Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Explore the Public Health Major
At MSU Denver, a degree in public health will give you a broad understanding of the field and experience in focused specialties of practice.
By completing the program core, students gain skills to understand basic public health functions such as monitoring and assessing the health of communities, identifying health problems and priorities, and implementing evidence-based strategies to promote population health, as well as advanced functions such as planning various health programs and policies to serve the Healthcare needs in the community.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Public Health include:
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Career Development
Click here to learn more about each essential skill.
Students graduating from Public Health often find themselves working in public and private sectors at an entry level positions, such as health education & behavioral sciences, infectious disease and public policy.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Students who choose to pursue a graduate degree often consider these pathways:
- Masters in Public Health
- Masters of Health Administration
- Graduate programs in Public Administration, Nutrition and Social Work
Click here to learn more about applying to graduate school.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Attend orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor.
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Visit the Health Professions department in person (Central Building 220) or via website.
- Explore different degree pathways within the department.
- Familiarize yourself with the Student Hub and your Degree Progress Report.
- Explore student groups, clubs, and attend a campus event.
- Connect with a current student or faculty member for coffee.
- Explore professional associations connected to your interests.
- Begin to explore possible career pathways.
- Add courses to begin building essential skills like PUB 1000 Intro to Public Health and HCM 2010 Global Health Systems
- Develop and refine your digital skills to navigate the learning platform (Canvas) and interact with the Navigate platform to schedule advising.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Explore scholarship and/or financial aid opportunities
- Explore Study Abroad &/or Student Travel Opportunities.
- Meet with a department advisor to choose a major and/or minor. Consider enhancing your academic portfolio (i.e. badges, certificates, pathway).
- Join student groups, clubs, and volunteer at a campus event.
- Attend department events, and professional conferences.
- Check out University resources (Auraria Library, Writing Center, Health Center, Counseling Center).
- Seek out academic and industry mentors.
- Discuss degree progress and senior experience options with a faculty advisor.
- Consider graduate school or other postgraduate training.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Explore What to Do in your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Participate in a Study Abroad course &/or Student Travel Opportunities.
- Apply for Senior Experience.
- Meet with a department advisor to discuss progress to completion and apply for graduation.
- Join national professional organizations or subscribe to affiliated publications/newsletters.
- Attend local cultural events (theatre, museums, visiting lectures)
- Offer to mentor a new student, become a class teaching assistant, showcase your research, guest lecture for a local group/school or lower-division course.
- Visit C2Hub to create a resume and/or academic CV/professional portfolio.
- Apply for apprenticeships, fellowship, and/or entry level positions.
- Research and consider applying for graduate school, connect with your faculty for recommendation letters.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub and utilize their resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine your need for a Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Follow Us
Contact the Department of Health Professions
Connect with Us
Phone: 303-615-1200
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Central Classroom Building 220
1055 10th Street, Ste. 220, Denver, CO 80204