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Public Health Degree Online Bachelor of Science (BS)

Minda Thurman, who earned her degree from SNHU, standing in front of her home holding her framed.

Cost per credit $330

Total courses 40

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get a public health degree online?

Ready to make an impact in a rapidly growing field? Start by earning your online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health at Southern New Hampshire University.

When you earn your public health degree online, you'll dive into real-world public health challenges head on. This online bachelor's program provides a strong foundation in biological and social sciences, and emphasizes evidence-based approaches to program assessment, planning and evaluation. You'll also explore strategies for preventing disease, prolonging life and improving the health of entire populations.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Use principles to recognize patterns and trends
  • Apply strategies to improve health, safety and quality of life
  • Explain the effectiveness of health programs
  • Identify health disparities and promote social justice
  • Make globally, socially and ethically responsible decisions
  • Design communication strategies that promote campaigns
Minda Thurman, who earned her BS in public health, wearing glasses and working on her laptop in her kitchen with an SNHU water bottle on the table beside her.

Courses & Curriculum Online public health courses built for the modern workforce

The BS in Public Health program prepares graduates for the workforce as competent, emerging public health professionals. The courses in this program were thoughtfully designed to help you understand — and find solutions for — today's public health challenges.

Through your courses, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of public health, get insight into the administration and evaluation of public health programs, and expand your knowledge of the healthcare delivery system.

Degree Courses

Online public health courses

Throughout your program, you'll take major courses that lay the foundation for your knowledge of all things public health: topics like epidemiology, research and assessment, program planning, health communication and education, and healthcare law and ethics in national and global contexts. You'll also complete a capstone project that encompasses all you've learned in your program — a great addition to your portfolio to showcase to employers.

And no matter where your career takes you next, you'll be able to apply what you've learned to a variety of real-world public health challenges. Whether you choose to work in your community, in a role with national reach or even focus your efforts globally, you'll have an opportunity to use your degree to improve public health in real, impactful ways.

Courses may include:

Course ID: HCM 340
This course provides an overview of the nature, organization, and function of the continuum of health services found in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the interrelation of cultural, economic, political and social aspects of health care delivery at the federal, state and local level. Topics include health care costs, accessibility of services, governmental influence on health care delivery, private industry role in health care, services for the medically indigent and elderly, ethical issues regarding transplants, reproductive technology, end of life decisions and funding.
Course ID: IHP 330
Learn basic principles of epidemiology with emphasis on applications in healthcare management. Examine specific epidemiology tools used for purposes of planning, monitoring, and evaluating population health. Consider methods for managing the health of populations, understanding the factors that influence population health, and strategies that healthcare organizations and systems can use to control these factors.
Course ID: IHP 340
This course explores the basic statistical concepts of inference, variability, and statistical significance. Statistical methods used to describe data, quantify relationships and to test for differences between means will be studied. Parametric statistics will be the main focus but some common nonparametric tests will be introduced. The course will focus on the interpretation of published research findings.
Course ID: IHP 410
This course explores a population-based approach to understanding disease management, chronic care management, and health policy making. It explores how behavioral factors, social circumstances and environmental exposures affects a population and how to mitigate these factors using culturally relevant approaches to create a culture of wellness.
Course ID: IHP 420
Students in this course examine the role of health care policy and legal, regulatory, and quality control in ethical decision making in healthcare. Students explore concepts and principles of health care policy, legal control, ethical conduct, and regulatory environments and their application to the health care environment. The impact of health care policy and multicultural, socioeconomic, political, legal, and regulatory factors on health care systems is explored.
Course ID: PHE 101
This course introduces students to the field of public health: its historical evolution, fundamental theories, concepts and practice in the US, and its core values and ethical principles. The structure of the public health system, the ten essential services, and the core knowledge areas (epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, environmental health, and healthcare policy and administration) are outlined in order for students to comprehend the breadth of complex factors impacting health and the tools available to protect and promote health.
Course ID: PHE 321
This course explores the major determinants of human disease from an integrated ecological perspective that brings together population-based approaches to the study of infectious disease and genetically determined diseases. Students learn about how infectious diseases are transmitted, risk factors and biological processes for common diseases, and the impact of these and control strategies on public health.
Course ID: PHE 327
Students in this class will develop the introductory knowledge and skills to apply assessment instruments, data collection, research designs, and statistical analysis to assess need, assets, and capacity for health education programs. Existing data sets will be introduced that will increase access to information to develop and implement health promotion projects that are fiscally feasible while meeting specific health promotion needs of a targeted population.
Course ID: PHE 330
The purpose of this course is to develop communication skills relevant to public health and examine the impact of mass media, social media, and the internet on health outcomes. Communications is a crucial tool in dealing with global public health challenges. Strong communication skills are necessary in the developing effective public health education, sound advocacy and successful policy development and implementation. In addition, the course explores how communication is currently being used by public health organizations and agencies.
Course ID: PHE 340
The course provides an overview of the contribution of the social and behavioral sciences to health behavior. Social and behavioral science fundamentals (principles, theories, research, and techniques) that are employed to address current and past public health problems are examined. Key concepts such culture, race/ethnicity, gender, poverty/disparities, factors related to behavior change, community, organizational climate, family are examined from a social and behavioral sciences perspective.
Course ID: PHE 423
This course will cover contextual issues surrounding evaluation, evaluation designs and methodological issues, steps involved in conducting an evaluation, communicating the results, and ensuring that evaluation findings are used by intended users.
Course ID: PHE 425
The purpose of this course is to provide basic knowledge in public health sciences, and practical skills to effectively plan, implement, and manage programs that address public health problems in a variety of settings. The course explores key concepts, theories, and methods in planning and implementing successful health promotion programs and healthy public policy.
Course ID: PHE 489
Taken in the student's final term, the capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. This course builds on the theories and concepts of all courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project/paper, while assessing their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program in public health. In addition, students present their capstone project and reflection on the experience to their instructor and their peers in the course. Students will also post their capstone project and presentation into their e-Portfolio.

Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Public Health curriculum.

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Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: March 3, 2025 | May 5, 2025

Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
5 ways SNHU makes the admission process "easy-peasy" #shorts

Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$330
$990
$39,600
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$231
$693
$27,720

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$9,900 $14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 30 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $29,700

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750

If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800

If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850

If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online public health degree?

With such a wide variety of health-related causes to choose from, your online public health degree could take your career in a number of directions. You might serve as a program assistant with an international health organization. Maybe you'll carry out health-related assessments at construction sites. Work as a research assistant with a nonprofit organization, or do consulting work related to disease prevention.

No matter where you take your career next, a bachelor's degree in public health can help you build the skills needed for success.

Occupations

With Southern New Hampshire University's BS in Public Health under your belt, you may be qualified to step into an array of impactful roles, including:

Improve efficiency and quality of services, make sure facilities stay in compliance, prepare and monitor budgets and spending, and communicate with medical staff.

Improve efficiency and quality of services, make sure facilities stay in compliance, prepare and monitor budgets and spending, and communicate with medical staff.

Develop programs and events that can help your audience learn about health topics. Help people find the information they need, and advocate for continuous improvement in resources.

Discuss health concerns with community members, provide informal counseling and support, collect data to identify needs, and make referrals and offer transportation for access to healthcare.

28%
Increase in medical and health services manager positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Jobs for health educators and community health workers are estimated to increase by 7% in the same timeframe.1
$62,860
Median annual pay for health educators as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

Erin Kehl '22
Erin Kehl '22

I chose SNHU because I was looking for a well rounded program that would not only allow me to get academic knowledge, but also practical knowledge.

Erin Kehl '22

Frequently Asked Questions

A public health professional assesses the health of populations rather than focusing on the health of one person at a time.

As you work toward becoming a public health professional, you'll study core disciplines, one or more of which could be essential to your career:

  • Behavioral and social sciences. Influencing behavior to encourage healthier habits.
  • Biostatistics. Designing studies and examining health data.
  • Epidemiology. Determining populations at risk for specific conditions or illnesses.
  • Health policy and administration. Formulating and writing the policies that impact the health industry.

By becoming a public health professional, you can help alter the direction of health – for current generations and the generations to come.

Roles in the public health field may include:

  • Community planners
  • Epidemiologists
  • First responders
  • Health educators
  • Occupational health and safety professionals
  • Public health nurses
  • Public policymakers
  • Restaurant inspectors
  • Scientists and researchers

You may also find yourself in positions where you are:

  • Serving as a program assistant with an international health organization
  • Carrying out health-related assessments at construction sites
  • Working as a research assistant with a nonprofit organization
  • Doing consulting work related to disease prevention
  • Working at a company that does health communication and health marketing
  • Conducting air quality sampling and surveying
  • Responding to calls at a West Nile virus hotline

Some public health professionals take advantage of government programs to gain more experience, such as:

  • Serving in the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps
  • Participating in a CDC training fellowship

Some of these career paths may require additional education or licensing beyond a BS in Public Health – to both enter the field and advance in it. SNHU is one university that offers a master's in public health online program.

Absolutely. In fact, if you're passionate about the work, a job in the public health field could be an incredibly impactful and rewarding one.

Because public health is such a broad topic, there are many places you can effect change. This also adds to job security and the opportunity for growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the health field is expected to grow much faster than average through 2032, adding about 2 million new jobs each year.1

A bachelor's degree in public health can offer a perfect entryway into a field that is so increasingly vital – not just in the United States but around the world.

Dr. Sarah McCool, adjunct faculty at SNHU, adds that, for a field as dynamic as public health, it's critical that graduates are as prepared as possible to hit the ground running.

Public health is particularly useful for those interested in finding solutions to a population's overall health problems. Rather than respond to individual patients with health concerns, this field values a more proactive than reactive approach to keeping communities safe.

"We want to get involved and prevent something from happening rather than fix something once it has happened," said McCool.

Bachelor’s degrees are traditionally known as 4-year programs. But the amount of time your program takes to finish depends on a few factors.

Take, for example, your full-time or part-time status. At SNHU, full-time students take 2 courses per term while part-time students take 1 course per term. With 6 terms per year, full-time students who start with no credits can finish in 3.5 years if they don't take a term off.

Most of our students, though, transfer in credits when they begin their degree. Bringing credits into your online public health degree program can help you get to the finish line faster.

Erin Kehl with the text Erin KehlThat was the case for Erin Kehl '22. "When I was researching online degree programs, SNHU met all the criteria I was looking for," she said. "I was able to transfer in most of my undergraduate general education (courses)."

Here, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your program. The bachelor's in public health takes 120 credits to complete, so a student with the maximum number of transfer credits could already be 3/4 of the way to graduation.

It all adds up to less time and tuition, and a much faster pathway to reaching your goals.

Depending on the role you're aiming for, you could position yourself for some significant earning potential.

For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that medical and health services managers received median annual wages of $110,680 in 2023 – much higher than the median annual wage for all U.S. workers.1 

You may also choose to become a health educator, a role whose median annual wages were $62,860 in 2023.1

In short, public health is concerned with protecting entire populations – from local communities to an entire country. Community health is a subset of public health that focuses on promoting and improving the health of those in the community.

Public health initiatives can be seen everywhere, from diabetic awareness and seatbelt safety to needle exchange programs and COVID-19 testing. These officials try to get ahead of the work of doctors and nurses so that individuals won't need to be treated for sickness or injury.2

Public health officials promote healthcare equity and quality, advocating for all members of the population to have access to the care they need. They also take science into consideration when creating solutions to problems the population is facing.

Community health is similar, but focuses on specific needs and resources available within the community.

Think weight-loss programs, breast and cervical cancer screenings, food pantries, reduced-rate fitness center memberships, free and reduced lunch programs, nutrition education or asthma management. These are often held at hospitals, schools or workplaces, to meet people where they are.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

2 CDC Foundation, on the internet, at

  • https://www.cdcfoundation.org/partners (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health (viewed April 22, 2024)