Public Health
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Bachelor of Science in Public Health
At the Virginia Beach campus of South University, the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is available to help students gain the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health professional and advocate for population health*. The Bachelor of Public Health program curriculum provides a broad general education, strong foundation in the human health and disease sciences, and core areas of public health. Students have the opportunity to develop the ability to apply core public health science 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.
*South University does not promise or guarantee employment.
Please note: While you may be able to take some general education courses at this campus, all other courses, including specialized courses, will be taken online.
Admission Requirements
Procedure for Admission to the Master of Public Health
The criteria used in determining admissions to the Master of Public Health degree program include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.7 (on a scale of 4.0) OR
- An earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Effective for all students starting on or after October 24, 2023. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course or equivalent (approved by COPH department chair) with a grade of “C” or better is required for Master of Public Health. Students accepted into the program without having completed the required Statistics course must complete the course within two sessions after their acceptance date or will be dismissed. Students cannot appeal the dismissal from the university as a result of failure to meet the conditions of provisional admission.
- Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended within 5 weeks* of the class start date.
- Provisional Admissions: A cumulative GPA of 2.5 -2.69. Students must receive a final course grade of B or better in all public health courses for the first two quarters to be fully admitted into the MPH program.
- Provisionally admitted students are permitted one attempt per course for the first two quarters. Students who do not receive a final course grade of B or better in all public health courses will have the provisional admission rescinded. There is no appeal for rescinding provisional status. Once all required admissions documents and information are submitted, the application will be reviewed and evaluated by the MPH Program Director for final admission decision.
*Effective August 14, 2023 – Students beginning classes at Online Programs will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Career Outlook
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.Course Requirements
Outcomes
Offered at South University, Atlanta, Online Programs, Savannah and Virginia Beach but all classes will be offered only in an online format. Fully online programs can have a ground clinical or practicum experience.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program at South University is a 56-credit program designed to educate students and working professionals about areas of critical importance to local, national, and international public health challenges. The MPH program is organized around a curriculum which consists of core competencies, principal courses, and a practicum experience. The core courses cover the five main areas of public health competencies. The principal courses are designed to cover a broad range of topics to help develop each student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in public health practice and to further develop the skillsets of working professionals in the public health field. Lastly the students take part in a practicum experience that synthesizes information learned throughout the program and as such should be taken as the last course in the program.
Mission Statement
Our public health program is dedicated to preparing an inclusive community of practitioners, educators, and scholars who are committed to working in their communities to promote health equity for all.
Vision Statement
A future where everyone regardless of their background, location, or income, has the potential to lead the healthiest life possible
Core Values
Health Equity: The program is committed to creating an environment where all individuals can reach their full health potential. Students are empowered to address health challenges across various populations, equipping them with the skills to improve the quality of life and access to healthcare. This includes understanding the difference between health equality and equity, recognizing and addressing the lack of resources such as funding, transportation, and social conditions that impact health outcomes.
Community-Based: The program emphasizes a community-based approach to public health. It focuses on local communities, particularly those with limited resources and in need of greater capacity. Students are trained to work closely with community members, informing policy makers, and engaging distance-based stakeholders with limited accessibility. The program aims to address health disparities and support populations that have historically been underserved or marginalized.
Practice Approach: The program prioritizes training students to work in professional practice. It prepares students to tackle real-world situations and meet the needs of communities through assessment and partnership with community members. Students are encouraged to become change agents and actively engage in community-based participatory practices. They are equipped to explain public health concepts effectively within the community setting and contribute to practical solutions.
Inclusion: The program is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students from non-traditional backgrounds and those with limited access to opportunities. It seeks to ensure that participatory engagement within the program reflects the communities students relate to. The program actively seeks to include students who may be overlooked or lack access to other public health programs, providing them with the necessary means to pursue education and contribute to the field.
Program Goals:
Teaching: Provide a competency-based curriculum that equips students to practice in communities, to promote public health, and to address health equity issues.
Service: Empower students to work with communities and implement public health practices with cultural humility and respect
Scholarship: Promote health equity in communities by engaging in scholarly activities and preparing students to apply scholarship in public health practice.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program Students will:
- Explain the history and philosophy, and core functions of Public Health public health professional.
- Apply evidence-based approaches that utilize quantitative and qualitative methods to inform program planning, implementation, evaluation
- Evaluate the organization, structure and function of Public Health and healthcare systems both nationally and globally.
- Design culturally sensitive community-based health programs that address racism, structural bias, and social determinants of health to achieve health equity.
- Develop written and oral public health content that is culturally competent and audience appropriate.
- Apply leadership skills to build partnerships or coalitions that advocate for policies and programs to address community health challenges.
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Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.
*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.
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