Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The School of Public Health offers two Bachelor of Science degree programs: BS in Public Health and BS in Health Services Management and Leadership (HSML) which are typically completed in a four-year period.
BS in Public Health Overview
The Public Health program allows students to select from three Areas of Emphasis, which is a track or focus area within the degree. Every student must complete at least one Area of Emphasis from the following: 1) Community and Population Health, 2) Public Health Sciences, or 3) Patient Navigation.
Graduates of the Public Health program are prepared for entry-level positions in a wide array of agencies involved in public and private health, including local, regional and state health departments, consulting and advocacy organizations, healthcare organizations, and government agencies, as well as entry into select graduate and professional programs. The selected Area of Emphasis can help students better prepare to meet specific professional goals.
BS in Health Services Management and Leadership
Students in this program will acquire the knowledge and skills to become health services managers, who oversee day-to-day operations; set and carry out policies, goals, and procedures; evaluate the quality of the staff's work; and develop reports and budgets for health-related and clinical agencies and departments.
The HSML program will provide students with an understanding of public and population health, as well as specific courses preparing them for entry level positions in health services management and administration, or for further professional education.
Administration
Dean
- Jeffrey Coben - MD (University of Pittsburgh)
Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership
Senior Associate Dean for Academic, Student, and Faculty Affairs
- Linda Alexander - EdD (University of Virginia)
Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Senior Associate Dean for Administration
- Sarah Woodrum - DrPH (University of Illinois, Chicago)
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management, and Leadership
Associate Dean for Professional Programs
- Erik Carlton - DrPH (University of Kentucky)
Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership
Director of Doctorial Programs
- Alfgeir Kristjansson - PhD (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweeden)
Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Director for MPH and MHA
- Erik Carlton - DrPH (University of Kentucky)
Associate Professor, Health Policy, Management and Leadership
Director of Public Health Practice and Service Learning
- Audra Hamrick - MA (West Virginia University)
Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Audra Hamrick - MA (West Virginia University)
Assistant Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Chairs
- Erik Carlton - DrPH (University of Kentucky)
Interim Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Nicholas Castle - PhD (Pennsylvania State University)
Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership - Weimin Gao - PhD (University of Pittsburgh)
Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences - Keith Zullig - PhD (University of South Carolina)
Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Admissions
BS in Public Health
The WVU School of Public Health (SPH) admits students into the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program via direct admission for both first time freshmen and external transfers for fall and spring semesters. Additionally, WVU students may transfer into School of Public Health undergraduate programs if they meet the academic standards. Please see program-specific catalog page for admission requirements.
Due to Covid-19 – Admission requirements may differ from what is listed on this page. Please review the most up-to-date program admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health major.
Additional Admissions Requirements for Majors in the School of Public Health for Fall and Spring Terms
Public Health
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
Health Services, Management and Leadership
- Minimum GPA of 3.0, ACT Composite Score of 21, SAT Composite Score of 1030, and ALEKS Score >30, or,
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
Applicants who are admissible to the university but do not meet the minimum GPA for the Public Health major, will be admitted into the Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success and the Healthcare Guided Pathway
Applicants who are admissible to the university, with at least a 2.75 GPA, but do not meet the minimum guidelines for Health Services, Management and Leadership will be admitted into Pre-Health Services Management and Leadership program in the School of Public Health.
Degree Designation Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong foundation of knowledge about the history, philosophy, core values, concepts, and functions of public health in the US and globally.
- Determine appropriate public health processes, approaches, and interventions needed to address health-related needs and concerns of specific populations.
- Illustrate how socio-economic, behavioral, biological, and environmental factors impact human health, contribute to health disparities, and can be affected by promotion and protection programs.
- Communicate public health information to diverse audiences through a variety of mediums.
- Apply evidence-based and ethical approaches to identifying, collecting, using, analyzing, and disseminating public health data and information.
- Differentiate the basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic, and regulatory dimensions of health and how they influence the US health system and public health policy.
Areas of Emphasis
Community and Population Health Area of Emphasis
Upon completion of the AOE, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the key aspects of communicating, promoting and advocating for health.
- Apply appropriate theories, methods, strategies, and policies to health protection and promotion programs that target specific populations.
Public Health Sciences Area of Emphasis
Upon completion of the AOE, students will be able to:
- Illustrate how biological, environmental, and occupational factors impact the health status of individuals and populations.
- Apply biostatistical and epidemiologic methods to identify and analyze public health issues.
Patient Navigation Area of Emphasis
Upon completion of the AOE, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with members of the patient care team, including those that may not traditionally be included in this team (e.g., social workers, food pantries, transportation, childcare)
- Summarize how quality of life and care can be improved via multiple systems and processes.
- Implement chronic disease management techniques and constructs.
Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management and Leadership
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong foundational knowledge of the history, principles, theories, frameworks, and current issues in public health.
- Describe health and health care dynamics, including the structures, policies, processes and institutions that make up the U.S. healthcare system.
- Manage the basic human, fiscal, and physical resources needed for accomplishing organizational goals.
- Articulate a personal management philosophy that integrates health services management and leadership concepts, knowledge, and skills.
- Apply principles and practices of health services management and leadership to identify and solve organizational problems.
The WVU School of Public Health is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The only accredited public health program in the state, the School is home to undergraduate and graduate programs in various public health disciplines at the BS, MPH, MS and PhD levels.