Nov 21, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Public Health, B.S.P.H.

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Public health is the science and art of promoting health, preventing disease and injury, and prolonging life through organized efforts of society. Public health activities focus on entire populations rather than on individual patients, and public health professionals monitor and diagnose the health concerns of entire communities and promote healthy practices and behaviors to assure our populations stay healthy.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) prepares students through didactic and practice experiences to apply core principles of public health education within a variety of community settings and to advance the public health profession. The BSPH program seeks to fulfill the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health’s vision: “Healthy communities partnered with responsive population health systems.” To support the department’s mission, “Advancing health and well-being in an urbanizing world,” the BSPH program develops leaders in evidence-based practice who advance the public’s health. The program values collaboration, community engagement, innovation, professionalism, and healthcare access in its pursuit of attaining the highest possible standards of health and well-being.

The BSPH program is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners with knowledge and skills in the core concepts of public health, including health behavior, research and statistics in health, environmental health, epidemiology, and health administration, as well as in the planning, evaluation, organization, and conduct of community and public health services. The planned course of study adopts an interdisciplinary focus and includes the development of tailored skills through the successful completion of a minor, electives, and experiential learning. The program prepares students who are interested in pursuing health-related careers in health promotion, program delivery, health communication, community organization, and behavior change for entry level to mid-level positions in service and research in health departments, public health agencies, community-based organizations, outreach education programs, hospitals, private health organizations, and corporate wellness settings. The program is designed to appeal to students with interests in “population” rather than “clinical” health. Continued study in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health is also an option for those interested in graduate degrees in Public Health or Health Administration. For details on these programs, see the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements

Freshmen

See University Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses: Completion of 60 credit hours prior to matriculation into BSPH program. This includes General Education courses and successful completion of PRPH courses as outlined below.
Applications for admission are accepted by the stated deadline each Spring, and include academic transcripts, application, and a statement of future career goals.

Transfers

See University Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses: All incoming students begin as Pre-Public Health and apply to upper division once eligible
Transferable Credit Hours: 24

Currently Enrolled Students

Declaration of Major: Students wishing to pursue the BSPH program initially begin as Pre-Public Health (PRPH) majors. Students changing to Pre-Public Health from another major must attend Change of Major workshop in CHHS Advising Center. Students must apply for admission to the upper-division Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) major through a competitive application process.

Degree Requirements

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, plus completion of a minor or second major, and other requirements as listed below.

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)

For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information. Students majoring in Public Health should plan on taking the following courses that meet general education and major requirements:

STAT 1222 - Introduction to Statistics (3)
BIOL 1110 - Principles of Biology I (3) *
or BIOL 1115 - Principles of Biology II (3) *

Pre-Public Health Foundation Courses (21 credit hours)

Prerequisite Core Courses (15 credit hours)

Note:

* BIOL 1110L is not required for the Pre-Major, but may be required if taking BIOL 1110 or BIOL 1115 to fulfill the Natural Sciences with Lab requirement of the General Education Program.

Health-Related Communication Courses (6 credit hours)

Select two of the following:

Public Health Major Core Courses (33 credit hours)

Additional Coursework (15 credit hours)

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.

Option 1: Minor or Second Major

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.

Option 2: Health-Related Elective Coursework

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.

Option 3: Pre-Health/Clinical Coursework

Complete 15 credit hours towards pre-health/pre-clinical program prerequisites.

Notes:

This 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.

Basic Sciences Courses (6 credit hours)

Select two of the following:

Advanced Sciences Courses (9 credit hours)

Select three of the following:

Unrestricted Elective Courses

As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation. Study abroad courses are included.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Progression Requirements

To graduate with a BSPH degree, students must complete 120 credit hours including General Education, Pre-Public Health, Public Health, and minor or second major requirements. The cumulative GPA and the GPA in the Public Health major courses must a minimum of 2.5.

HLTH 2101 , HLTH 2102 , HLTH 2103 , and HLTH 4104 may only be repeated with original grade of D, F, or W; and may not be attempted* more than twice.

*Each of the following is considered an attempt: Withdrawing from the course after the drop deadline (may be appealed); grade replacement; audits; Pass/No Credit; Incompletes that convert to grades of F; and grades of A, B, C, D, or F.

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