Arnold School of Public Health

Arnold School of Public Health
Name	Arnold School of Public Health
Established	1975
Type	Public
Parent	University of South Carolina
Dean	Thomas Chandler
City	Columbia, South Carolina
Country	United States
Website	https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/public_health/

Arnold School of Public Health is a prominent academic unit of the University of South Carolina located in Columbia, South Carolina. Established in 1975, it has grown into a comprehensive institution dedicated to education, research, and community engagement in the field of public health. The school is named in honor of Norman J. Arnold, a notable South Carolina businessman and philanthropist whose support was instrumental in its development. It is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and is a member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.

History

The school's origins trace back to the early 1970s with the formation of a Department of Health Sciences within the University of South Carolina. In 1975, it was formally established as the School of Public Health, with foundational support from key figures including university president James B. Holderman. A significant transformative gift from Norman J. Arnold and his family in 1998 led to the school being renamed in his honor. Throughout its history, the school has expanded its academic portfolio and research footprint, notably establishing the state's first Doctor of Public Health program and playing a critical role during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina.

Academic programs

The Arnold School offers a wide array of degree programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. These include a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, several Master of Public Health concentrations, a Master of Science, a Doctor of Philosophy, and the state's only Doctor of Public Health degree. The school is organized into departments including the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, the Department of Exercise Science, and the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Many programs maintain specialized accreditation from bodies like the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Research centers and institutes

Research is conducted through numerous dedicated centers and institutes that address state, national, and global health challenges. Major units include the Cancer Prevention and Control Program, the Prevention Research Center, the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, and the Center for Public Health Preparedness. The school also houses the Institute for Families in Society and the Office for the Study of Aging. These entities frequently collaborate with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization on projects ranging from obesity prevention to health disparities.

Faculty and leadership

The school's faculty comprises nationally recognized researchers and educators, including fellows of the American College of Epidemiology and the American Academy of Health Behavior. Leadership has included deans such as Harris Pastides, who later served as president of the University of South Carolina, and the current dean, Thomas Chandler. Faculty members have received prestigious awards from organizations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and hold significant editorial positions on journals such as the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.

Campus and facilities

The Arnold School is primarily housed in the Discovery I building on the university's Columbia campus, a facility designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. It also operates specialized laboratories including the Body Composition Laboratory, the Physical Activity and Public Health Laboratory, and the Water Quality Laboratory. The school manages the USC Aquatic Research Center and has a presence at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine campus, facilitating partnerships with clinical entities like Prisma Health.

Notable alumni and achievements

Alumni of the Arnold School hold influential positions worldwide, including leadership roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health departments like the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and international NGOs. The school is recognized for its research impact, consistently ranking high in National Institutes of Health funding among public health schools. Notable achievements include pioneering work in HIV/AIDS prevention, foundational studies on physical activity and health, and the development of the nationally implemented VERB™ Campaign to promote youth activity.

Category:University of South Carolina Category:Public health schools in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1975 Category:Columbia, South Carolina