If you want a job protecting the health of people and the communities where they live, a bachelor’s in public health (BPH) could be a fit for you. With Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Public Health programs both available, you can find an option that suits your interests and prepares you to enter the field.
This page will walk you through the basics of bachelor’s in public health degree programs, explain what you’ll study and discuss possible career opportunities.
Is Public Health Right for You?
People who are interested in health and well-being, driven to help others and are drawn to research, education or policy making may consider earning a BPH. A bachelor’s degree in public health delves into a variety of topics, from building emergency preparedness plans to addressing health disparities. Taking public health coursework during your bachelor’s degree program can be an excellent way to determine if public health is the right career field for you.
More broadly, it’s crucial to understand that research and education are important components of the profession. Part of your job as a public health professional may involve transforming scientific findings into usable, easy-to-understand material that can be used to develop public health policies and programs, and inform the communities you are serving.
For those who are interested in the field, but are uncertain about pursuing it professionally, taking undergraduate public health courses may help you make up your mind. You can explore the Public Health 101 Series put together by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) courses typically focus on the natural sciences. Graduates with a BS in Public Health or BSPH may pursue a variety of science-based careers in the clinical field, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and research. Students will cover much of what’s included in BA programs while also completing coursework in math, statistics, health informatics, or chemistry. BS students may also have an interest in working in laboratory settings after they start their careers.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Health
A Bachelor of Arts in Public Health is generally designed for students with an interest in the socio-cultural, socio-economical, and health policy aspects of public health. While focusing on many of the same areas as its Bachelor of Science counterpart, a BA in Public Health puts greater emphasis on the social sciences. In practice, that could involve human behavior and development, social studies, and environmental health—as well as more general topics like politics and law.
Bachelor’s in Public Health (BPH) Degree and Curriculum
What exactly does a bachelor’s in public health cover? The answer to that question depends on your chosen institution and specialization, but you’ll study a range of topics in both science and the humanities.
Typical Prerequisites for a BPH Program
Though the specifics depend on the university, many bachelor’s in public health degree programs have similar admissions requirements. In most cases, you’ll begin by applying for general admission to the university of your choice. Once accepted, you may contact the school to inquire about the specifics of the program admissions.
Many universities require high school transcripts (often with a GPA of 3.0), either an SAT or ACT score, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. A personal statement may also be required for admission into the public health program specifically.
Concentration Options in BPH
Once you’ve gotten familiar with the basics of the field, a bachelor’s in public health offers a number of public health specializations. Broadly, these are divided by degree type: a BA or a BS in Public Health.
BA candidates tend to focus more on the social sciences, with specializations covering areas like health education, community health promotion, and global health. Conversely, BS students are likely to specialize in science and statistics, studying research methods, epidemiology, and health disparities.
BS in Public Health programs generally don’t require an individual to choose a concentration. But if you’re hoping to obtain a more niche education, picking a specialization may help you do that. If you have one in mind, do your research to make sure your desired program offers it—some specializations are only available at the master’s level, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH).
Typical BPH Curriculum and Courses
Though curricula vary between institutions and specializations, bachelor’s in public health students can expect to graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to address many of modern society’s fundamental public health challenges. As with many undergraduate programs, students will begin by taking general education courses, for example in biology or anatomy.
The specifics vary by university, but once you choose to major in public health, you’ll take introductory classes across a range of topics, including the history of public health, environmental health, and epidemiology.
After successfully completing these courses, you’ll be able to move on to more advanced study. At this point, choosing a concentration is sometimes required. In general, these courses may cover health psychology and behavior, or health management. Other concentrations go beyond the discipline itself, teaching students about public health education or administration.
Toward the end of your undergraduate degree, you may also be required to complete an internship or capstone project, but this varies by institution.
Traditional vs. Online BPH Programs
While some think it may lack the interactive environment of traditional BPHs, the online bachelor’s in public health comes with some benefits. Like other online degrees, this starts with flexibility. Since many courses are available part-time, you can comfortably balance school and work.
An online program also lets you live at home and potentially save money on travel. And for candidates craving more interactive learning, some online programs offer in-person components too. Whatever path you choose, remember that online and traditional Bachelor’s in Public Health programs normally share similar curricula, so you won’t miss out if you decide to study online.
Frequently Asked Questions on Bachelor’s in Public Health Programs
Identifying the right bachelor’s in public health for you, can be confusing. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions—and answers to help you as you make a decision.
Normally, a BS and BA in public health cover many of the same areas. However, there may be slight differences when it comes to advanced study courses and specializations. In general, BA programs focus more on the social sciences, while BS courses focus on natural and environmental public health sciences—preparing graduates for a variety of jobs in the clinical sphere and beyond.
BPH graduates may work in community education and research. A few common roles for those starting out in the field include research assistant, community educator, and community surveyor. A job in the public sector may also be a viable option. Some individuals use their BPH as a platform for continuing education in medical school, nursing school, or pharmacy school. BPH graduates might also decide to pursue a master’s degree in public health. An online MPH program may allow you to work while studying.
There are plenty of factors to consider before committing to a BPH program. For example, think about choosing a program that offers specializations you’re interested in. You may also want to explore tuition costs, the institution’s reputation, and whether they offer an online BPH degree.
The specifics vary by institution, but BPH programs may require SAT scores (though ACT scores are sometimes accepted too). In certain cases, a university will waive this requirement because of your specific circumstances.
Bachelor’s in Public Health Programs List
Below, you will find a list of available Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Public Health programs that are accredited by CEPH.
Institution | Type of Degree | Concentrations (If Offered) | Format |
---|---|---|---|
American University Washington D.C. |
BA, BS | Contact school | Traditional |
Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI |
BSPH | Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Environmental Health | Traditional |
Appalachian State University Boone, NC |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Arcadia University Philadelphia, PA |
BSPH | Global Health | Traditional |
Baylor University Waco, TX |
BSPH | Community Health Education | Traditional |
Brigham Young University Provo, UT |
BS | Environmental & Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Health Science | Traditional |
Brown University Providence, RI |
AB, ScB | Statistics | Traditional |
California Baptist University Riverdale, CA |
BSPH | N/A | Online |
California State University, Northridge Northridge, CA |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI |
BA, BAA, BS | N/A | Traditional |
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Los Angeles, CA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA |
BA, BSPH | Global Health | Traditional |
East Carolina University Greenville, NC |
BSPH | Community Health, Pre-Health, Worksite Health | Traditional |
East Stroudsburg University East Stroudsburg, PA |
BSPH | Community Health Education, Health Services Administration, Health Education | Traditional |
East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN |
BS, BSPH | Health Administration, Health Sciences: Human Health, Microbiology, Public Health: Community Health, Environmental Health | Traditional |
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY |
BS | Community Health, Pre-Professional | Traditional |
Florida International University Miami, FL |
BA | Disaster Management, Dietetics & Nutrition, Social Work | Traditional |
George Mason University Fairfax, VA |
BS in Community Health | Global Health, Clinical Science | Traditional |
George Washington University Washington, D.C. |
BS | Nutrition Science, Exercise Science | Traditional |
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA |
BSPH | Environmental Health Sciences, Global Health, Health Education & Promotion | Traditional |
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Illinois State University Normal, IL |
BS | Health Promotion & Education | Traditional |
Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN |
BS, BSPH | Health Data Science, Health Services Management, Community Health, Epidemiology, Global Health | Traditional |
Indiana University at Bloomington Bloomington, IN |
BS, BSPH | Community Health, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Fitness & Wellness, Applied Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation | Traditional |
Jackson State University Jackson, MS |
BS | Communicative Disorders, Healthcare Administration, Social Work | Traditional |
Kent State University Kent, OH |
BSPH | Allied Health, Clinical Trials Research, Community-based Public Health, Environmental & Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health Science, Global Health, Health Promotion & Education, Health Services Administration, Pre-Medicine | Online, Traditional |
La Salle University Philadelphia, PA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA |
BS | Health Promotion, Pre-Clinical | Traditional |
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Mercer University Macon, GA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Montclair State University Montclair, NJ |
BS | Community Health Education, Health Systems Administration & Policy | Traditional |
New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM |
BPH | N/A | Traditional |
Northeastern University Boston, MA |
BS | Health Science | Traditional |
Ohio State University Columbus, OH |
BSPH | Environmental Public Health, Public Health Sociology | Traditional |
Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University Portland, OR |
BA/BS | Healthy Aging, Community Health Promotion, Health Services Administration, Clinical Health Science, School Health Educator | Traditional |
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR |
BS | Health Management & Policy, Health Promotion & Health Behavior | Traditional, Online |
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
SUNY – Cortland Cortland, NY |
BS | Community Health, Health Education, Healthcare Management, Human Service Studies, Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy | Traditional |
SUNY – Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY |
BS | Health & Society | Traditional |
Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO |
BA, BS | Biostatistics, Health Management, Social Work | Traditional |
Salisbury University Salisbury, MD |
BS | Community Health | Traditional |
San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Simon Fraser University Burnaby, Canada |
BA, BSc, BA-BA | Health Sciences: Life Sciences, Health Sciences: Population & Quantitative Health | Traditional, International |
Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
St. Catherine University St. Paul, MN |
BA, BS | Community Health Worker, Health Promotion & Education, Health Science, Public Policy & Social Sciences, Community Health Worker, Health Promotion & Education, Health Science | Traditional |
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY |
BSPH | Addiction Prevention, Community Health Education, Health & Society, Healthcare Management | Traditional |
Temple University Philadelphia, PA |
BS | N/A | Traditional |
Tennessee State University Nashville, TN |
BS, BSHS | Health Sciences | Traditional |
Texas A&M Health Science Center Bryan, TX |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
Tulane University New Orleans, LA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
University at Albany – SUNY Albany, NY |
BS | Interdisciplinary Studies: Bioinstrumentation | Traditional |
University at Buffalo – SUNY Buffalo, NY |
BA, BS | Statistics, Exercise Science | Traditional |
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL |
BS | Environmental Health, General Public Health, Global Health | Traditional |
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ |
BS | N/A | Online, Traditional |
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AK |
BSPH | N/A | Online, Traditional |
University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA |
BA | N/A | Online, Traditional |
University of California Irvine, CA |
BA, BS | Public Health Policy, Public Health Sciences | Traditional |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL |
BHS | Communication Sciences & Disorders, Health Science | Online, Traditional |
University of Georgia Athens, GA |
BS | Environmental Health, Health Promotion | Traditional |
University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI |
BA | N/A | Traditional |
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL |
BA, BS | N/A | Traditional |
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA |
BA, BS | N/A | Traditional |
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY |
BPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Louisville Louisville, KY |
BAPH, BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Maryland Shady Grove, MD |
BS, BS-MSA, BS-Mfin | Community Health, Family Science, Kinesiology, Public Health Science, Joint Degree | Traditional |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA |
BS | Communication Disorders, Kinesiology, Nutrition | Traditional |
University of Miami Coral Gables, FL |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI |
BPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV |
BS | Health Care Administration | Traditional |
University of Nevada Reno, NV |
BS | Community Health Sciences | Traditional |
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC |
BSPH | Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Policy & Management, Nutrition | Traditional |
University of North Carolina Charlotte, NC |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC |
BS, BS-MS | Community Health Education, Global Health, Gerontology, Pre-Clinical Health | Traditional |
University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL |
BSH | N/A | Traditional |
University of Oklahoma Health Science Center Oklahoma City, OK |
BA, BS, BPH | Community Health | Traditional |
University of South Carolina Columbia, SC |
BA, BS | N/A | Traditional |
University of South Florida Tampa, FL |
BS, BSPH | Health Sciences | Traditional |
University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS |
BSPH | Allied Health, Health Education, Health Policy & Administration | Traditional |
University of Washington Seattle, WA |
BA, BS | Food Systems, Nutrition & Health, Public Health: Global Health, Environmental Health, Health Informatics & Health Information Management | Traditional |
University of Wisconsin La Crosse, WI |
BS-PH | Community Health Education | Traditional |
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV |
BS | Public Health Sciences, Community and Population Health, Patient Navigation | Traditional |
Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT |
BS | Health Education, Health Promotion Studies | Traditional |
Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY |
BSPH | N/A | Traditional |
William Paterson University Wayne, NJ |
BSPH | Generalist, Public Health Education, Health Studies | Traditional |
Information last updated October 2020
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