Master of Public Health

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

At SIUE, we have a graduate student-to-faculty ratio of two-to-one, so our students receive personalized attention from faculty recognized for outstanding teaching and excellent research. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at SIUE provides learning and research opportunities in many areas and students are exposed to various cultures from diverse faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences.

What can I do with a degree in Mathematics?
Professionals holding positions as mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries consistently rank their careers at the top of surveys on job satisfaction and security. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook in these fields remains strong, and growth is projected at 25% over the next 10 years.

The study of history begins with questions about the past; how things came to be as they are or were. These questions can contribute to a greater understanding of ourselves, others and the world in which we live.

Historians approach the study of the past from various perspectives, but all analyze the patterns and causes of change in human thought and action across space and time and the consequences of those changes. Some, working within or across national histories, focus on the trajectory of particular social institutions, such as the family, government, business or religion. Alternately, historians can investigate the historical development of ideologies or of cultural concepts such as race or gender. Historians borrow investigative strategies freely from other disciplines. For some historians, the methodologies of the social sciences become critical tools for the study of the past, while others prefer a historical approach involving the methods of the humanities and literature. Most adopt some mixture of methodologies.

In the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, the Department of History emphasizes the study of primary sources beginning with our freshman-level survey labs, through the senior research projects. We also provide numerous opportunities for hands-on learning through class projects and internships at many venues in the greater St. Louis region and in the Metro East. A specialization in applied historical methods is also available for those interested in museums, editing and digital technology. The social science secondary education minor for licensure in teaching is housed in the Department of History.

What can I do with a degree in History?
Traditionally, a bachelor’s degree in history was thought to primarily provide a knowledge base for two careers: licensure in teaching, or as a foundation for attending law school. While teaching and attending law school are still viable options for students with a degree in history, the degree is becoming broadly recognized as a foundation for many other careers. Students are pursuing careers in local, state and federal government, including the Foreign Service and city or town management; nonprofit organizations; politics, including political advising; curatorial and archival management in libraries, museums and art galleries; media, public relations, digital editing and film consulting; and business, in corporate training and development.

While pharmacists work to manage patient care with emphasis on therapies using existing drugs, pharmaceutical scientists are engaged in the discovery and development of new drugs. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences provides a multidisciplinary approach to not only determine the detailed biological mechanism of disease, but develop the molecular interventions that can provide the treatment or cure. Students in SIUE's School of Pharmacy are taught in state-of-the-art laboratories by an internationally recognized faculty with many years of both academic and pharmaceutical industry experience.

This program, which is held within SIUE's School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, is intended for students who seek master's-level training appropriate for clinical work with primarily adult clients. This training often leads to employment in organizations providing clinical psychological services (e.g., community mental health agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities) or continued education in doctoral training programs. The clinical psychology program in the Department of Psychology is a full-time program only, with most courses offered during the day in seminar rooms and clinical settings.

What can I do with a degree in Clinical Psychology?
Many of our graduates enter doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology or other fields, either immediately after graduation or after some time in the field. Those who enter the workforce immediately after graduation have obtained positions in psychiatric hospitals, research institutions and various types of clinical agencies.

Sociologists are interested in changing the world. But, we do so by systematically studying society rather than using our biases or assumptions. Once we understand the larger social forces that influence our own behavior and that of others, we can create policies, organizations, and even families that benefit the majority of people rather than the powerful few.

At SIUE, we focus on application. Students in the Department of Sociology participate in hands-on experiences so they can apply what they learn in their classes. Students pursuing general sociology work in communities helping gather data and provide suggestions on how to make those communities stronger. Diversity and social justice students complete internships in nonprofit organizations learning to write grants and help groups find resources. Students specializing in employment relations complete internships in organizations where they help uncover how to make workers more committed and productive. Through systematically gathering information from different groups, sociology can be a powerful tool for the betterment of communities and organizations.

Diversity and Social Justice
The specialization option in diversity and social justice prepares students for work in social movement/nonprofit organizations that focus in the area of gender/sex, sexuality, race, environment, class, disability, and other areas where injustices occur. The goal is to apply sociological knowledge to understanding theories for why social inequalities occur and for constructing logical and practical solutions for such inequalities.

The Bachelor of Science in nutrition from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior focuses on the study of foods and nutrients and their effect on the health of individuals. Housed in the Department of Applied Health, the program combines coursework in both the basic sciences and nutritional sciences to provide students with the preparation needed to excel in a variety of professional nutrition and health settings. An intensive study in biological and physical sciences is emphasized as a basis for understanding the science of nutrition and the relationships between nutrients and human health. Core course requirements focus on human nutrition with areas of study in energy metabolism, proteins, vitamins, minerals, community nutrition, and diet in the prevention and treatment of diseases. At SIUE, the major in nutrition is designed to meet the admission requirements for post-graduate programs in dietetics, as well as admission requirements of most colleges of medicine, nursing, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and other healthcare professions.

What can I do with a degree in Nutrition?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, national job growth for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to be 15% through 2026. At SIUE, we provide the curriculum and pre-professional training for students wishing to enter graduate school to pursue programs in nutrition/dietetics on their way to careers as registered dietitians. Students must complete graduate training and 1,200 hours of internship to begin a career as a registered dietitian (RD). The role of nutritionists and dietitians will continue to be important as the understanding of food and nutrition in preventing and treating illnesses becomes more prevalent.

The biological sciences encompass the study of all life on Earth. Biological sciences programs are offered through the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. At SIUE, our diverse programs of study include specializations that allow students the opportunity to pursue any areas that are of interest to them. Students can customize their academic program in order to better prepare them for their chosen career.

What can I do with a degree in Biological Sciences?
Many careers are available for people with basic or advanced training in biology. There are opportunities in botany, ecology, education, fisheries, forensics, forestry, genetic engineering, horticulture, medical technology, microbiology, molecular biology, parasitology, physiology, wildlife management and zoology. Technical and supervisory positions are available in federal, state, industrial and university laboratories. Environment and health-related occupations almost always require sound, basic training in biology. Most students entering schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, veterinary science, chiropractic and podiatry are biology majors. Basic training in biology is essential for careers in allied health sciences, including nutrition, pharmacy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
The bachelor's in biological sciences with a specialization in ecology, evolution and conservation at SIUE prepares students for positions that require the application of ecological principles to the solution of environmental problems. The specialization also prepares students for advanced study in all areas of biology, including wildlife ecology and forestry. Students selecting this specialization will take a planned sequence of courses that includes basic biological sciences, ecology, evolution, and environmental science. This study may include laboratory and field research. A variety of elective courses are available to allow students to pursue special interests such as plant or animal ecology, environmental management, and evolutionary biology, at either the organismal or cellular level. Students should consult their advisor to devise a course schedule to fit their specific talents and interests.

Students who are curious about the world around them, interested in the environment, sustainability, culture and technology should consider majoring in geography at SIUE. Geography is more than learning to read maps and memorize state capitals. The Department of Geography and Geographic Information Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences offers a variety of courses in human, physical, and regional geography, as well as geospatial techniques. Our faculty conduct research on a wide variety of topics at the local, regional and global scale. Majoring in geography prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields.

What can I do with a degree in Geography?
A variety of career opportunities await graduates with a degree in geography from SIUE. We offer the only geography program in the St. Louis metropolitan area and as such, our graduates are in demand for positions in the region’s growing geospatial workforce. Employers include federal and state government agencies; national security contractors; tech companies; engineering firms; utility companies; local and regional governments; agricultural companies; and environmental nonprofit organizations. Our geography graduates work as geospatial analysts, cartographers, imagery analysts, urban planners, retail location analysts, climate scientists, resource managers, sustainability consultants, and park rangers.

Faculty in the Department of Music believe students in undergraduate academic programs in music should receive a comprehensive musical background that includes cultural knowledge through the general education program, individual performance, ensemble performance, scholarly studies in music theory and history/literature, and where applicable, teacher education courses. The intent is to develop skilled and informed musicians, able scholars, and excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

The Bachelor of Music curriculum prepares students for professional careers and advanced graduate study in music performance and music education. The Bachelor of Arts, designed for students who wish to specialize in music within a liberal arts curriculum, may serve as the foundation for advanced studies in music.

Music Performance (Instrumental)
Students specializing in music performance develop their musicianship and technique through the study and performance of music from various periods and genres. They become familiar with the many aspects of the performance profession, and receive the preparation to apply for continued study in master's programs at numerous quality institutions. Career opportunities include performing in orchestras, studio orchestras, jazz groups, choruses, operas, oratorios, and musical theater, as well as private studio teaching.

The fast change of pace in our society is creating new career opportunities for individuals trained in multiple disciplines. The Master of Science in integrative studies allows students to access expertise from two or three areas and integrate courses into a degree that meets the needs of an emerging career field.

Consider integrative studies if:

• You have diverse interests that span two or three academic disciplines and you want to blend these interests into one cohesive program
• You have a career interest in an emerging field that crosses academic disciplines, such as cultural heritage and resources management or marketing communications
• You want to advance in a non-traditional sector or start your own business

What can I do with a degree in Integrative Studies?
A Master of Science in integrative studies can lead to a multitude of career paths as well as entry into doctoral programs. The degree will meet the needs of students seeking knowledge for advancement in a specific industry, looking to move to an emerging field that is multidisciplinary or starting their own business. Employment outlook and salary information for these careers vary widely. A carefully designed plan of study will provide students with a unique combination of skills and knowledge that will be advantageous in the job market.

Marketing Communications
The messages and the media that businesses deploy to communicate with their target market can make or break their marketing efforts. In designing schemes for marketing products, a primary objective is to create and sustain demand and preference for the product. With the proliferation of traditional, as well as social media platforms, it is important for a company to strategically choose communication tools that will position the product or the company in the minds of the target customer.