Public Health: B.S.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Public Health is a 124-credit program designed to serve students who are interested in working in the diverse field of public health or prepare students for graduate school. The program is structured around courses that address fundamental aspects of public health to prevent and protect the health of communities while addressing the health needs of various communities.

The B.S. in Public Health is guided by the competencies model from the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Undergraduate Learning Outcomes model. The curriculum is focused on equipping students with fundamental skills (e.g., policy, epidemiology, statistics) through core courses. Once the foundational knowledge and skills are met, students have the opportunity to customize their courses to match their educational and career goals.  Students will have the option of completing the degree program through various delivery modes such as online, independent study, blended, and/or face-to-face study.

Students completing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health will be able to:

  1. Discuss the key fundamental public health values, concepts, and functions.
  2. Evaluate the social determinants of health and equity on population health and health disparities.
  3. Analyze the role played by biological, social, environmental, cultural, and economic factors in shaping human health and disease.
  4. Apply public health data analytical principles to health-related issues.
  5. Explain the legal and ethical aspects of public health practice; and,
  6. Evaluate public health research and policy interventions.

Program Details

Core Requirements
BIOL 1200Biology I with Lab4
BIOL 1201Biology II with Lab4
MATH 1065Statistics4
or SOSC 2010 Statistics for the Social Sciences
HLAD 2010The United States Health Systems4
HLAD 3045Healthcare Ethics4
PAFF 2132Introduction to Public Policy4
HLAD 3122Principles of Public Health4
HLAD 3005Community Health4
HLAD 3015Comparative Health Systems4
HLAD 3040Health Disparities4
HSCI 4200Epidemiology4
HLAD 4015Healthcare Policy4
or HUSV 4050 Social Policy Analysis
Two additional upper division electives8
Total Credits56
Possible Upper Division Elective Courses
ADDS 3005Interventions for Substance Use Disorders4
ANTH 3025Health & Illness in Global Perspective4
CHFS 3015Child Welfare in the United States4
CHFS 3050Interpersonal Violence4
CUST 4020Medical Humanities4
DISB 3025Psychosocial Impact of Illness & Disability4
ECON 3055Economic Issues in Health Care4
ENSC 3304Environmental Health4
FSMA 3025Healthcare Finance4
HLAD 3020Cultural Competency in Health Care4
HLAD 3035Community Health Education and Communication4
HLAD 3127Infections and Epidemics: Biocultural Perspectives4
HSCI 3200Health Informatics4
HUSV 3068Social Welfare Policy4
INMS 4030Women Health & Globalization4
LEST 3015Mental Health & The Law4
NURS 3035Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health4
PSYC 3090Health Psychology4
SOCI 3010Aging & Society4
SOSC 3010Family Violence: Legal & Social Perspectives4

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to discuss the key fundamental public health values, concepts, and functions.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the social determinants of health and equity on population health and health disparities.
  • Students will be able to analyze the role played by biological, social, environmental, cultural, and economic factors in shaping human health and disease.
  • Students will be able to apply public health data analytical principles to health-related issues.
  • Students will be able to explain the legal and ethical aspects of public health practice.
  • Students will be able to evaluate public health research and policy interventions.