Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Temple’s College of Public Health gives you the theoretical knowledge and practical experience you need to improve health and quality of life for individuals, communities and populations.

Students pursuing this degree will research, interpret and use health data in real-world circumstances through fieldwork placements at public health–related organizations and agencies in the community. The practical experience you gain will deepen and refine your understanding of public health from the institutional perspective.

The field of public health focuses on preventing disease and injury, protecting health, and promoting the conditions in which people can be healthy. In this degree program you will study the fundamentals of public health theory and practice, including disease prevention and control, the psychology behind people’s health habits, the political and financial aspects of the U.S. healthcare system, and other topics.

Upon graduating from this degree program, you will be prepared for entry-level employment positions in a wide variety of public health–related organizations. Graduates pursue careers in areas of community health including maternal and child health, nutrition and physical activity, and chronic disease prevention. Graduates also go on to conduct research in social and behavioral sciences and in clinical fields, among others. They work in a variety of settings, including community health organizations, hospitals, nonprofit agencies, public health departments and rehabilitation centers.

What sets apart our Bachelor of Science in Public Health?

• Join a renowned program: Our Bachelor of Science in Public Health, part of a CEPH-accredited school of public health, is known for its long history of high-quality education. Our professors and instructors serve as mentors, invest extra time for individualized work with student, and use innovative teaching methods.
• Take advantage of real-world experience: Through the program’s fieldwork experience, students apply their classroom learning to real-world scenarios in health services or public health organizational settings that prepare them to launch their careers.
• Learn from our expert faculty: Our faculty are experts in areas such as cancer prevention, global health, health policy, maternal and child health, nutrition and obesity, substance abuse, and more.

Minor Option

The College of Public Health offers a related Public Health minor, which is available to students outside the BS in Public Health program.

The Public Health minor expands your understanding of how the natural sciences, social sciences and technology can be used to help solve human health problems. Students in the minor explore the fundamentals of public health research and practice, and learn to see the world through a public health lens.

The minor’s required coursework explores the core areas of public health, preparing you to examine a variety of issues from a population health perspective. Additional elective courses allow you to shape the minor to complement your major, as well as your specific interests and career goals.

Completing the Public Health Minor improves your marketability in many professional paths, including social work, kinesiology, education, business, health professions, psychology, health communication and others. The minor also prepares students to pursue graduate training in public health.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program

The College of Public Health offers high-performing students the option of earning both a bachelor of science and master of public health (MPH) in five years, rather than taking the typical six years to complete both degrees. This rigorous, accelerated program is available with the following MPH programs.

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

Students apply during the spring of their sophomore year and are admitted into the degree program in the fall of their junior year. Admitted students take one graduate course during each semester of their junior and senior year (four courses total) and can complete the MPH within one year of graduating from the BS program.

Learn more about the 4+1 BS/MPH program.

Program Format

Students in the program complete 120 credits, including 68 credits of public health courses.

See a full list of program courses.