Bachelor of Science in Public Health

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)

The OU Pledge is our commitment to provide experience-based and hands-on learning through participation in programs, student and professional organizations, research, community engagement and more. 

Possibilities include:

• Internship or directed research experience as part of the program
• Public Health Professionals student organization
• Community Health Engagement and Empowerment Research (CHEER) Lab
• ECLIPSE Leadership Initiative

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 $79,657.

Information sessions to be announced.

Internship Site List
Public Health Combined Program
Public Health Professionals Student Organization

Charlie Rinehart, M.A.
Coordinator and Special Lecturer
Public Health, Wellness and Health Promotion
[email protected]

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
[email protected]
(248) 370-2369