Program Overview

Public Health B.S.

Promote health. Prevent disease. Build equity.

About this Program

Public health is focused on population health from the community to global levels. The bachelor of science in public health degree prepares you to work in this dynamic field to improve the health of diverse populations from a holistic perspective.

Health is influenced by not only access to healthcare, but also the natural and constructed environments in which we live, education access, and economic, social, and political structures and inequalities. If you want to build healthier, more equitable communities, this in-demand career choice is for you.

Program Information

• Degree Type: B.S.
• Major: Public Health
• Modality: In-person
• College or School: Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Curriculum

The public health curriculum builds on a strong liberal arts foundation in the biological sciences, communications, social sciences, and statistics. Public health coursework begins in year one and focuses on health equity, social justice, social determinants of health, health promotion, and disease prevention. In addition, students complete a concentration in addiction prevention, community health education, healthcare management, or health and society.

Accreditation

The bachelor of science in public health degree is accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH), the independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit academic public health programs.

Customize Your Coursework

Choose from four degree concentrations:

• Community Health Education: Learn to provide health education to diverse populations and communities. Secure your eligibility for initial professional credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
• Addiction Prevention: Learn to provide alcohol and substance abuse prevention services such as program evaluation and planning, and public policy and environment change. Secure your eligibility for initial professional credentialing as a substance use counselor or prevention practitioner from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
• Healthcare Management: Learn to coordinate health programs, or to complete advanced study in healthcare administration.
• Health and Society: Study social justice and neurobiology as it relates to behavioral health and interventions for special populations.

Pursue a Second Major

Pursue a second major, integrated into the bachelor of science in public health degree requirements. These popular second majors can be completed without adding additional credit to your degree:

• B.A. in Policy Studies
• B.A. in Law, Society and Policy
• B.A. in Psychology
• B.S. in Environment, Sustainability, and Policy
• B.A. in Health Humanities
• B.S. in Neuroscience

Internships and Service Learning

Immersive community-based learning requirements are incorporated across all four years of the program, culminating with the senior year capstone internship experience. Internships allow you to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world public health challenges in diverse settings.

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Experiential Learning: Get involved in student-led public health initiatives.
• Research: Advance public health through research.
• Study Abroad: Discover public health across the world.

Careers

Launch your career in public health:

• Entry-level positions in public health are in high demand, such as:
  • Medical and Health Services Managers
  • Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers
  • Prevention Specialist
  • Social and Community Service Managers
• The public health B.S. is also a strong foundation for advanced degrees:
  • Public Health: Seventy-five percent (75%) of alumni who go on to graduate school choose public health graduate degrees such as the master of public health (MPH).
  • Clinical Health: The public health B.S. coursework meets admission requirements for post-graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and others.
  • Law and Policy: Shape the policies and laws that affect our health with a graduate degree in law (J.D.), public administration (MPA), or political science.

Related Programs

• Health and Exercise Science B.S.
• Law, Society and Policy B.A.
• Policy Studies B.A.
• Public Health Accelerated B.S./MPH
• Psychology B.S.