University of Texas

What you'll study

The Bachelor in Public Health with a focus on Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health provides foundational public health theory and quantitative methods alongside targeted study of animal health, zoonoses and disease transmission between animals and humans. You will study core public health subjects such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, health policy and health promotion, and then take specialised modules that examine veterinary public health topics.

• Core public health modules – introductory epidemiology and study design, biostatistics and data analysis, social determinants of health, health systems and health policy, and environmental health.
• Veterinary epidemiology and One Health – principles of veterinary epidemiology, zoonotic disease ecology, surveillance and outbreak investigation for animal-origin infections, and One Health approaches to prevention and control.
• Laboratory and field methods – laboratory diagnostics fundamentals, sampling strategies, molecular testing basics, geographic information systems (GIS) for disease mapping and spatial epidemiology.
• Applied and elective topics – food safety and biosecurity, antimicrobial resistance in animal production, wildlife health, production animal medicine basics, and global health infectious disease modules.
• Research, practicum and capstone – a research methods module, supervised research project or literature-based capstone on a veterinary public health topic, and opportunities for placements with public health departments, veterinary services, laboratories or NGOs.

Entry requirements

Applicants are typically expected to hold a secondary-school qualification comparable to a high-school diploma with strong performance in science subjects. Recommended preparation includes biology and chemistry at higher secondary level and competence in mathematics or statistics.

• Academic background: good grades in science subjects, especially biology and chemistry. Prior coursework in maths/statistics is advantageous.
• Personal statement and references: evidence of interest in public health, animal health, or One Health, and any relevant volunteering, work experience or extracurricular activity.
• Tests and interviews: some campuses may consider standardised test scores or require an interview for shortlisted applicants; international applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.
• Progression pathways: students often enter with a general public health intent and may transfer into the veterinary epidemiology concentration after meeting programme progression criteria or completing specified prerequisites.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles at the intersection of human and animal health. Career paths include disease surveillance officer, field epidemiologist/technician, public health analyst working on zoonotic threats, laboratory or diagnostic technician, food safety inspector, biosecurity advisor in agriculture, and roles in NGOs or international health agencies.

Many students use the degree as a springboard to further professional training—common next steps include veterinary school (DVM), a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a focus on epidemiology or One Health, or postgraduate research in infectious disease and zoonoses. Employers include government public health and agricultural agencies, animal health services, diagnostic laboratories, international organisations, and conservation and wildlife health programmes.

Why study at University of Texas

The University of Texas offers strong interdisciplinary links across public health, veterinary science partners and research institutes, providing access to laboratories, applied field projects and collaborations with state public health and agricultural agencies. Students benefit from faculty expertise in infectious disease, epidemiology and One Health, as well as opportunities for practical placements in urban and rural settings across the state.

Facilities frequently include applied epidemiology training, GIS resources, and partnerships that support student research and internships. The programme emphasises practical skills—surveillance, outbreak investigation, laboratory awareness and data analysis—preparing graduates to address real-world challenges at the animal–human health interface.