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Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Prepare for an impactful career improving the health and well-being of your community and our world with a degree in public health. As a public health professional, you will focus on proactive, preventative measures – striving to reduce the risk of illness, injury or disease in populations even before it occurs – through community engagement, programming, research, policy, health behavior and more. This degree offered through the Department of Public and Environmental Wellness aligns with national and local health needs and offers extensive opportunities for collaboration with faculty, graduate students and the surrounding community. You will gain a unique health education that focuses on individual and community wellness, understanding cultural ethnicity and well-being, health promotion and disease prevention.

The innovative Public Health combined program brings together both the bachelor’s of public health and the Master of Public Health (MPH), enabling you to complete both degrees in as little as five years (rather than six or more), saving both time and money.

Curricular RequirementsAdvising Apply

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program begins with a rich array of foundational topics in areas such as health and wellness, business, psychology, research and more, enabling you to develop valuable skills necessary for successful engagement in local and global communities and the workforce. Next, in the Cultural Ethnicity and Well-Being Core, explore contemporary topics and the impact of wellness, and how to facilitate it, in the culturally and ethnically diverse populations of today's world. The program concludes with Public Health Practice where you delve into advanced public health topics, such as best practices for ethically persuading, marketing and implementing interventions that address social determinants of health.

Public Health Foundations

  • Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1000 – 4 credits)
  • Contemporary World Business (MGT 1100 – 4 credits)
  • Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors (HS 2000 – 3 credits)
  • Introduction to Health Literacy (PH 2800 – 4 credits)
  • Basic Statistics for Health Sciences (EHS 2250 – 3 credits) OR
    Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (STA 2220 – 4 credits)
  • Research Methods in Health Sciences (HS 3250 – 3 credits) OR
    Research Design in Psychology (PSY 2500 – 4 credits)

Cultural Ethnicity and Well-Being Core

  • Equitable Wellness for Diverse Populations (WHP 3010 – 4 credits)
  • Contemporary Topics in Health (HS 3400 – 3 credits)
  • Culture, Ethnicity and Wellbeing (WHP 3700 – 3 credits)
  • Wellness Facilitation (WHP 3600 – 4 credits)
  • Assessment and Interventions in Wellness (WHP 4000 – 4 credits)
  • Laboratory in Assessment and Interventions (WHP 4030 – 4 credits)

Public Health Core

  • Introduction to Public Health (PH 3000 – 3 credits)
  • Social Determinants of Health (PH 4650 – 4 credits)
  • Health Psychology (PSY 3450 – 4 credits)
  • Persuasion and Marketing in Health Promotion (PH 3800 – 4 credits)
  • Public Health Program Implementation (PH 3500 – 4 credits)
  • Ethics in Health Care (HS 4500 – 4 credits)
  • Internship in Health Promotion (PH 4950 – 4 credits) OR
    Directed Research in Public Health (PH 4995 – 4 credits)

Pursue an in-demand and meaningful career with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree. Opportunities include:

  • Public health educator
  • Corporate wellness coordinator
  • Health services manager
  • Human resources health consultant
  • Health programming consultant
  • Community health project manager
  • Public health responder
  • Health data analyst

You will also be well-equipped for graduate study. Pursue your Master of Public Health degree at Oakland University individually or in combination with your bachelor's degree. Other advanced degree opportunities include health administration, health psychology and more.

Job Outlook
One of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce, public health and wellness professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government, doctors’ offices, private businesses, and colleges. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in this field is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032.

Average Salary
Zip Recruiter reports that the average annual wage for a graduate of a bachelor’s degree in public health is $72,213.

Attend an information session to gain valuable insights into the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program. Interact with program faculty, get answers to your questions, and learn about the program's curriculum, admission requirements and career prospects.

Sessions are held virtually. Register to join and a link will be emailed to you.

Caress Dean, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Chairperson and Associate Professor
[email protected]

Academic Advising

Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected] 

School of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369


Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]