Busting 4 common myths about majoring in public health as an undergraduate at Michigan
By Emily J. Youatt, Senior Director of Undergraduate Education, Clinical Associate Professor of HBHE
Considering public health and curious about what it entails? Here’s what you need to know.
If you’re considering public health as your major at the University of Michigan, you might have questions about what the field really offers. With so much information floating around—some accurate, some not quite right—it is natural to wonder what studying public health is actually like.
As the senior director of the undergraduate education program here at the School of Public Health, I love sharing the reality of what makes this field so exciting and full of possibilities..
Myth #1: Public health is a narrow field with limited opportunities
The reality: This couldn’t be further from the truth. Public health is incredibly expansive, which can actually feel a bit intimidating if you’re someone who prefers a straightforward career checklist. But that breadth is also public health’s greatest strength.
Are you passionate about the hard sciences? There’s a place for you in epidemiology, nutrition, or biostatistics. More interested in political science or policy work? Health management and policy might be your calling. Concerned about climate change? Environmental health sciences addresses those challenges head-on. Driven by social justice? Health behavior and health equity work directly tackles systemic inequalities.
The truth is, if you care about improving lives and communities, there’s a space in public health for you—no matter what your other interests or background might be.
Myth #2: You should have started preparing to major in public health as a freshman
The reality: This is simply not true, and here’s why: Most students don’t even know what public health is when they arrive at the University of Michigan, let alone that they can major in it.
Even if you’re midway through your sophomore year—students majoring in public health apply for the upper-level program as sophomores—it’s absolutely not too late to consider public health as your major. The field welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds, and your previous coursework likely provides valuable perspective that will enhance your public health education.
Your journey doesn’t have to follow a predetermined timeline. Some of our most successful students discovered public health after their freshman year and brought fresh insights from their varied experiences.
Myth #3: Undergraduate public health students can’t study abroad
The reality: In every single cohort of public health students, we have students who study abroad—and we encourage it! Studying abroad offers an incredible opportunity to gain different perspectives on public health challenges and solutions while experiencing another part of the world.
Global health issues require global perspectives, and there’s no better way to develop that understanding than through immersive international experiences. While spring and summer terms tend to work out best logistically with our curriculum requirements, we work with students to make their study abroad dreams a reality.
All School of Public Health students are eligible to participate in Central for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) programs. Whether you’re interested in examining healthcare systems in Scandinavia, studying infectious disease prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, or exploring environmental health policies in Asia, studying abroad can be a transformative part of your public health education.
And hot off the presses: Michigan Public Health is launching its first in–house study abroad program in Summer 2026. Students will have the opportunity to study the social determinants of health and reproductive rights in Dublin, Ireland.
Myth #4: You can’t pursue dual degrees while at Michigan Public Health
The reality: Dual degree programs are definitely an option for public health students! We regularly see students successfully combine their Michigan Public Health degree with programs across campus, including the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), and the Ross School of Business. Public health majors also pursue a wide range of undergraduate minors, from Spanish to Gender and Health, to quantitative methods in social sciences.
These combinations create incredibly well-rounded professionals. Imagine pairing public health with business to tackle healthcare administration challenges, or combining it with engineering to address environmental health issues, or linking it with social work to strengthen community health programs.
The truth about public health at Michigan
The real story about studying public health at the University of Michigan is one of opportunity, flexibility and impact. This field needs diverse thinkers, varied backgrounds and fresh perspectives to tackle complex health challenges facing our communities.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re deep into your undergraduate career and considering a change, public health offers pathways to meaningful work that can truly change lives—including your own.
Ready to learn more about public health opportunities at Michigan Public Health? Explore our undergraduate programs and discover how you can be part of the solution to today’s most pressing health challenges.
About the Author
Emily J. Youatt
Senior Director of Undergraduate Education
University of Michigan School of Public Health
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