Doane University

What you'll study

The programme blends core public health training with targeted coursework in animal health, disease ecology and surveillance. You will study foundational topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health and health policy alongside specialised subjects including veterinary epidemiology, zoonoses, disease surveillance systems, outbreak investigation and One Health principles.

• Foundations of Public Health: introductory public health concepts, ethics, health promotion and population health frameworks.
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics: study design, measures of disease frequency and association, basic statistical methods for public health data, and interpretation of surveillance data.
• Veterinary Epidemiology & Zoonoses: transmission dynamics of animal-associated infections, pathogen reservoirs, host–pathogen interactions and control strategies for zoonotic diseases.
• Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation: principles and tools for monitoring animal and human diseases, case investigation methods, contact tracing and response planning.
• Laboratory and Field Methods: laboratory safety, sample collection and diagnostic basics relevant to veterinary public health, plus hands-on field techniques for sampling and data collection.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Health: spatial analysis of disease patterns, mapping outbreaks and integrating environmental data.
• Policy, Economics and One Health: regulatory frameworks, risk communication, the economics of disease control and interdisciplinary approaches integrating human, animal and environmental health.
• Practicum and Capstone Project: applied internship with a public health, veterinary or environmental partner and a culminating research or policy project addressing a real-world veterinary public health problem.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent with a strong academic record. Recommended preparation includes coursework in biology, chemistry and mathematics (especially statistics or algebra). Admissions typically consider grades, a personal statement outlining interest in One Health or public health, and letters of recommendation. Practical experience such as volunteer work or a relevant internship can strengthen an application. Candidates planning to progress to graduate training (for example, MPH or DVM) should be prepared to demonstrate quantitative and scientific readiness.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles where animal and human health intersect as well as for further professional or graduate study. Typical entry-level positions include disease surveillance technician, public health outreach coordinator, laboratory assistant, animal health inspector, and research technician in university or government labs. With experience or postgraduate qualifications graduates may move into epidemiologist roles, outbreak response specialist positions, policy analyst jobs in government or international organisations, and roles with non-governmental organisations focused on zoonotic disease prevention and food safety. The programme also provides a strong foundation for veterinary medicine (DVM), master’s degrees in public health or epidemiology, and careers in academia or research.

Why study at Doane University

Doane’s small-class environment emphasises close faculty mentorship, applied learning and interdisciplinary collaboration—advantages when studying a cross-cutting field like veterinary epidemiology and public health. The university’s liberal arts foundation supports strong communication and critical-thinking skills, while science and health courses are structured to include lab and field experiences. Students benefit from opportunities for internships with local and regional public health agencies, agricultural organisations and research projects, enabling practical experience in surveillance, outreach and outbreak investigation. Faculty with backgrounds in biology, public health and related sciences guide students through practicum placements and capstone research, helping prepare graduates for careers and further professional study in One Health fields.