Santa Clara University

What you'll study

The curriculum builds a broad public‑health foundation—epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and community health, health policy and ethics—while allowing focused study of veterinary epidemiology and the animal–human disease interface. You will study how infectious and non‑infectious threats move between animals and people, surveillance methods, outbreak investigation, and prevention strategies rooted in the One Health framework.

• Core public‑health modules: introductory epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioural determinants of health, health policy and ethics.
• Veterinary and One Health modules: zoonotic diseases, comparative pathology and microbiology, animal population health, veterinary public health policy, and One Health concepts linking human, animal and environmental health.
• Methods and practical skills: laboratory methods relevant to infectious disease, field epidemiology and outbreak investigation, geographic information systems (GIS) for disease mapping, data analysis using statistical software.
• Experiential learning: community‑based practicum or internship with public‑health departments, animal health agencies, wildlife organisations or research labs; a capstone project or senior thesis applying epidemiological methods to a veterinary public‑health question.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: courses from biology, environmental science, engineering, and ethics to support cross‑disciplinary problem solving in disease prevention and control.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requires completion of secondary education with strong performance in science subjects. Successful applicants usually have prior coursework or demonstrated competence in biology and mathematics; familiarity with statistics is an advantage. Admissions assesses academic record, personal statement, and letters of recommendation to gauge fit with Santa Clara’s Jesuit mission and emphasis on ethical public service.

• High school diploma or equivalent with strong grades, especially in biology and mathematics.
• Personal statement describing interest in public health, animal health and community service; evidence of relevant experience (e.g. volunteer work, internships, research) strengthens an application.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or supervisors who can speak to academic potential and commitment.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted tests or equivalent qualifications.
• Specific course prerequisites and testing policies may vary; applicants should check Santa Clara University’s admissions guidance for full details.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles at the intersection of human and animal health, and for further professional or graduate study. Common career destinations include public‑health agencies, animal health and agriculture departments, non‑governmental organisations, and diagnostic or research laboratories.

• Field epidemiologist or surveillance analyst supporting zoonotic disease monitoring.
• Veterinary public‑health technician or coordinator in government animal health services.
• Laboratory technician in clinical or research settings focusing on infectious agents.
• Program officer or policy analyst for One Health initiatives with NGOs or international organisations.
• Progression to graduate study—MPH, DVM, or research master’s/PhD—for clinical, research or leadership careers.

Why study at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara’s undergraduate programmes emphasise experiential learning, small class sizes and ethical engagement—features that support applied public‑health training. The university’s location in the Bay Area provides access to a dense network of public‑health departments, biotechnology firms, animal health research centres and conservation organisations for internships and collaborative projects.

• Hands‑on learning: practicum and capstone opportunities connect classroom theory with fieldwork and laboratory experience.
• Interdisciplinary environment: collaboration across biology, environmental science and engineering helps students tackle complex One Health problems.
• Community and ethical focus: the Jesuit educational tradition stresses social justice and ethical decision‑making in public‑health practice.
• Professional connections: proximity to regional public‑health agencies, research institutions and industry partners supports internships and career pathways.