Public Health (B.S.)

Program Overview:

This program will provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health generalist. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in human health and disease, addressing health communication, health disparities, legal and ethical issues, management of public health systems, and policy and research. 

Graduates will develop the ability to apply core concepts to assess population health needs and to plan, evaluate, and advocate for effective health promotion. Graduates will be equipped to enhance public health services and advance the health and well‑being of communities at every level. 

DELIVERY: On-campus | Online

42 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

This program will provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health generalist. The curriculum provides a broad general education, a strong foundation in human health and disease, addressing the five core areas of public health including health communication, health disparities, legal and ethical issues, management of public health systems, and policy and research.

Graduates will develop the ability to apply core concepts to assess the health needs of diverse populations locally, nationally and internationally, plan and evaluate programs, and communicate and advocate health promotion. Graduates will be prepared to impact the delivery of crucial public health services, thus improving the health, safety, and welfare of local, regional, national, and global communities.

Departmental Requirements (24 hours)

• PUBH 250 - Social and Environmental Drivers of Health
• PUBH 315 - Introduction to Public Health
• PUBH 320 - Introduction to Epidemiology
• PUBH 325 - Global Health
• HSC 330 - Native People’s Health Care, Promotion and Policy (also can be taken as NATV 330 - Native People’s Health Care, Promotion and Policy )
• PUBH 401 - Introduction to Public Health Biostatistics
• PUBH 410 - Public Health Communication
• PUBH 470 - Public Health Collaborative Project

Required Support Courses (9 hours)

• MLS 415 - Communicable Diseases and Public Health
• HLTH 422 - Nutrition (C)
• POLS 421 - The Nonprofit Sector

Major Electives (9 hours)

• HSC 110 - The Interprofessional Health Team [HSDC]
• MLS 328 - Non-Bacterial Microorganisms in Med Lab
• MLS 328L - Lab: Non-Bacterial Microorganisms
• HSC 262 - Health Careers Exploration (C) [HSDC]
• HSC 310 - Health Care Delivery Systems
• HSC 340 - Interprofessional Approach to Person-Centered Care
• HSC 360 - Technology in Care Delivery
• HSC 365 - Introduction to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• HSC 380 - Health Literacy and Culture Care **
• PUBH 420 - Applied Health Promotion Strategies **
• HSC 440 - Research and Writing on Chronic Illness
• HSAD 475 - Intro to Health Informatics
• PUBH 494 - Internship (C) (1-9 credit hours)
• PUBH 498 - Research (C) **
• Other courses as approved by the program director.

Health Education Specialization (optional) 9 hours

**The Health Education Specialization satisfies the 9 credits of required major elective coursework

• HSC 380 - Health Literacy and Culture Care
• PUBH 420 - Applied Health Promotion Strategies
• PUBH 498 - Research (C) (3 cr hrs required)

Accelerated B.S. in Public Health to Master of Public Health (MPH)

The accelerated program integrating the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BS) with the Master of Public Health (MPH) will prepare students for advanced study and careers in public health. 

The flexibility of the MPH curriculum allows students admitted to USD-SDSU’s MPH program to select from any of the MPH graduate-level courses (except for practicum or capstone credits [i.e., PUBH 720, 721, 722, 723, 729, 730]), allowing 12 credits to count toward both their graduate and undergraduate degrees. The accelerated option is available for the B.S. in Public Health degree and the B.S. in Public Health with Health Education Specialization.   

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to complete 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the academic year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. Please note, some courses in this major are offered online.

• Public Health, B.S. 4-year plan guide
• Public Health, B.S. with Health Education specialization 4-year plan guide

Accelerated programs:

• Public Health, B.S. to Public Health, MPH 4 Year Plan
• Public Health, B.S. to Public Health, MPH 5 Year Plan
• Public Health, B.S. with Health Ed Specialization to Public Health, MPH 4 Year Plan
• Public Health, B.S. with Health Ed Specialization to Public Health, MPH 5 Year Plan

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs

This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.