What Is A Bachelor’s Degree In Public Health? – Forbes Advisors

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic revealed how essential public health workers are to the world. Not only did they teach people how to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but they contributed to emergency health policies aimed at keeping people safe.

With a bachelor’s degree in public health, you can pursue a career that helps improve people’s health and well-being—without directly treating their ailments.

This guide explores what to expect from a BS degree in public health, including admission requirements, common courses and public health career options for graduates.

What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health?

An undergraduate public health degree qualifies you to work in a junior public health position. Bachelor of science in public health (BSPH) programs equip students with the skills to advocate for health equity and improve the quality of life in various communities.

A BSPH doesn’t just make you eligible for private and public health roles; it can also be a stepping stone to medical, nursing or dental school, should you choose to pursue one of those careers.

A typical BS in public health covers topics like environmental health, health disparities, health policy, disease prevention and environmental impacts on population health. Students may also complete fieldwork as part of their course requirements.

We recommend verifying your program’s accreditation status with the Council on Education for Public Health before enrolling. Programmatic accreditation ensures that you receive a high-quality quality education from a reliable public health degree program.

It takes about four years and 120 credits to earn a BS in public health.

Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health

Most BSPH programs require:

• A high school diploma or the equivalent
• Copies of candidates’ high school transcripts
• Recommendation letters
• A personal statement

Note that specific admission requirements vary from one program to another. Contact your prospective school’s admissions office to learn the precise criteria you must fulfill.

Common Courses in a Public Health Bachelor’s Degree

Human Diseases and Prevention

Studying human disease and prevention exposes learners to the effects of diseases on the human body, including how diseases are transmitted among humans and the mortality rate for each disease addressed in class. Students learn to identify the symptoms of various diseases and how to control their spread.

Public and Global Health

Global health prioritizes worldwide wellness and healthcare equity. A public and global health course addresses health issues affecting diverse populations regardless of societal factors such as race, location, ethnicity, class and culture.

Students also learn how healthcare providers can balance health disparities across the globe and address diseases that threaten the human population.

Public Health Informatics

This course explains the ethical principles guiding how public health workers use information technology. By the end of this course, students should understand the standards for accessing, analyzing, transmitting and maintaining public health records through electronic devices.

Public Health: Principles and Populations

This introductory course examines the concepts of public health and its challenges and benefits to every society in the modern world. Students gain perspective on the determinants of human health, health disparities and current health concerns. Learners in this course can also evaluate their true reasons for joining the public health field and how they can improve people’s lives.

Urbanization and Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations include individuals who are prone to illnesses due to reasons like age, pre-existing health conditions, poverty and a lack of access to health services. This course examines how vulnerable community members access health services. It also highlights how a diverse public health workforce can bridge the gap between vulnerable people and healthcare.

Potential Careers for a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health

The salary data in this section is sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale.

Community Health Worker

Median Annual Salary: $46,190
Job Overview: Community health workers promote wellness and quality of life within specific communities by identifying residents’ health needs, reporting their concerns to the appropriate health or social services agencies, and counseling residents on the importance of preventive care.

Community Outreach Coordinator

Average Annual Salary: Around $46,100
Job Overview: Community outreach coordinators plan and oversee events to raise awareness on specific health issues within a community. They may also raise funds for public health programs and initiatives.

Health Education Specialist

Median Annual Salary: $59,990
Job Overview: Health education specialists teach individuals and communities the best practices for maintaining healthy environments and lifestyles.
They also help community residents to find and access valuable health services.

Health Services Manager

Median Annual Salary: $104,830
Job Overview: Health services managers supervise medical facilities to ensure that patients receive adequate care. They handle administrative duties such as recruiting staff, creating work schedules, monitoring budgets and enforcing compliance with federal health regulations.

Public Health Specialist

Average Annual Salary: Around $58,500
Job Overview: Public health specialists work alongside medical personnel and health policy makers to investigate the origins of diseases and develop strategies to combat them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health