The aim of the programs is to prepare a public health employee who, based on the acquired interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and social competence, will be able accomplish tasks related to recognition of major health threats, its protection and strengthening in healthcare institutions, state administration at all levels, local governments, universities, scientific and research institutes, as well as large industrial plants. The evolution of demands in the area of public health means that the potential scope of a graduate's activity should meet requirements shaped by the modern concept of public health in Poland and the EU member states.

The second-cycle public health studies are addressed to first-cycle graduates. During the second cycle studies a graduate receives extended, interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of social and medical sciences. This orientation provides the graduates with tools necessary to solve effectively diverse public health problems.

Particular emphasis is put on analytical skills, including identification of dependencies and conditions which affect the health of individuals and communities as related to demographic, economic, cultural and epidemiological changes occurring in the surrounding environment and the graduate's ability to manage them efficiently. A student may choose one of the following specializations:

1. occupational health and safety,
2. organization and management in healthcare,
3. environmental health and prevention of environmental diseases,

Specialization: occupational health and safety

A graduate of the occupational health and safety specialization:

1. has the knowledge of:
   1. legal grounds for organization and operation of the State Sanitary Inspection, especially in the field of sanitary supervision, hygiene and sanitary requirements for public facilities, workplaces, schools, including also municipal hygiene, monitoring systems and radiation hygiene arising from the Atomic Law Act,
   2. physiology and changes taking place in the human body to allow for the design and ergonomic modification of workplaces.
2. has skills in :
   1. practical use of empirical formulae and specialized equipment for assessment of the environmental impact on human body,
   2. determination of the conditions and design of ergonomic dimensions of the workplace and conditions for practice various forms of physical activity.
3. has social competence to:
   1. take executive positions and perform tasks related to occupational health protection,
   2. carry out comprehensive supervision of working conditions in various institutions and units, including multivariate and integrated assessment of exposure to harmful and dangerous factors at the workplace,
   3. preparation and implementation of employee training programs on proper performance of professional activities at the workplace, including the use of personal protective equipment,
   4. manage workplace risks and implement measures to improve the working conditions,
   5. prepare research and teaching programs in research institutes and universities implementing educational and scientific projects in this area.

Specialization: organization and management in healthcare

A graduate of the organization and management in healthcare specialization:

1. has the knowledge of:
   1. economic processes, methods of economic analysis used in healthcare, identification of factors affecting strategies of healthcare units and the principles of creating a business plan for an entity operating in the field of healthcare,
   2. priorities of the state health policy based on the National Health Program, the role of key participants in the decision-making process in the area of social and health policy,
   3. the grounds of constitutional, administrative, civil, labor and medical law and the European Union legal system in the field of the patient's rights.
2. has skills in:
   1. analyzing data on socio-economic phenomena having a direct or indirect impact on the health of a population, critically assesses major trends and projects in public health and health promotion in the local and nationwide context,
   2. independent analysis of economic phenomena occurring in the area of public health, and the determinants of the market activity of a healthcare establishment, using appropriate tools.
   3. assessment of marketing strategies and criteria of quality management systems used by healthcare units, combined with elements of human resources management,
   4. indication of supporting institutions for groups at risk of social exclusion (disabled people, the poor, ethnic minorities), as well as the principles of managing them, planning action strategies and financing.
3. has social competence to:
   1. administer and organize work in healthcare institutions, including healthcare companies, sanitary and epidemiological supervision, social and health insurers, National Health Fund, and to initiate and implement organizational and management projects,
   2. ensure effective cooperation with mass media, local communities, NGOs and institutions responsible for regional management,
   3. analyze the accounting data and apply techniques of financial analysis,
   4. undertake marketing activities in healthcare and in the area of social communication,
   5. work in research institutes and universities carrying out research and teaching programs in this area.

Specialization: environmental health and prevention of environmentally dependent diseases

A graduate of the environmental health and prevention of environmentally dependent diseases specialization:

1.  has the knowledge of:
   1. environmental health threats in the 21st century,
   2. health risk factors identified and defined by science and occurring in the human habitat,
   3. cause and effect relationships between exposure to negative environmental factors and the health status of a population.
2. has skills in:
   1. the use of theoretical knowledge, observation and interpretation of phenomena concerning the health of the population, deepened and enriched by clarifying mutual relationship between health and environmental health risk factors.
   2. developing preventive programs, including those based on primary prevention, affecting the entire population or a significant part of it, and covering the earliest actions aimed at preventing disease or reducing the risk of development.
3. has social competence to:
   1. ensure application of environmental prevention programs in selected social groups

A graduate showing the acquired knowledge and may seek employment in:

• Local and Regional Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations.
• Healthcare establishments (primary and secondary health care).
• Educational boards and other educational institutions.
• The State Sanitary Inspection.
• State Inspectorate for Environmental Protection.
• Public administration supervising the work of health and environment protection bodies.
• Administrative bodies carrying out preventive programs.
• Research institutes.