Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Health Promotion Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is designed to accommodate undergraduate students who desire an entry-level public health career position, or undergraduate students who are seeking advanced-level public health degrees or an advanced degree in another health professions field. All undergraduate public health courses are offered in a face-to-face format. Coursework will include topics specific to the foundations of health education and health promotion, community and public health, health behavior theories, personal health, human disease, program planning and evaluation in health promotion, as well as an internship and a capstone in public health during the final semester of coursework. Students will have the option to take elective courses in specific topical areas related to public health and health promotion specializations. Students who complete the program will have the required coursework to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination. Students may declare a Public Health major at any time if they have completed less than 60 hours of coursework. Following the completion of 60 hours, a Public Health major is required to maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. A student who has a GPA lower than the minimum 3.0 after 60 hours will be required to change their major.
Since public health encompasses such a wide variety of disciplines, there are many different career options available for those with a degree in public health. Public health careers can be found in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; and with health foundations and health-based grant projects.
It is important to note that public health degrees do not qualify graduates to work as medical practitioners unless they have further or previous training and experience. For example, some individuals who are already registered nurses seek public health degrees because they have a personal interest or advanced career aspirations, in which case they can continue to work as nurses with extra credentials. Those who study public health usually do not treat patients, but serve a more widespread, behind-the-scenes, organizational role. Someone who has no medical background will be able to seek careers as consultants, advisers and trainers, and political health advocates. Most graduates work on community projects or state and city health advocacy groups, but some will work for national organizations. A person who has a public health degree may also be able to apply his or her skills in a career abroad. Poorer countries can benefit greatly from the knowledge that public health graduates have in the areas of disease prevention and nutrition (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019). The bachelor's degree in public health is a standard employment requirement for work in a variety of health promotion settings, such as hospitals, public health departments, wellness centers, and human services agencies.
Health education specialists teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities. Health education specialists typically do the following:
- assess the health needs of the people and communities they serve;
- develop programs, materials, and events to teach people about health topics;
- teach people how to manage existing health conditions;
- evaluate the effectiveness of programs and educational materials;
- help people find health services or information;
- provide training programs for community health workers or other health professionals;
- supervise staff who implement health education programs;
- collect and analyze data to learn about a particular community and improve programs and services; and
- advocate for improved health resources and policies that promote health (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
120 MINIMUM HOURS
36 UPPER LEVEL HOURS
31 HOURS AT UMHB
Degree Requirements
Academic Core – 40 hours
see Bachelor of Science in Public Health Academic Core.
Major Required Courses – 30 hours
12 hours (6 upper level ) at UMHB
12 hours minimum upper level
Grades of "C" or better required in all courses in the Public Health major.
Health Promotion Concentration - 17 hours
General Electives
Bachelor of Science in Public Health Courses of Study by Term
Freshman Fall
Freshman Spring
Sophomore Fall
Sophomore Spring
Junior Fall
| World Cultures | 3 |
| BSPH 3315 | Community and Public Health | 3 |
| BSPH 3320 | Program Planning in Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| UMHB 1005 | Fine Arts Experience | 0 |
Junior Spring
| BSPH 4310 | Theories in Health Behavior | 3 |
| BSPH 4340 | Health Program Evaluation | 3 |
EXAC
| Activity Course | 1 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| UMHB 1005 | Fine Arts Experience | 0 |
| One of the following | |
| BSPH 4360 | Pathophysiology of Chronic Disease | 3 |
| BSPH 4370 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology for Health Promotion | 3 |
Senior Fall
| BSPH 4344 | Leadership in Health Science | 3 |
EXAC
| Activity Course | 1 |
| PSYC 2314 | Research Methods for Social Science | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Recommended Elective | 3 |
| UMHB 1005 | Fine Arts Experience | 0 |
Senior Spring