Earn a Bachelor's in Public Health
Public health professionals promote healthy lifestyles, help prevent injury and disease, and strive to prolong life among communities and societies. Students who pursue a public health degree learn about food security, vector- and water-borne diseases, and social disruption and displacement brought about by extreme weather conditions. Public health graduates can work in many roles, including community health educator, social program administrator, and environment researcher.
Schools may offer a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in public health. A BA program typically includes more social science coursework, while a BS focuses on natural or hard science. Some colleges offer a bachelor of applied science in public health composed mostly classes in the major.
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What can you do with a bachelor's in public health?
Graduates of an accredited bachelor's in public health program can work in many diverse roles, including as health educators, community service managers, and occupational health specialists.
Is a BA or BS in public health better?
One degree type is not better than the other. A BA program generally focuses on social sciences, while a BS program includes more classes in natural sciences.
How long is a bachelor's in public health?
Most on-campus bachelor's in public health programs take four years to complete. Online programs often follow accelerated delivery schedules, so enrollees may finish sooner.
Is public health a hard major?
As with other majors, the difficulty level of a public health program depends on enrollees' willingness to invest the effort to fulfill program requirements.
Why Get a Degree in Public Health?
Public health practitioners work with diverse client groups, often depending on their specialization and professional interests. Accredited public health programs prepare graduates for the demands of this multifaceted professional arena. See below for some reasons students choose to pursue a public health degree.
Keep Knowledge Current
A well-developed curriculum in public health includes coursework in the field's latest research developments and findings.Prepare for a Graduate Program
Although most master's in public health programs accept applications from students with a degree in an unrelated field, schools typically prefer applicants with a health-related bachelor's degree.Improve Professional Options
Public health leadership positions and many well-funded research projects often go to practitioners with at least a bachelor's degree.Enhance Credibility
A bachelor's degree, especially in a field like public health, presents the holder as a knowledgeable and ethical professional with skills honed through four years of study.Job Security
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor's degree-holders enjoy a lower unemployment rate (2.2%) compared to associate-trained workers (2.7%), and employees with some college but no degree (3.3%).
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How Much Does a Public Health Major Make?
Graduates of public health bachelor's programs often qualify to work as community health workers or social and community service managers. Completing a master's in the field can lead to more prominent and high-paying positions such as epidemiologist and survey researcher. Public health majors who cannot commit to pursuing a master's degree can earn a graduate certificate in the field to update or expand their knowledge and improve their earning potential.
Bachelor's in Public Health Program Requirements
A BS in public health may require applicants to show completion of prerequisite science coursework such as chemistry and biology. Prerequisite courses for a BA program may include social sciences and humanities classes. Some programs also require applicants to meet a minimum GPA.
Public health bachelor's programs often include an internship or practicum component to allow enrollees to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Because public health is a broad field of study, graduates often pursue further study in specialized areas. Research directorship and other top leadership positions in public health require at least a master's degree and often a doctorate.
Courses in a Public Health Bachelor's Program
A well-developed bachelor's in public health program includes foundation courses such as public health data analysis, community health program planning, and environmental health. Students also enroll in classes in research methodology, grant writing, and communication.
Some of the best public health bachelor's programs offer specializations in fields like healthcare administration, biostatistics, and disaster management. Most public health bachelor's programs require enrollees to complete an internship experience prior to graduation.
Healthcare Delivery Systems
This course covers topics such as healthcare regulations and financing, technological advances in modern healthcare delivery, and state and federal policy-setting procedures that impact healthcare access. Students also explore the use and management of electronic health records and learn how to identify aspects in healthcare delivery systems that may put patients at risk.Environmental Health
Students explore foundational topics such as toxicology, environmental risk assessment methods, epidemiology, and risk management and communication. Case studies and fieldwork enable enrollees to explore issues such as susceptibility and inequality factors in environmental health, emerging environmental hazards, and exposure assessment.Introduction to Epidemiology
Enrollees examine the causes, effects, and patterns of diseases and health conditions in different populations and locations. Students learn how to use this information to address public health issues, develop and implement effective community healthcare programs, and craft policies and regulations that improve health conditions across specific population segments.
Scholarships for Public Health
Many colleges and universities offer need- and merit-based scholarships, which do not require repayment. Students can also research scholarships from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies with vested interests in public health education. See below for three scholarships available to students seeking a bachelor's in public health.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
ACMPE Scholarships | Varies for each scholarship (up to $5,000) | The American College of Medical Practice Executives welcomes applications from undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a program related to medical practice management, including public health. |
James M. & Erma T. Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program | Varies | This program accepts applications from high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students planning to pursue or currently enrolled in a program in health and medical sciences with a history of volunteerism and community involvement. |
Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship | $2,500 | The Society for Public Health Education opens this scholarship to members enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate program in an eligible field, including public health. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. |
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