Public Health Concentrations

Choosing a Public Health Concentration

Regardless of concentration completed, the public health major prepares graduates for post-graduate study in a wide variety of training fields and/or for immediate employment in entry-level public health jobs. The greatest potential for immediate employment is within the Addiction Prevention or Community Health Education fields.

Specific to post-graduate study in public health, the public health core courses prepare students for post-graduate study in all graduate public health specializations. Depending on the concentration completed, additional knowledge and skills may be gained for employment or for post-graduate training in a public health specialization or other field. Specific course requirements are listed in the Syracuse University Undergraduate Catalog.

Salaries listed below are entry level, with a bachelor’s degree.

Addiction Prevention

Audience: any public health major with an interest in substance use/abuse and majors interested in employment in the Addiction Prevention Services field. Students who complete this concentration meet NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services education training requirements for employment in the Addictions Prevention field. Full credentialing as a Prevention Specialist requires post-graduate work experience. Good background concentration for pre-clinical health students.
(Addiction Prevention Specialist)

Projected job outlook: 7% increase

Median salary: $62,639 (Certified Addiction Specialist; higher if program coordinator)

Post-graduate training: addiction studies; mental-health counseling; MPH/focus in prevention science, health promotion, health education, or mental health; social work; pre-clinical health fields

Community Health Education

Audience: any public health major with an interest in health promotion, illness prevention, or risk reduction; or community outreach. Skill-building concentration. Best for students seeking immediate employment (largest market sector for BSPH). Students who complete this concentration are eligible for credentialing as a Community Health Education Specialist.

Projected job outlook: 12% increase 

Median salary: $60,600 (Community Health Educator)

Post-graduate training: Any MPH specialization, especially programs in health promotion and health education
(Health Education Careers)

Health and Society

Currently not enrolling for 2024-2025 semester

Audience: any public health major with a broad interest in public health, unsure of career interest, or those students planning to pursue post-graduate training in clinical health, public administration and policy, or law. This concentration provides entry-level skills that align best with employment in positions that involve community outreach or those with a focus on health promotion. 

Job outlook and salary is dependent on specific employment position sought. 

Healthcare Management

Audience: any public health major with an interest in managing healthcare programs or pursuing graduate training in healthcare administration or public health with a focus in health policy, public health leadership, or healthcare management. Complements majors or double minors in policy studies, management, or business. 

Projected job outlook:
12% increase -Social & Community Service Managers
28% increase – Medical or Health Services Managers

Median salary:
$74,000 (Social & Community Service Managers)
$101,340 (Medical or Health Services Managers)

Post-graduate training: healthcare administration or management; MPH/health systems & policy; MPH/public health leadership/management
( Medical and Health Services Manager)