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Prepare for a rewarding career addressing social, environmental, and behavioral factors that shape public health with a degree from William Paterson University. Our programs emphasize community public health practice, health equity, and a strong commitment to social justice, equipping students to address complex health challenges across diverse populations.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion provides a strong foundation in public health principles, health education, and community-based practice, preparing students for entry-level roles and continued study. The Master of Public Health (MPH) builds on this foundation with advanced, practice-oriented training in program planning, data analysis, leadership, and population health strategies, preparing graduates for professional roles and leadership positions across the public health workforce.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion and the Master of Public Health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health. This accreditation affirms that our programs meet rigorous academic and professional standards and prepare graduates to contribute effectively in today's evolving public health landscape.
Graduates are prepared to work in public health agencies, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, and community-based settings to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and advance health equity at the local, national, and global levels.
If you would like a copy of the CEPH accreditation report, please e-mail Dr. Naa-Solo Tettey tetteyn@wpunj.edu
Alumni in science and health are employed in or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Public health (NACE)
Noteworthy Public Health Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The BS in health studies is a general program that prepares students with the health knowledge and skills necessary to understand and navigate the U.S. healthcare system, to be an informed consumer of health information, and to critically assess personal health behavior, health status, and associated health risks. The health studies program is ideal for those who want to learn more about health and wellness, but who do not wish to pursue preparation in a specific health profession such as public health, health education, or nursing.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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The BS in Public Health Promotion is a professional preparation program that prepares students with the knowledge of public health practice, principles and methods, and the skills necessary to utilize these to improve the health of the public. The program prepares public health professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to function effectively in a public health setting and to attain the certified health education specialist (CHES) credential.
Health studies is a broad term used to describe the study of health issues and behaviors with an emphasis on health at the level of the individual. As our collective understanding of human health is continually evolving, the minor in health studies provides students with broad exposure to current and evidence-based content through a variety of personal health courses. Students who minor in health studies will explore content in several foundational areas of personal health and wellbeing, and may select elective courses based on personal interests and needs.
The minor in public health introduces students to the core content and functions of the field of public health. Students may select from a variety of elective courses to build a program that enhances the student's major area of study and matches the student's personal interests in the health field.
WP’s internationally recognized BS in public health promotion is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Students become oriented to the profession of health education through completion of a 9-credit full-time internship during their final semester, at which time they also take the national certification examination to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). A BS in health studies is also available, which is ideal for those who have an associate’s degree in an allied health discipline and wish to complete their bachelor’s degree, advance their current healthcare career, or pursue graduate study.
In our public health programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
With a bachelor’s degree in public health promotion and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification, career pathways include environmental health, substance abuse prevention, health services research, and health management. Students who continue public health study at the graduate level pursue careers in fields such as epidemiology or health administration.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Public health graduate currently pursuing the MPH at New York University
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
A new study led by William Paterson University public health professor Naa-Solo Tettey found that confidence, access to information, and familiarity with emergency response tools influence African Americans’ willingness to perform Hands-Only CPR during a cardiac emergency. The findings may help inform efforts to reduce longstanding racial disparities in survival rates following sudden cardiac arrest.
“With sudden cardiac arrest, health inequity can become fatal within minutes, and the study shows that saving lives requires more than awareness,” Tettey says. “Communities need trusted education, confidence building, and access to lifesaving tools like CPR training and AEDs (automated external defibrillators). The broader lesson is that health disparities are reduced when people are not only informed but also equipped and empowered to act.”
Her study analyzed survey responses from 372 adults who participated in HeartSmarts, a faith- and community-based cardiovascular health education program serving predominantly African Americans. Tettey is creator and director of the program, which launched in New York City and now serves communities throughout the Tri-State Area. Survey participants completed a Hands-Only CPR educational module and then answered questions about their confidence and willingness to respond during a cardiac emergency.Among the study's most significant findings was the role of fear-related barriers. Individuals frequently cited concerns about causing harm or performing CPR incorrectly.
“What surprised me was that even after Hands-Only CPR education, participants were still more comfortable helping a family member or friend than a stranger,” Tettey explains. “CPR training is meant to build confidence to act, but this finding shows that education alone may not fully overcome fear and hesitation. In many cardiac emergencies, survival depends on whether a stranger is willing to step in.”
The research also found that access to emergency preparedness resources, including AEDs and AED training, increased participants' confidence and willingness to help others in an emergency.
According to Tettey, the findings suggest that community-based education programs, culturally responsive health messaging, and expanded access to CPR and AED training can help build the confidence bystanders need to intervene when every second counts.
"The study highlights that CPR education must go beyond teaching the steps,” Tettey says. “People need training that addresses fear, uncertainty, legal concerns, and real-life hesitation. It also underscores the need for AEDs and emergency preparedness resources in the places where people live, work, worship, and gather. Preparedness should not depend on zip code.”
The study, titled "Reducing Racial Disparities in Bystander CPR: Psychological and Environmental Determinants of Hands-Only CPR Willingness in African American Communities," was co-authored by Holly Andersen of Weill Cornell Medical College. It was published April 22, 2026, in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
