — How to Apply for Local & State Health Department Jobs
Public and Community Health Professional Organizations
American Public Health Association – APHA
The American Public Health Association is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world; protecting all Americans, their families and their communities from preventable, serious health threats. APHA strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States.
Southern Health Association – SHA of the American Public Health Association
The Southern Health Association is a regional organization representing the southeastern states of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Hamilton and Kanawha Tennessee Counties. The Southern Association of the American Public Health Association looks to promote a greater degree of scientific effort in the protection and improvement of public health and promotion of public health services.
Kentucky Public Health Association – KPHA
The Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) is a nonprofit, independent, voluntary organization. The Kentucky Public Health Association is an affiliate of the Southern Health Association and the American Public Health Association.
Society for Public Health Education – SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) promotes healthy behaviors, healthy communities and healthy environments through its membership, network of local chapters and partnerships with other organizations. SOPHE members work in elementary/secondary schools, universities, voluntary organizations, health care settings, worksites and local/state/federal government agencies.
Society of Health and Physical Educators – SHAPE America
The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) SHAPE America is the largest organization of professionals involved in school-based health, physical education and physical activity.
Southern District Society of Health and Physical Educators – SD SHAPE America
The Southern District Society of Health and Physical Educators (SD SHAPE America) supports and promotes the aims of SHAPE America. SD SHAPE America also assists in strengthening the state associations of the thirteen district states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. – NCHEC
The NCHEC enhances the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. NCHEC certifies health education specialists, promotes professional development and strengthens professional preparation and practice.
HPCareer.net works exclusively in health promotion and wellness, supporting both the profession and the industry via the following: Career Advertising, Partner Network, Continuing Education and Web Site and Online Community Development, Support and Management.
Faculty
Elizabeth A. Gordon, PhD, MPH, CPH
Program Director/ Assistant Professor
Public and Community Health
101 S Oakley Applied Sciences
Dr. Elizabeth A. Gordon serves as program director and assistant professor in the Department of Public & Community Health at Murray State University. Dr. Gordon is a west Kentucky native and received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Murray State in 2008. She also attended the University of Louisville, where she completed her Master’s in Public Health and Doctorate in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Dr. Gordon is a certified public health professional with over 10 years of experience in the field. Previously she has worked in administrative positions with both Susan G. Komen and Vanderbilt University Medical Center focused on managing effective operations of cross-disciplinary work through program development and improvement, relationship management and effective communication strategies. ¶ In addition to her administrative role at Murray State, Dr. Gordon teaches a variety of courses related to public health including: Introduction to Public Health, Ethics of Healthcare Decision Making, Health Promotion Program Planning, Environmental Health, Health Assessment and Evaluation, Minority Health Disparities, and Senior Seminar. ¶ Dr. Gordon is an avid traveler and loves exploring the culture and history of new places. She recently led a study abroad course exploring the history of London and delving into its impacts on modern day health. In her personal time, she enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen, strolling through the Arboretum, and spending time with her husband, Josh, and daughter, Abigail.
Kimberly Minter-Verge, MS, CHES
Instructor
Public and Community Health
101 S Oakley Applied Sciences
Kimberly Minter-Verge serves as an instructor and internship coordinator in the Department of Public & Community Health at Murray State University. She was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011. She also earned a Master’s of Science degree in Health and Human Performance: Public Health Leadership from Austin Peay State University in 2016. Currently she is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Assessment, Learning and Student Success: Higher Education from Middle Tennessee State University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist with 15 years of experience in the field. She has previously served in direct patient care and public health roles focusing on pediatric acute care and epilepsy, long-term care, cancer treatment, nutrition education, diabetes prevention and family and consumer sciences. ¶ She teaches courses in: Personal Health, Health Behavior, Health Administration and Management, Healthcare Delivery System, Financial Aspects of Health Service Organizations, Mental Health and Professional Experience in Public and Community Health.
Azaher A. Molla, MD, PhD, MPH, MSc
Professor
Public and Community Health
101 S Oakley Applied Sciences
Dr. Azaher Molla, a long-experienced versatile public health expert, and presently an Associate Professor of Public and Community Health in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Dr. Molla received his PhD from the Oregon State University, MSc in Health Economics from the University of Dhaka, MPH from the Mahidol University, and MD from the Zaporozhye State Medical University. Previously, he worked as a tenured faculty (Associate Professor) in the Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. At Murray State, he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Healthcare Financing, Healthcare Planning, Healthcare Quality Management, and Research Methods. He has published 17 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, including BMC Health Services Research and BMC International Journal for Equity in Health. His present research includes Determinants of Access to Preventive Healthcare, Financial Hardship of Medicare Patients, and healthcare expenditure and poverty. ¶ Dr. Molla is a recipient of Lana Porter Open Access Award from MSU, World Health Scholarship from Tulane University, JICA Scholarship to study MPH in Mahidol University, and Bangladesh Ministry of Education Scholarship to study MD in Ukraine. He is an active member of the International Health Economics Association (IHEA), APHA, KPHA, and the Global Forum for Health Research. ¶ Dr. Molla likes to teach quantitative Research Methods and supervise research students at masters and doctoral levels. He also serves as the Editorial Board Member of the Amity Journal of Health Care Management. At leisure time he likes to study ancient history, philosophy, and literature. He enjoys to relax with the classical music.