FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL

CALL   866.527.5268
Follow us on :

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

School of Health Sciences

Prepare to serve as a public health professional or as an advocate for the development of healthy individuals, organizations, and communities.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Complete our online form
APPLY NOW
Start the enrollment process
Kaplan Commitment
Try us for five weeks
Protecting and improving the health and wellness of people—particularly the most vulnerable, such as children and seniors—could be a rewarding, opportunity-rich career path. America’s public health system has an increasing need* for educated professionals with the knowledge and skills to confront community health issues, collect and analyze health data, and create plans that promote healthier lifestyles and environments.

Program Highlights

The Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Public Health could help prepare you to serve as a public health professional or as an advocate for the development of healthy individuals, organizations, and communities. The program is designed to help you:

  • Understand the principles and practice of public health, including pathophysiology (how diseases alter normal body functions), microbiology, epidemiology (the study of infectious diseases), biostatistics, and health variations among population groups.
  • Conduct research and inquiries in public health settings using the scientific method, critical thinking, and problem solving.
  • Study to gain skills and knowledge to impart the principles of healthy living to individuals and groups.
  • Design public health education programs for a variety of populations.
  • Study the forces that impact the health delivery system and learn effective health care management techniques.
  • Achieve the professional, ethical, and legal standards necessary for leadership in the public health industry.

A Fast Track to a Master’s Degree

Students enrolled in Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health can choose to complete the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Public Health-to-Master of Public Health option. Designed for high-potential undergraduate students interested in earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, the accelerated option allows you to work toward your Bachelor of Science in Public Health while simultaneously completing up to two core courses in the Master of Public Health. If you successfully complete these courses with a minimum course grade, and have applied and been accepted to the Kaplan University Master of Public Health, you will have an additional three graduate courses waived and enter a shortened version of the master’s degree program.

The accelerated option allows you to earn your Kaplan University Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Master of Public Health at a faster pace and lower cost than completing each degree separately. Qualification for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Public Health-to-Master of Public Health option is subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Course # Course Title Credits
100/200-level 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE 5
100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE 5
200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE 6
300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE
Course # Course Title Credits
HS 200 DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY 5
DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY
Studies include the most common diseases of bodily systems, including disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. Students also study alternative treatments and pain management.
HS 230 HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION 5
HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
This course discusses the scope and practice of health care administration. Students learn various models of health care delivery systems and social, political, individual, and organizational forces that impact health care delivery. Studies will include marketing, operations, financial, and human resources management, as well as effective communication strategies involved in health care administration.
MM 207 STATISTICS 5
STATISTICS

This course serves as an introduction to collecting, organizing and summarizing, and analyzing data using statistical software. Topics include basic terminology, measurement, sampling procedures, graphical and numerical descriptions of data, basic probability, and making inferences from a sample to the population. Statistical software is provided in the course and extensive use of that software is required. The course focuses on “thinking with” statistics rather than “computing” statistics.

NS 220 NUTRITION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 5
NUTRITION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
This course addresses the nutritional planning for the maintenance of health and wellness. The studies include identification, assessment, and management of nutritional deficiencies occurring due to food choices and pharmacotherapy.
PU 120 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 5
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH
This course introduces the five core disciplines of public health: health policy and management, social and behavioral health, biostatistics, epidemiology, and environmental health. Public health is explored from its historical beginning to the current issues of today. Current topics ranging from local to global perspectives are a major focus of the course. Community health issues, communicable disease control, current research and informatics, and the roles of public health professionals are also included.
PU 205 CURRENT ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 5
CURRENT ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH
A healthy community is not determined simply by high health status, but by a community that continually strives to be healthier based on decisions made. Those decisions involve peace and security, shelter, education, access to food and water, and infrastructure. The course will cover current issues in public health that many communities are facing and how to address those issues to prevent the spread of disease. A review will be integrated to include the biomedical basis of public health, some historical developments of public health, and the role of ethics, especially in research, and future challenges.
PU 240 HEALTH DISPARITY 5
HEALTH DISPARITY
Students explore diverse factors such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and language barriers that impact health care access and health outcomes in the population. Students are introduced to special challenges and solutions to address disparity in the practice of public health.
HS 305 RESEARCH METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 6
RESEARCH METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
This course enables students to explore research methodologies, including statistical analyses and study designs used in health sciences, and critically appraise the research published in scientific literature and popular media. Students learn to identify and discuss current trends in research in health sciences, nutrition, health psychology, exercise science, and complementary and alternative medicine.
HS 310 EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS 6
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS
This course familiarizes students with principles of epidemiology and its role in prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases prevalent in a determined geographical area. Students further explore the biostatical methods used in epidemiological data gathering and analysis, and discuss the importance of epidemiological studies related to effective public health strategies.
HS 320 MICROBIOLOGY 6
MICROBIOLOGY
This course introduces students to a diverse world of microorganisms including their role in health and disease. Properties of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are discussed, with emphasis on different characteristics of microorganisms including morphology, metabolism, physiochemical characteristics, and genetics. Students learn how microorganisms contribute to all areas of everyday life including food, water, environment, and industry. Important microbial diseases and the immune system and its role in fighting microbial diseases are also explored.
HS 415 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 6
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
This course addresses environmental issues and the principles, scope, and practice of environmental sciences, including investigative methodologies, natural resource management, pollution prevention, and pollution control. The local, state, and federal environmental agencies and regulations governing environmental health are discussed.
HS 440 FINANCE FOR HEALTH CARE 6
FINANCE FOR HEALTH CARE
Health information professionals play a key role in the reimbursement cycle of any health care organization. Reimbursement management, including compliance strategies, case management, auditing, payment systems, commercial and managed care, and federal insurance plans, are explored. This course also provides the student with an understanding of health care finance, basic accounting principles, the budget process, and cost/benefit analysis.
PU 340 PUBLIC HEALTH LAW 6
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
Students are introduced to key legal and regulatory issues that impact the field of public health. The course includes an overview of the different types of law, presents key information related to health insurance and government health insurance programs, and reviews the rights of individuals as they relate to public health.
HS 420 ADVANCED HEALTH INFORMATICS 6
ADVANCED HEALTH INFORMATICS
The health information field is strongly influenced by data and data standards. This course focuses on the structure and use of health information, storage methods, data sets, and e-health delivery. In addition, the development of clinical, financial, and decision support systems are addressed.
MAJOR ELECTIVES 12
MAJOR ELECTIVES
PU 499 BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN PUBLIC HEALTH 6
BACHELOR'S CAPSTONE IN PUBLIC HEALTH
The capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. This course builds on the concepts of all the 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, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program in public health.
Course # Course Title Credits
OPEN ELECTIVES* 52
OPEN ELECTIVES*

*Eligible students who choose to complete the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Public Health-to-Master of Public Health option will take up to two graduate-level courses in addition to selected undergraduate electives.
Total Program Requirements 180
Total Program Requirements

What are the Career Opportunities?

With a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Kaplan University, you may be prepared to pursue a wide range of health care positions such as public health program specialist and coordinator, emergency response coordinator, policy analyst, information specialist, community outreach worker, educator, researcher, patient advocate, and more.† You may also have a solid foundation for the pursuit of graduate-level degrees.‡

Prior Learning May Help You Save Time and Money.

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward degree requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits.§

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour $371.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Public Health 180
Total cost of tuition $66,780.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, contact an Admissions Advisor.
Chat with a representative about your financial aid options
New Programs
Psychology certificates and MS in Educational Psychology
Accredited University
Our programs offer you the highest level of educational excellence.
Introducing Kaplan Commitment
The Kaplan Commitment is part
of our pledge to help
you succeed.
Credit for Prior Learning
You may be closer than you think to earning your degree, diploma, or certificate.