Frequently Asked Questions

The Davidson College Department of Public Health was established in 2021. Engaging with students, faculty, and staff across Davidson, DPH focuses on interdisciplinary undergraduate public health education, grounded in the liberal arts. A Davidson College public health education draws from the theoretical and methodological frameworks from diverse academic disciplines, highlighting biological, economic, ethical, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions of contemporary public health problems and the strategies used to understand and address them. DPH places particular emphasis on how structural inequality shapes public health problems.

There are many ways to become involved in this young and vibrant department:

• Take a class in the Department of Public Health - There are many courses in which students can explore different facets of public health, from foundational courses like PBH 280 - Introduction to Global Health (=SOC 280), to seminars including PBH 354 - Medical Rehabilitation and Disability (=PSY 354) or PBH 309 - Water and Health.
• Get involved in DPH co-curricular activities - DPH regularly hosts includes student engagement activities, including visits from leaders in public health, roundtables with faculty, events where you can engage with other students interested in public health, opportunities to meet with representatives from graduate schools or experiential learning opportunities. The best way to keep informed about these activities is to sign up for the Public Health Interest Outlook 365 Group & Email List
• Consider an interdisciplinary minor in public health - The interdisciplinary public health minor is among the most popular at Davidson College. One of the reasons is that it allows students to maximize the interdisciplinary strengths of Davidson College to combine a major in the humanities, natural or social sciences with study in public health. Public Health minors have gone on to graduate and professional school study in public health or clinical medicine, as well as positions in public health and other facets of healthcare and research. Students considering a minor should talk to DPH faculty and staff, and when ready to go forward, make an appointment with the chair to discuss declaring a minor.
• Explore the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Center-Established major - The new CIS Center Established major provides an opportunity for selected students to undertake an undergraduate major in public health. The CIS Public Health major involves considerable independence and differs from a Department Major in important ways. For some students, this is a wonderful match. The process of considering a CIS CE Public Health major involves intensive analysis of a student’s goals, approach, and preferences, the major’s potential pros and cons in relation to the student’s goals, and considerable advance planning.

The interdisciplinary public health minor is among the most popular at Davidson College. One of the reasons is that it allows students to maximize the interdisciplinary strengths of Davidson College to combine a major in the humanities, natural or social sciences with study in public health.

Public Health minors have gone on to graduate and professional school study in public health or clinical medicine, as well as positions in public health and other facets of healthcare and research.

Students considering a minor should talk to DPH faculty and staff, and when ready to go forward, make an appointment with the chair to discuss declaring a minor.

The new CIS Center Established major provides an opportunity for selected students to undertake an undergraduate major in public health. The CIS Public Health major involves considerable independence and differs from a Department Major in important ways. For some students, this is a wonderful match. The process of considering a CIS CE Public Health major involves intensive analysis of a student’s goals, approach, and preferences, the major’s potential pros and cons in relation to the student’s goals, and considerable advance planning. More information about initial and later steps in considering a CIS major are below.

In contemplating a CIS Center Established Major, students should meet with DPH faculty early in their sophomore year to discuss their interests and goals. As students consider and engage with dialogue with DPH faculty about a possible major, they will analyze:

• Whether the CIS Center Established major is a good match for the student’s goals, learning style, and other commitments.
• Other possible majors they might undertake as part of a Davidson education that furthers their interest in public health and their other goals.
• The pros and cons of a CIS Center Established major for the student.
• The implications of the fact that the number of students who can undertake the CIS Interdisciplinary major is limited.
• The process for applying.

Students considering a public health major through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) are encouraged to meet with DPH faculty and the chair of the Department of Public Health early in their considerations.

A meeting with the chair must occur in advance of the CIS application deadline. Students are encouraged to complete this meeting by the end of September of their sophomore year to ensure that they understand the process, have fully considered the major, and have completed all required steps in advance of the deadline. Students are encouraged to review the application form and other information about the CIS major early in the process to help with consideration and planning.

Students are also encouraged to meet with the CIS director.

Students considering a public health minor should email us at publichealth@davidson.edu for next steps and to schedule an advising appointment with DPH faculty and staff.  Then go to the Registrar’s Office forms page and select the link to the o completing the minor declaration form.

Meet the Department of Public Health faculty and staff team.