Online Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health is a fully online, four-year degree program. Students pursuing their undergraduate degree in Public Health gain the knowledge and skills to become leaders in the health profession, helping improve the health of people and communities. This program is the next step from the Associate of Science in Public Health program, and provides an environment that reaches beyond course work and class discussions.
What is Public Health?
Public Health is the science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting the health of people and communities through organized efforts to educate, develop policy, conduct scientific research and regulate health systems. Public Health is part of the human services field of study, which means its primary objective is to improve the quality of life for as many people as possible!
There are many facets of public health – from improving access to healthcare, controlling infectious diseases, reducing environmental hazards to working toward decreasing substance abuse. Public Health professionals work to improve the health of individuals and communities. Their role can vary greatly, depending on their work setting and job responsibilities.
Public health professionals are passionate about giving back to their community. The right to be healthy helped shape public health as we know it today. Working in this field helps ensure everyone can exercise that right!
BS Public Health Program Overview
A public health degree is a gateway to a versatile job field that offers a variety of career paths that focus on the safety of the community and improving the general well-being of entire populations. These opportunities can range from focusing on the general population to more specialized groups and functions. There are three general categories of public health careers, including: research, community wellness, and administrative. Learn more about the career outlook for public health on our public health careers page.
BS Public Health Program Highlights
High Quality Education
- New Public Health Concentrations
- UC is excited to provide online students with the choice between three different concentrations for the Public Health program; Health Promotion & Education, Global Health, and Health Administration. These concentrations are more-focused paths within the field of Public Health and will allow students to pursue their bachelor’s degree in a more personable and tailored setting.
- Evidence-based public health curriculum grounded in population health, prevention, and health equity, equipping students with the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to address real-world health challenges.
- Rigorous instruction supported by expert faculty, delivered in an online format that upholds UC’s academic standards while providing access to research-informed coursework and student support resources.
Flexibility
- Easy credit transfer
- 100% Online - no campus visits required
- Design a schedule that works for you – the best in flexibility and personalized attention.
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s online bachelor of public health degree program is selective and based on meeting the requirements outlined below.
Prerequisites
First-Year Student:
Students applying directly from high school must meet the following requirements:
- 2.7 high school GPA
- Specific University of Cincinnati prerequisites including Official High School transcripts
Transfer Student:
Transferability is based on school accreditation, course/content comparability (including evaluation of practical assignments), year taken, and final grade.
Students who have not completed at least 24 semester (36 quarter) college credit hours:
- Official high school transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.7
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (all prior institutions combined).
Students who have completed at least 24 semester (36 quarter) college credit hours:
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (all prior institutions combined).
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who: are currently serving in the US armed forces, or are veterans of the US armed forces.
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
- First-Year and Transfer Applicants with Fewer Than 24 Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from your high school and all prior colleges (if applicable) for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- Transfer Applicants with 24+ Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from all prior colleges for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- You are exempt from the High School transcript requirement, this item will be removed from your application checklist once your college documents are received.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
In order to apply to University of Cincinnati as a transfer student, learners must submit a transfer application form and have official transcripts sent directly to UC from all prior institutions they’ve attended. High school transcripts will not be required for transfer applicants with 24 college credit hours or more.
To request these transcripts, please contact your previous institution’s registrar and ask them to send the official transcript to the University of Cincinnati via an approved electronic method such as Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or similar services. This is the preferred method. If electronic submission isn’t available, transcripts may be mailed to the Office of Admissions at:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, OH 45221
If your education came from outside of the United States and interested in this program, read more on the application process for international students in UC Online’s step-by-step guide.
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 Fall 2026 |
March 15, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 August 24, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
- Ranked in the 15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Health Degrees by Best Health Degrees.
- Ranked in the 25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Health Degrees by University HQ.
- Certified Health Education Specialist: all graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become a certified health education specialist (CHES).
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We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs.