About Public Health Sciences

Welcome to Public Health Sciences at Wichita State University!

Explore Health, Healthcare, and Human Performance with Us

Public Health Sciences (PHS) at Wichita State University offers students a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems, population health, and human movement. Students learn to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, benefiting communities locally, nationally, and globally. This hands-on approach gives students a competitive edge for careers in healthcare, health promotion, and human performance, as well as for advanced study in clinical and professional programs. 

Specialized Courses for Future Challenges

In addition to core coursework, PHS offers opportunities for specialized study in areas such as aging and public health. With options that emphasize health and well-being across the lifespan, students can explore the evolving needs of individuals and populations from early life through older adulthood. These courses help prepare students to address complex health challenges from multiple perspectives, including disease prevention, healthcare delivery, and healthy aging. Graduates are well equipped to make meaningful contributions across clinical and community health settings. 

Interdisciplinary Expertise

PHS brings together expertise across public health, healthcare systems, exercise science, business, and policy. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore how human health is influenced both inside and outside of clinical settings, from improving individual physical performance to strengthening healthcare organizations and population health outcomes. 

Flexible Educational Offerings

We offer flexible pathways to support students at every stage of their academic and professional journey, including an online degree completion option in Health Management designed for working professionals and transfer students. The department also provides certificates and applied learning opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience while advancing their education. Together, these options empower students to tailor their path toward careers in clinical care, healthcare leadership, and human performance. 

Certificates AIT Practicum Undergraduate Graduate

Prepare for Success

Upon graduation, students are well prepared for employment and leadership opportunities across the healthcare field. Through a combination of academic study and practical experience, PHS equips graduates with the skills needed to succeed in a range of professional roles. 

Mission and vision

The Department of Public Health Sciences shares the College of Health Professions vision to lead change in healthcare education.

Department mission

To prepare students to be clinical professionals and health services leaders.

B.S. in Health Sciences mission

Prepare students to pursue undergraduate or graduate clinical professional education.

B.S. in Health Management mission

The Health Management Program focuses on student success by developing students to be essential educational, cultural, and economic drivers in healthcare.

M.A. in Aging Studies mission

To provide knowledge of aging and its impact on individuals, families, and society to prepare students for or engaged in careers in which they will plan, manage, and deliver services for the aging through public or private sector organizations, agencies or institutions.

Master's in Health Administration mission

To cultivate leaders by providing dynamic didactic education and applied industry experiences to improve the health of the community and advance the delivery of services across health organizations.

B.S. and M.S. in Exercise Science mission

To prepare students for careers in exercise science as well as deliver tailored curriculum for those pursuing professional degrees in the health and fitness fields. Students are provided with quality instruction and practical experiences by faculty who engage in intellectual inquiry and service to the community and profession. The department also provides the university community with physical activity experiences and affords our students with the opportunity to engage in applied learning initiatives.

Learning outcomes

B.S. in Health Management

Communication: Apply appropriate interprofessional health communication strategies to develop and deliver oral, written, and electronic messages for professionals, patients, and community audiences.
Analytic Assessment: Use basic analytic tools to interpret healthcare data to improve decision-making and health outcomes.
Healthcare Policy and Administration: Apply foundational policy and administrative concepts to evaluate the local, national, and global healthcare strategies and systems
Evidence Based Practice and Quality Improvement: Execute evidence-based practice principles through locating, summarizing, and using research findings to address improvements to healthcare structures, processes, and outcomes.
Leadership and Management: Demonstrate leadership and management principles to address team-based challenges and problem-solving in healthcare.
Health Outcomes: Identify health-related social, cultural, and economic trends that impact population health.
Professionalism: Demonstrate responsibility, integrity, ethics, and dedication to lifelong learning.

B.S. in Health Science

Foundational Clinical Knowledge:  Demonstrate knowledge of foundational natural and physical sciences. 
Evidence-Based Practice: Analyze evidence to appraise clinical and patient outcomes. 
Healthcare Administration: Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system delivery and management. 
Public Health and Education: Identify strategies for protecting, promoting, and assuring population health outcomes.
Safe and Informed Care: : Identify methods to support quality population health outcomes for all. 
Interprofessionalism: Practice effective interprofessional communication and collaboration.

M.A. in Aging Studies

Distinguish between the key theories of aging.
Differentiate "normal" aging from disease or pathology.
Interpret key parameters of the Medicare program including policy approaches and coverage.
Identify factors responsible for uniqueness in each person's adult development.
Demonstrate communication skills, critical thinking, management of relationships, and analysis of information.
Assemble & analyze appropriate research to evaluate various aging perspectives in current literature.

Master's in Health Administration

Exhibit oral and written communication skills for diverse populations and environments.
Demonstrate competency in health leadership, management, and policy using systems thinking.
Demonstrate professionalism and knowledge of health care ethics, legal issues, stewardship, social justice, and lifelong learning.
Demonstrate an understanding of social, behavioral, cultural, economic, and environmental factors that impact the operations of health care organizations.
Develop skills and knowledge of the operation and value of strategic planning in health care settings.

National affiliations

The Bachelor of Science in Health Management (HM) program is member of the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) Higher Education Network. The HM program is currently seeking Association of Undergraduate Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) certification of the program.
The Master of Health Administration program is currently seeking accreditation through the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the accrediting body for graduate programs in healthcare management in the United States and Canada.
The Master of Arts in Aging Studies meets the standards for gerontology programs of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), the professional organization of post-secondary gerontology programs in the United States.
All our programs are affiliated with the Alpha Eta Honor Society. Graduates and faculty of all PHS degree programs who meet the requirements for membership can be nominated to be inducted as a chapter member.

About the department