Public Health

Admission Requirements

General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

To be admitted to any of the undergraduate programs at South University, the prospective student must provide proof of high school graduation as recognized by the state of residence on the date the degree was earned, or the equivalent (e.g. GED with no single test score below 145 or numeric score equivalent to 2.0 on old version or state-issued certificate designated as the equivalent of a High School Diploma) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The prospective student must also complete the university administered placement tests prior to the start of the first quarter for campus students and during the first session of attendance for online students. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation. Credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service.  Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may meet admissions requirements by submitting a minimum combined SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) score of 700 or 900 on the old SAT, a combined ACT score of 18, or a satisfactory score on the university-administered admissions examination (see the Admissions Office) or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.

Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 CGPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal.  Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.

To facilitate the admissions process, unofficial documentation, such as copies of transcripts or grade reports, may be used to determine admission status. Transfer status cannot be designated, however, without some verifying documentation. Admissions test scores on university administered entrance exams will not be accepted from other universities. Prospective students must take a University administered admission exam, like the Accuplacer, at South University.

A student's failure to provide acceptable verification of proof of high school graduation within 10 weeks of his or her start date will result in the following:

• Removal from class
• Cancellation of enrollment
• No final course grades
• No transcript

NOTES: Students who do not provide proof of high school graduation within the 10-week period will not be responsible for any tuition and related fees.

South University may grant exceptions to the 10-week period for unusual situations or circumstances.  All exceptions must be submitted to the office of the University Registrar for approval.

Please see the policy on GPA Calculation for Admission for additional information

Career Outlook

Course Requirements

Outcomes

Offered at South University, Austin; South University, Columbia; South University, Montgomery; South University, Online Programs; South University, Orlando Off-Campus Instructional Site; South University, Richmond; South University, Savannah; South University, Tampa; South University, Virginia, Beach; and South University, West Palm Beach.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health professional and advocate for population health.  The curriculum is designed to provide a broad general education, strong foundation in the human health and disease sciences, and core areas of public health.  The curriculum aligns with the competencies expected of a public health practitioner by providing courses in health communication, health disparities, legal and ethical issues, management of public health systems, and policy and research.  Students develop the ability to apply core concepts to assess the health needs of diverse populations at the local, national and international levels, plan and evaluate programs, and communicate and advocate health promotion.  Graduates are prepared to contribute to delivery of the essential services of public health in health agencies at the government or community-based level and in the private sector, continue to learn throughout their professional careers, and to pursue graduate study in public health and the health sciences.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates should be able to:

1. Explain and apply the basic concepts of public health including an historical perspective to the practice of public health at the local, national and global level.
2. Recognize the biological and chemical basis of human health and disease and utilize that knowledge as a foundation for promoting health and wellness across the lifespan.
3. Relate the interconnectedness among physical, social, biological and environmental factors to their impact on the health of individuals and communities and reasons for health disparities.
4. Evaluate the collection methods, source and quality of health information and data as it relates to individual and community health and the evidence based practice of public health at the local, national and global levels.
5. Compare and contrast various governmental and non-governmental healthcare agencies, organizations and systems in the United States and around the world and their role in individual and public health.
6. Describe how legislation, ethics and economics impact public health policy and the effects on both individual and population health.
7. Discuss the role of public health professionals in the health of populations by identifying the needs of a community and the development and evaluation of health education programs.
8. Identify and assess methods and communication strategies including social media and electronic technology for health education and promotion campaigns and develop plans for communicating public health specific information to a diverse population.
9. Apply the skills required to assess public health needs of a community or population at the local and global levels and plan, implement, and evaluate programs to meet those needs.