Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is offered by the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) in the Barnett College of Public Health. This undergraduate curriculum prepares students for diverse careers in the public health field, aiming to improve the health status and quality of life for individuals, communities, and populations.

Overview of the Program

As one of the earliest accredited undergraduate public health programs in the country, the BS in Public Health serves as a national model. Students take a set of common theoretical courses designed to promote an understanding of health, wellness, and disease prevention and health promotion. Coursework topics include:

• Health psychology and human behavior
• Health communication
• Biostatistics and epidemiology
• Health policy and services
• Research methods
• Community program planning, implementation, and evaluation

Program Details

Students learn to use educational interventions to provide health information, gain experience in assessing the needs of target populations, clarify program goals and objectives, and develop strategies to motivate and involve their clients/patients in educational interventions. A key component of the program is the 300 hours of fieldwork experience in public health agencies, organizations, or other entities, providing invaluable real-world experience in the field.

Career Opportunities

The Public Health major trains entry-level public health workers to provide frontline preventive health information, services, and health behavior interventions at the community level. Graduates typically work in public health departments, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, corporate work sites, community health organizations, nonprofit agencies, family planning clinics, and managed-care facilities. Some graduates also pursue graduate public health programs or other health-related professions.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program at Temple University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Accelerated Programs

The Barnett College of Public Health offers a rigorous five-year (+1) accelerated BS to MPH program, allowing outstanding Public Health majors to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in five years. This combined degree program offers exceptional students an opportunity to work closely with faculty while developing critical skills in public health and completing graduate work for professional careers in research, policy, administration, or real-world public health practice.

Available Accelerated Programs

• MPH in Applied Biostatistics
• MPH in Epidemiology
• MPH in Health Policy and Management
• MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Program Requirements

University Requirements

All students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum. Additionally, all Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major, which for this major are SBS 3496 and SBS 3596.

College Requirement

All College of Public Health undergraduates must successfully complete the College Core Course, HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.

Clearance Requirements

The Public Health program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at facilities both on and off the University campus. These placements may require criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances, and perhaps a drug screen. Placements may also require the student to maintain personal health insurance.

Public Health Program Requirements

Students must complete a set of specific courses in the major, including the College Core course and Public Health Major courses, including one credit-earning internship (SBS 4185). Also required are three public health electives, two Cognate electives, and three general (free) electives. The major requires a minimum of 120 total credits.

Course List

• General Electives: Three courses are required, chosen by the student.
• College Core Requirement: HRPR 1001 Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play.
• Public Health Major Core:
  • Lower-Division Public Health Coursework:
    • 1000 Level Courses: SBS 1003 Public Health Careers, HIM 1055 IT Applications for Health, and two of the following - SBS 1104 Nutrition and Health, SBS 1105 Substance Use and Society, SBS 1106 Human Sexuality.
    • 2000 Level Courses: SBS 2001 Biological Foundations of Population Health, SBS 2003 Introduction to Public Health Writing, SBS 2101 Disease Prevention and Control, ENVH 2102 Environmental Health, SBS 2103 Health Psychology and Human Behavior, SBS 2201 Health Communication, HPM 2214 Politics and Payments in US Healthcare System, SBS 2216 Ethnicity, Culture and Health, EPBI 2219 Biostatistics and Public Health.
  • Upper-Division Public Health Coursework:
    • 3000+ Level Courses: EPBI 3101 Introduction to Epidemiology, EPBI 3102 Introduction to Research Methods, SBS 3104 Professional Seminar, SBS 3105 Fundamentals of Health Education, SBS 3496 Community-Based Health Program Planning I (WI), SBS 3596 Community-Based Health Program Planning II (WI), SBS 4185 Public Health Internship.
• Public Health Electives: Select three from a list of available courses.
• Cognate Electives: Select two courses with approval of a departmental academic advisor from a list of available courses.

Suggested Academic Plan

A suggested academic plan is provided for new students starting in the academic year, outlining the courses to be taken each semester for four years to complete the Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Temple University offers a comprehensive undergraduate education in public health, preparing students for a wide range of careers in the field. With its rigorous curriculum, fieldwork experience, and opportunities for accelerated graduate study, this program stands out as a leading choice for those passionate about improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.