Purdue University Department of Public Health: A Brief History

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu

Although Public Health is the newest department in the College of Health and Human Sciences, its history goes back to its original home in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, where the program offered a bachelor’s degree option as well as a master’s degree option, beginning in 2006.

However, the start of the College of Health and Human Sciences in 2010 led to discussions of the need for a world-class university to address the critical needs of public health. In doing so, the college developed the Public Health Graduate Program in 2014, which aimed to provide likeminded students with academic options and career paths for improving all aspects of the healthcare system. Richard Mattes, distinguished professor of nutrition science, directed the program, which offered three tracks, one of which was a combined degree that allowed undergraduate students to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at an accelerated pace.

In 2019, the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a new Department of Public Health with Mattes as the head. The new department became home to the undergraduate public health program, which was moved to the College of Health and Human Sciences from the Department of Health and Kinesiology, as well as the college’s Public Health Graduate Program. Read more about the realignment.

Since its inception, the Department of Public Health has experienced steady growth, expanding its academic offerings and research initiatives to advance population health both nationally and globally.

The year 2021 marked a period of significant expansion. The department welcomed its inaugural cohort of Public Health PhD students and launched a fully online Master of Health Administration (MHA) program to meet the evolving needs of health care administrators. Purdue’s MHA program equips students with essential business acumen, a deep understanding of the health care regulatory environment and strategic planning skills to help organizations remain competitive in a dynamic industry. The program is currently pursuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education. Additionally, five new assistant professors were recruited in 2021 and joined the department in 2022, bringing expertise in epidemiology, health policy, sexual and reproductive health, and global health.

In 2024, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program was reaccredited by the Council on Education for Public Health for the maximum term of seven years. This accreditation affirms the program’s commitment to rigorous academic standards and its effectiveness in preparing students for careers in public health. Building on this momentum, the department introduced a new epidemiology concentration, which is available in both residential and online formats. A concentration in One Health is also in development, with a planned launch in 2026.