Dean's Message
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the College of Public Health at East Tennessee
State University.
While we are a fully accredited school of public health, we believe that we offer
a definably different approach to the educational process.
Specifically, in each of our programs, we strive to achieve three distinct attributes:
1. Student Centered.
We are strongly committed to assuring the quality of the student experience. Wtih programs that have twice won the Delta Omega Award for the most innovative curriculum, we are committed to, we recognize, and we reward excellence in teaching and innovation. The size of our program facilitates a high level of student- faculty interaction and enhances hands-on involvement with community service and research projects.You will find our costs are among the most competitive in the country. With opportunities for graduate assistant funding, out-of-state scholarships, and special rates for on-line students, we are committed to providing a world-class product at an affordable price.
2. Community Focused.
Starting with a minor in health in the 1930s and a Bachelor's degree in Health Education in 1955, and hosting the nation's oldest EHAC- accredited environmental health program, the college has a long history of addressing the health challenges of people living in rural areas, especially those in central Appalachia.
Our major research centers are all focused on issues of direct relevance to the people of rural America: addiction science, women's health, rural health, cardiovascular health, and tobacco research.
3. Real-World Tested.
We have a very strong commitment to assuring that our programs really prepare students for the current and future job market. We regularly survey our alumni, our graduating students, our preceptors, and employers and collect data from leaders in each of our professional disciplines
- Over the last 9 years, with about 1,000 students reporting, 95.7% would recommend the college.
- Over the last 7 years, with about 600 alumni reporting, 96.2% were satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experience.
- Over the last 8 years, with over 200 employers reporting, 94% rate our students as high or highest in overall competency in their field of study.
- Over the last 4 years, with about 300 graduates, 19% of health sciences graduates are in medical school, 20% in graduate school, 11% in physician assistant school, and 11% in pharmacy school.
Our over-arching vision is to be The school of choice for students who want an exceptional educational experience in a world-class environment.
World-class environment not only defines the working culture of our college, it also includes the remarkably beautiful lake and mountain region, proving that excellent academics can go hand-in-hand with an outstanding quality of life.
There has never been a more important time to address the public health challenges of the region, the nation, or the world. I applaud you for your commitment to improving the health and the lives of other people, and wish you the very best for the future.
If you have any questions, please give us a call, or, better yet, pay us a visit.
Best wishes,
Randy Wykoff, MD, MPH &TM
Dean, College of Public Health