Program Overview

College of Public Health

The College of Public Health offers various academic programs for undergraduate students interested in the field of health sciences.

Undergraduate Studies

The college provides undergraduate studies in health sciences, including:

• BS in Public Health
• BS in Health Sciences
• BS in Health and Nutrition Science
• BS in Health and Physical Rehabilitation Science

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is designed for those interested in the healthcare industry and the allied health professions. The degree has a flexible curriculum, allowing students to choose an area of specialization to suit their career interests. This high-quality program offers classroom-based and distance instruction to prepare students for many exciting careers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.

Students can choose to focus their degree based on the health career they plan to pursue after graduation. Students take foundational courses (24 credits) in Health Sciences, then choose to focus their studies in one of five concentrations (21 concentration credits): biological health sciences, social and behavioral health sciences, healthcare simulation science, health care administration, or health information technology, based on their career goals.

Depending on the concentration chosen, students can go on to everything from clinical graduate programs to administrative and technology positions. The flexible and interdisciplinary nature of this exciting degree prepares tomorrow’s healthcare leaders with a strong foundation for success.

Concentrations and Courses

The college offers the following concentrations:

• Biological Health Science: This concentration explores the scientific foundations of human health and disease. Ideal for students pursuing health-related careers or clinical and non-clinical graduate programs, it combines core science and public health courses with a flexible curriculum tailored to individual goals. Graduates are prepared for careers in pharmaceutical sales, clinical lab management, wellness, or advanced study in areas like occupational therapy, physician assistant programs, and public health.
• Social & Behavioral Health Science: This concentration examines how social, cultural, psychological, and behavioral factors impact individual and community health. It prepares students to promote wellness, shape health policies, and address health disparities across populations. With a flexible curriculum, students are equipped for careers in behavioral health, healthcare administration, social work, mental health, and health education.
• Health Care Administration: This concentration blends health sciences with business and policy, preparing students to lead and manage healthcare organizations. It equips graduates with the skills needed for roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, public health organizations, and healthcare consulting firms. Students excel in healthcare management roles where they can drive improvements in the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of healthcare services. Graduates are ready for immediate entry into the workforce and continued education in advanced healthcare administration.
• Health Information Technology: This concentration prepares students for careers at the intersection of healthcare and technology, combining health sciences with information management, data analytics, and IT. Students are prepared to manage, secure, and analyze health information, contributing to the improvement of healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and organizational efficiency. Graduates can pursue careers in medical records, software development, project management, and consulting, or continue into graduate programs in health informatics, policy, and administration.
• Healthcare Simulation Science: This concentration is focused on simulation-based healthcare education, training students in technology operations, scenario design, and program delivery. With a flexible curriculum and an emphasis on experiential learning, graduates are prepared for roles in clinical training, patient safety, simulation leadership, and advanced study in fields like medical education and clinical informatics.

Degree Requirements

The most current requirements can be found in the USF Undergraduate Catalog.

Careers

The college offers various career paths, including:

• Biological Health:
  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Clinical Lab Management
  • Technology Specialists
  • Pre-Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
• Health Information Technology:
  • Medical Records Management
  • Information Technology
  • Software Development
  • Internet Development
• Health Management:
  • Hospital Administration
  • Physician’s Office Management
  • Insurance Industry
  • Health Service Management
• Social/Behavioral Health Sciences:
  • Mental Health Organizations
  • Community Health Programs
  • Health Administrators
  • Health Education
• Healthcare Simulation Science:
  • Hospital Systems
  • Training Centers
  • Healthcare Technology
  • University Systems