The online public health degree provides a strong foundation of biological and social sciences with courses in anatomy, physiology and statistics. The core major courses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of public health and insights into healthcare administration and delivery systems. Course topics include epidemiology, research and assessment, program planning, health communication and education, healthcare law and ethics in national and global contexts.

Upon completion of the online public health degree, you’ll be able to:

• Utilize statistical constructs and epidemiological principles to recognize patterns and trends within the scope of public health
• Apply fundamental public health strategies in assessment, planning and prevention to improve the health, safety and quality of life for people in their communities
• Articulate the efficacy of health programs targeted at improving healthcare access, quality and delivery to ensure community and population health
• Describe the fundamental social and behavioral frameworks in public health to identify health disparities and promote social justice
• Develop a professional identity from which to make globally, socially and ethically responsible public health decisions that are aligned with legal and organizational policy requirements
• Design technical and professional communication strategies that promote effective public health campaigns

As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of enrolling in the public health bachelor’s program online at UMS include:

• Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
• Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
• Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your bachelor’s program at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
• Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
• Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
• Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
• Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
• Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree

The online public health degree is designed to prepare you for a variety of promising careers including medical and health services manager, health educator or community health worker.

The demand for educated, experienced public health professionals will continue to rise based on growing populations and the need for disease prevention, surveillance and education.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports strong growth in these fields. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 20% through 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.* Jobs for health educators and community health workers are estimated to increase by 16% through 2026.*

Public health professionals work in various settings and industries, including:

• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Managed care organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• State and local health departments
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The curriculum for our online public health degree program is based on the curriculum standards of the Council on Education for Public Health and is designed to prepare you for entry into this rewarding field. Please note, the program is not accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

UMS's bachelor's in public health program includes:

• General education
• Degree-specific courses

General Education Program

Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:

• Writing
• Communication
• Analysis
• Problem solving

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.