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Public Health, B.S.

Improve the Health of Communities Locally and Globally
Public Health, B.S. Program Overview
Students complete the public health core courses, which provide a strong foundation in the U.S. Public Health System, factors impacting human health and disease, population-based and individual approaches to health enhancement, public health data sources, health policy, health law, health communication and much more.

4 Concentrations

  • Community Health Education prepares students to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programs that are designed to enhance individual and community health and well-being. Students are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)
  • Pre-Clinical Health prepares students with a strong science background for continuing study in medicine, dentistry, physical assistance, nutrition, nursing, etc.
  • Global Health prepares students for careers working in developing low- and middle-income countries to improve health and quality of life. Students are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).
  • Gerontology prepares students for public health careers working with an older adult population. If eligible, students may also apply for the 4+1 PBH & MS in Applied Gerontology Program.

Learn To

Discuss the core values, concepts and functions of public health

Demonstrate the ability to use public health data and apply concepts of population health

Explain human health and disease across the lifespan

Explain the fundamental characteristics and functions of the United States healthcare system

Communicate through a variety of media to diverse populations and advocate for protection and promotion of the public’s health at all levels of society

Alumni have careers in:

help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. (Source)

caring for patients, communicating with doctors, administering medicine and checking vital signs. (Source)

treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. (Source)

plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. (Source)

study and find ways to treat physical, mental, emotional, and social problems of elderly individuals. (Source)

A woman takes the blood pressure of a young girl.

Sample courses in Public Health

A table showing a few sample courses required for the public health b.s. program.
PBH 290 Foundations of Public Health
PBH 299 Intro to Biostatistics
PBH 310 Social & Behavioral Determinants of Health
PBH 320 Foundations of Global Health
PBH 359 Research Methods in Public Health
PBH 400 Health Ethics Policy & Law
PBH 452 Epidemiology
See The Full Curriculum

Requirements to Declare: Public Health B.S.

Students can declare Public Health as a major after completion of 24 credit hours and a 2.5 or higher UNCW GPA.

Students declaring the Pre-Clinical Concentration need a 3.0 or higher GPA.

Public Health students must choose from one of four concentration options: Community Health Education, Global Health, Gerontology or Pre-Clinical.

All students in the program must complete all core courses and at least one concentration. A grade of C or above must be achieved in each of the Public Health core and concentration courses.

A 2.5 overall GPA is required to register for PBH 496 and PBH 497, and to graduate from the program.

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School of Health & Applied Human Sciences

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