Curriculum: Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Public Health 100% online program at the University of Cincinnati is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of career opportunities within the public health field.

Bachelor of Science Public Health Online Curriculum

Total: 120 credits

*Bachelor’s degree-seeking students at the University of Cincinnati are required to complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours for graduation. Up to 90 semester credit hours of prior college coursework taken at an accredited institution can be transferred in and applied to the program.

Public Health Concentrations:

UC is excited to introduce a new feature when enrolling for the Bachelor’s in Public Health online program! Students have the opportunity to choose a concentration, a more-focused pathway within Public Health that suits their interests the most.

Students will be required to choose a concentration when enrolling, the concentration options are as follows:

Health Promotion & Education Concentration (24 credits)

Health Promotion and Education (HPE) is a focus area within the broader public health field. The HPE concentration will prepare students to effectively plan, develop, implement and evaluate public health education interventions. Students within this concentration can sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Health Education Specialists work to improve the health of individuals or communities, depending on their work setting and job responsibilities. These professionals work in various settings, including health departments, nonprofit organizations, education settings and other community-based organizations. Their work may include, but is not limited to, teaching health education workshops, community organizing, developing mass media campaigns, training volunteers, managing grants, coordinating employee wellness programs, one-on-one health coaching, coalition building and advocacy to reduce health inequities and promote health for all.

Learning Outcomes:

• Design and implement theoretically-based strategies, interventions, and programs consistent with specified objectives.
• Utilize effective communication strategies to promote positive health behavior and implement engaging interventions.
• Identify behaviors that influence health, at different stages of life, and factors that influence these behaviors.
• Establish relationships and coordinate efforts with community partners and stakeholders.
• Advocate for policy, systems, and environmental change to promote health.

Health Administration Concentration (25 credits)

The concentration focuses coursework on the business and people side of health care. This formal emphasis adds management coursework that reflects current leadership and human resources strategy, quality improvement methodology, advancements in health information technology, and financial and operational management of health systems. Public Health graduates within this concentration may enjoy expanded career options and will be better prepared to assume leadership roles within traditional public health settings and hospital and related healthcare organizations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the United States health care system.
• Describe integration of current technology in support of health care operations and decision making.
• Develop skills to collaborate as a member of a healthcare team.
• Analyze and interpret financial information specific to the healthcare setting.
• Develop appropriate professional behaviors and leadership skills for careers in health care.

Global Health Concentration (24 Credits)

The Global Health concentration prepares students to address urgent public health needs and disparities in an increasingly interconnected world. With interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on experiences, the concentration will equip students with skills to tackle complex health threats facing vulnerable communities. The curriculum will empower students to improve well-being through education, advocacy, and service. With a comprehensive grounding in public health theory and practice, students will gain critical thinking abilities to formulate effective interventions and policies to achieve health equity. In summary, the Global Health concentration provides students with the knowledge, experiences, and leadership skills needed to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for underserved populations locally and globally.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain how globalization dynamics involving travel, trade, migration, and more influence health, illness, and inequity patterns.
• Discuss linkages between human health and environmental sustainability across water, air quality, cities, and ecosystems.
• Identify relationships between human rights and global health goals, guiding priorities and programming.
• Compare basic health financing models and care delivery across country income levels.
• Recognize the roles of organizations engaged in global health activities locally and internationally.
• Identify differences in major disease, disability, and mortality causes across country income level groupings.
• Recognize evidence-based interventions to advance community health locally and globally across the lifespan.
• Incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives to discuss policies and initiatives addressing population health challenges.

Public Health Internship Opportunities:

Students in the Bachelor’s in Public Health program can get real-world experience through a senior year internship. This experience helps students entering the workforce apply what they have learned in the program to a professional environment. Read all about the internship opportunities across the nation that have made students successful after graduating from UC Online.