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Undergraduate Programs in Public Health
Public health is an interdisciplinary degree that provides students with the skills they need to improve the health of populations and communities, as well as alleviate suffering caused by disease, injuries and health disparities. Public health majors learn how to inquire, challenge and explore options that promote the health and well-being of the world around them. Whatever your interest, we have a program that will meet your needs.
B.A./B.S. in Public Health
The B.S./B.A. in Public Health is an undergraduate program culminating in a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health (BSPH) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Public Health. The degrees are offered through the UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS), which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
The B.S. in Public Health is for students interested in natural sciences such as chemistry, biology, mathematics and public health. B.S. students will complete additional required course work in the natural sciences or mathematics with their public health course work. A B.A. in Public Health is designed for students who have an interest in other social sciences and public health. Both degree options require students to complete 120 credit hours.
Admissions: Students interested in the program must be admitted to the University of Louisville as an undergraduate. Students entering UofL directly from high school or who have been in the public health workforce for at least 3 years do not have to meet a minimum grade point average requirement (GPA). Students that have completed some college coursework must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
What can I do with a degree in public health? Graduates of the program are prepared for positions in specific sectors of public health, health services, or public policy for which baccalaureate-level education is appropriate. Degrees assist in preparing students for professional careers in fields including health education, health services administration and health research. The undergraduate degree in public health can be a gateway into graduate and professional programs such as such as public health, law, medicine, nursing and dentistry.
For more insights on opportunities in public health, students can review resources such as the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health and “What Can I Do with This Major?” .
The School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Learn more.
Tracks
Tracks are not required as part of the undergraduate public health degree. They are options within the degree program that allow students to gain more specialized academic content related to a specific subject area. SPHIS currently offers the following degree tracks:
Social Justice & Health Equity (SJHE) – Available to students enrolled in the B.A. or B.S. in Public Health, the SJHE track is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand the historical, socio-political, and economic context through which to explore social determinants of health and a wide range of social justice and health equity issues. From this foundation, students will critically examine how their own identity/ies, biases, privilege, and social conditioning contribute to their worldview, and how these influences support or hinder their ability to effectively understand, address, organize, and mobilize efforts to affect real and lasting social change within the community. Learn more about the Social Justice and Health Equity track.
Professional Health Studies Track – Available to students enrolled in the B.S. in Public Health. The Professional Health Studies Track is designed to support students interested in attending professional schools such as medical school, dental school, nursing school or physical therapy. This degree track allows students to integrate their pre-requisite requirements into their degree program. This track does have special admission requirements and it is important to note that completing this curriculum does not guarantee admission to a professional school. Learn more about the Professional Health Studies Track.
For more information on public health degree tracks, please contact your public health academic advisor.
To learn more about pre-health career options, please check out the UofL Pre-Health website and continue the conversation with your SPHIS Advisor.
Accelerated Bachelor's-MPH
The accelerated degree program allows qualified students to complete their undergraduate degree and our Master of Public Health (MPH) over a five-year period. The MPH degree provides students with training in foundational competencies as well as a specific area of concentration: Epidemiology, Health Policy, and Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. Learn more.
Program structure:
-- The first four years consist of undergraduate studies, including up to 15 credit hours of public health graduate level courses taken during the senior year, culminating in the awarding of their undergraduate degree.
-- The fifth year, including the summer following graduation with a bachelor’s degree, consists of graduate coursework in public health, leading to completion of the MPH.
Undergraduate students who have earned a minimum of 75 credit hours and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 are eligible to explore the accelerated degree program option.
-- Public Health Majors can pursue this option as a BA-MPH or BS-MPH by working with their public health advisor.
-- Non Public Health Majors can pursue our accelerated degree option also, but will be required to work with the undergraduate public health academic coordinator.
For more information, please contact public health advising.
Minors
Undergraduate students can also select a minor in public health or select a minor to have an additional area of specialization. Minors are not required as part of the degree program but allow students to gain an introduction to a specific content area. The following minors are available:
-- Minor in Epidemiology
-- Minor in Healthcare Management
-- Minor in Public Health (Note: BSPH/BAPH students are not eligible for this minor.)
-- Minor in Social Justice and Health Equity
For more information, please contact your public health academic advisor.
How to select a track or minor
Students can select a track or minor via the Ulink.
- Go to the Ulink portal for UofL students
- Click on the Academic Progress Tab
- View the video, “Change a major”
