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Public Health Degree Online Bachelor of Science (BS)
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
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.
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:
Healthcare Delivery Systems
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.
Principles of Epidemiology
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.
Statistics for Healthcare Professionals
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.
Population Health and Cultural Competence
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.
Ethical and Legal Considerations of Healthcare
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.
Fundamentals of Public Health
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.
Biological Concepts for Public 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.
Research and Assessment in 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.
Public Health Education and Communication
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.
Social and Behavioral Health
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.
Evaluation Methods in Public Health
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.
Programming Planning in Public Health
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.
Public Health Capstone Communication
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.
The Commons: SNHU's gen ed program
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
Cultural Awareness and Online Learning
Course ID:
IDS 105
This course introduces students to the skills relevant to university learning, and the foundational knowledge and values of intercultural fluency needed to understand and effectively navigate the complexities of contemporary society. Students will examine the various factors that influence an individual's perception of justice and the impacts that cultural and social diversity have on collaboration and communication processes. Through the application of interpersonal communication strategies, students will also learn to navigate various interpersonal conflict situations.
Self, Society, and the Humanities
Course ID:
HUM 102
In this course, students explore the interaction between individuals and society as a framework for understanding cultural inquiry. Through the examination of the scientific, creative, cultural, and historical humanities, students develop a practice of reflexivity to describe conceptions of self, others, and systems and their interconnectedness.
Foundations of Written Communication
Course ID:
ENG 130
This course focuses on written communication and writing practice. Students will gain the critical reading and information literacy related skills vital to academic and workplace success. Students will explore methods to analyze, summarize, and evaluate written works to isolate key ideas and information. Students will examine how to adapt the writing process to a variety of writing situations and present their own perspectives in written form.
Mathematical Reasoning for Modern Problem-Solving
Course ID:
MAT 126
In this course, students learn about the use of mathematical reasoning and the practical application of quantitative techniques to inform their decision-making process. Students will develop the skills to critically examine elements of a problem they might face in their day-to-day personal and professional lives, solve for various outcomes using quantitative techniques, and make informed decisions.
Ethics in Global Society
Course ID:
PHL 218
In this course, students explore various ethical frameworks from a cultural and global perspective. Students examine the ways that ethics influence actions, decisions, and perceptions. Furthermore, students develop associated skills related to critical thinking, such as awareness of bias, to analyze issues from an ethical standpoint.
STEM Principles and Problem-Solving
Course ID:
SCI 260
In this course, students learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) methodologies to a wide variety of contemporary issues and complex challenges within society to obtain knowledge and use that knowledge to develop recommendations and propose solutions. Students will leverage a scientific mindset to gather information, analyze data, and communicate information in varying ways based on their intended audience.
Social Issues and Decision-Making
Course ID:
SCS 260
In this course, students use social science methodologies to analyze various sociocultural issues and their impacts on society. In their exploration of the concept of society and how it manifests in different cultures, students learn to contextualize themselves within society, examine the relationship between the individual and society, and analyze the ethical implications of decision-making related to contemporary social issues.
Minimum Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen 7 5000 series
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 (Laptop GPU) or AMD Radeon RX 6750M+
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (32GB recommended for multitasking and creative work)
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD (1TB recommended for longevity)
- Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080), 60Hz+ (QHD optional for creative/visual work)
- OS: Windows 11 Home or Pro
- Internet/bandwidth: 5Mbps download, 1Mbps upload and less than 100ms latency
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Where to purchase: You may purchase any computer brand you wish from any location/reseller, relying on the minimum specs provided to ensure the acquisition of an appropriate machine. We recommend asking your preferred vendor if they offer a student discount, since many do.
- Mac users: You must verify your machine offers comparable specs.
- Devices that don’t meet minimum requirements: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device.
- Microsoft Office software: Office 365 is available to all students for free. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion.
- Antivirus software: This is strongly recommended for online students. Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Apply for free in minutes
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: October 27, 2025 | January 5, 2026
Next term starts:
September 1, 2025
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 91.6% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2024 survey with 8,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
8-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
Learn from instructors with industry experience
Our faculty bring with them decades of experience in the public health field, and exhibit strong leadership both in the classroom and in their professional careers. This experience informs the development of courses and curriculum that can help position graduates for success, no matter what they pursue next.
Featured Faculty
Dr. Kristine Thomas-Jones
Dr. Thomas-Jones joined Southern New Hampshire University with over 15 years’ experience teaching health science and research methods. She is a certified Culturally Inclusive Educator whose research interest includes American Indians/Alaskan Natives’ access to healthcare, as well as their perspectives on the COVID vaccination. Beyond academia, Thomas-Jones is a licensed chiropractor who worked for nearly a decade at a Rhode Island wellness practice, caring for her patients and the local community. In 2022, Thomas-Jones’ article "Healthcare Access and Utilization for Urban American Indians/Urban Alaskan Natives versus Urban Non-Hispanic Whites from the Northeast United States" was published in the International Public Health Journal.
Position
Clinical Faculty, Public Health
Joined SNHU
2022
Education
- PhD in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology from Walden University
- MS in Molecular and Cell Biology from Quinnipiac University
- BA in Speech Communication from University of Rhode Island
Read more about Dr. Kristine Thomas-Jones and other online faculty at SNHU.
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
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 250,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
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
Step 1: Complete the online application – it only takes minutes.
It's easy, fast and free.
Step 2: Submit additional forms.
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!)
Step 3: Make your decision.
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.
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
$342
$1,026
$41,040
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$250
$750
$30,000
*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:
$10,260 $15,390 $20,520 $25,650 $30,780If 30 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $30,780
If 45 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $25,650
If 60 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $20,520
If 75 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,390
If 90 of your prior learning credits ($342/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $10,260
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.
Ways to save on online tuition
Transfer your credits
Transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Apply for financial aid
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Military discounts and credit
Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of tuition discounts for active-duty service members and spouses.
Explore scholarships
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Earn credit for exams and certificates
Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.
Tuition Reimbursement
Learn how you can save money with tuition reimbursement from your employer.
Benefit from your employer
Take advantage of an online tuition discount through your organization’s partnership with SNHU. Check with your employer to see if your organization partners with us and if you’re eligible for additional tuition savings and partner education benefits.
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.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Improve efficiency and quality of services, make sure facilities stay in compliance, prepare and monitor budgets and spending, and communicate with medical staff.
Health Education Specialist
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.
Community Health Worker
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 nationally 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 nationally for information security analysts as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1 Statistic not based on wage data for SNHU graduates.
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 are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
What SNHU students are saying
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
What is a public health professional?
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.
What are some careers in public health?
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.
Is public health a good career?
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.
How long is a public health degree?
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.
That 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)."
It all adds up to less time and tuition, and a much faster pathway to reaching your goals.
How much does a bachelor's of public health make?
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
What is the difference between public health and community health?
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.
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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)