Upper Division BSPH Details
guidelines for junior and senior year
A minimum of 120 total earned credit hours is required for the degree. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health requires:
- 21 credit hours of coursework in the Pre-Public Health Major
- 33 credit hours of coursework in the BSPH major
- Completion of a minor or second major
- Other requirements listed below
The core courses are designed to meet the criteria established by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for accreditation of public health degree programs. Students completing the curriculum will be eligible to sit for the nationally-recognized Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Major Courses
The BSPH major requires 33 credit hours in public health core subjects like healthcare systems, behavior change, research methods, epidemiology, and health promotion. Students will also engage in practical learning through internships and capstone projects.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HLTH 3102 | Comparative Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| HLTH 3103 | Behavior Change Theories and Practice | 3 |
| HLTH 3104 | Research and Statistics in Health | 3 |
| HLTH 3105 | Public Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| HLTH 3106 | Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HLTH 3400 | Public Health Internship Preparation | 3 |
| HLTH 4102 | Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HLTH 4104 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HLTH 4105 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HLTH 4400 | Internship | 3 |
| HLTH 4600 | Capstone | 3 |
Upper Division Course Sequence
This sequence guides students through their junior and senior years in the BSPH program. It emphasizes structured progression through courses in healthcare systems, behavior change, program planning, and a capstone project, over two academic years.
Year 3
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (9 hours) | HLTH 3102 | Comparative Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| HLTH 3103 | Behavior Change Theories & Practice | 3 | |
| HLTH 3106 | Determinants of Health | 3 | |
| Spring (9 hours) | HLTH 3104 | Research & Statistics in Health | 3 |
| HLTH 3105 | Public Health Education & Promotion | 3 | |
| HLTH 3400 | Public Health Internship Preparation | 3 |
Year 4
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall (9 hours) | HLTH 4102 | Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HLTH 4105 | Program Planning & Evaluation | 3 | |
| HLTH 4400 | Public Health Internship | 3 | |
| Spring (9 hours) | HLTH 4600 | Capstone Project | 3 |
*HLTH 4104 Epidemiology may be taken any semester.
* The BSPH Upper Division courses must be taken in the semester indicated & cannot be completed in less than 2 years.
* Students will complement the coursework above with any additional courses required for the selected option for additional coursework, and/or coursework to reach the 120 credit hours required to satisfy degree requirements.
Minor Courses (Additional Coursework)
Students pursuing the BSPH degree are expected to complete coursework complementary to Public Health. Students may select from one of the following options below in consultation with the BSPH Program Director.
Elective Options
| Option 1: Minor or Second Major | Option 2: Health Related Elective Coursework |
|---|---|
| Choose any minor on campus except the Minor in Public Health, or choose a second major. The choice of minor or second major should be considered in terms of individual educational and professional aspirations. | Complete 15 credit hours of health-related elective courses selected from any unrestricted HLTH 3000- or 4000-level course not fulfilling a PRPH or BSPH requirement. Other courses may be approved by the BSPH Program Director. |
Note: Consult with your academic advisor for guidance on selecting minors or electives that align with your career goals.
The following option is limited to students electing NOT to complete a minor/second major. Labs are not required in this option; however, they may be required for the programs in which students intend to apply.
Option 3
Students can choose from three options to complement their BSPH studies: pursuing a minor or second major; selecting health-related electives; or completing pre-health clinical coursework. Each option aligns with individual career goals.
Basic Science Courses (6 Credit Hours)
| Course Name | Course Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Chemistry I | CHEM 1251 | 3 |
| General Chemistry II | CHEM 1252 | 3 |
| Introductory Physics I | PHYS 1101 | 3 |
| Introductory Physics II | PHYS 1102 | 3 |
| General Psychology | PSYC 1101 | 3 |
Advanced Science Courses (9 Credit Hours)
| Course Name | Course Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Biology | BIOL 3111 | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry I | CHEM 2131 | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry II | CHEM 2132 | 3 |
| Principles of Biochemistry | CHEM 4165 | 3 |
| Physics for Science and Engineering I | PHYS 2101 | 3 |
| Physics for Science and Engineering II | PHYS 2102 | 3 |
Unrestricted Elective Courses
As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation. Study abroad courses are included.
DEGREE TOTAL = 120 CREDIT HOURS
To graduate with a BSPH degree, students must complete 120 total credit hours, combining public health coursework, a minor or electives, and general education. This comprehensive curriculum prepares students for diverse public health careers.
Students should use the following suggested course sequence to plan their class schedules once they are accepted into the Public Health (BSPH) Program. Students will supplement the HLTH courses below with coursework related to their minor or second major, or unrestricted electives as needed to complete degree requirements.