Degree Offered
Nature of the Program
Public health covers the five core public health disciplines: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences.
The public health major emphasizes problem solving skills, critical thinking, practical application, career exploration and an understanding of both clinical- and population-based ethics. Early in the program, students will build a strong foundation of knowledge in the natural and social sciences and become familiar with cultural and socioeconomic differences among populations. Further study will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify evidence-based techniques for disease prevention and promotion of health, both in the US and from a global perspective.
Graduates of the public health program are prepared for entry-level public health 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. Students can elect to take courses that will prepare them for graduate and professional programs such as public health sciences (specifically epidemiology, environmental and occupational health and biostatics), or other health sciences professional programs [with additional math/science courses].
The public health program allows students the flexibility to choose electives based on their professional goals or public health issues they’re most interested in solving. Students can elect to take courses that will prepare them to sit for the Community Health Education Certification (CHES) exam and for entry level positions in program management and community health education, or courses to prepare them to become members of health care teams assisting individuals in reducing and eliminating barriers to health care access and in negotiating complex health delivery systems. The public health program will also prepare students for entry into graduate programs in the social sciences, policy and administration, and public health graduate programs.
Admissions for 2027-2028
Guidelines for the School of Public Health's Undergraduate Program
The WVU School of Public Health (SPH) admits students into the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program for fall and spring semesters.
First time student who meet University requirements are directly admitted to the Public Health major.
Students admitted from other majors within WVU must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA)
Students transferring from another institution must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA).
Once in the program, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA
Major Code: 8414
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 3-6 |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric
and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | |
| Accelerated Academic Writing |
| 4-6 |
| 3-4 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Degree Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 73 |
| 47 |
| Total Hours | 120 |
University Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 25 |
| PUBH 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| 47 |
| Total Hours | 73 |
Public Health Major Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PUBH 101 | Introduction to Public and Community Health (GEF 4) | 3 |
| PUBH 200 | Introduction to Public Health Careers and Information | 1 |
| PUBH 201 | Global Perspectives of Public Health (GEF 7) | 3 |
| PUBH 202 | Social Determinants of Health (GEF 8) | 3 |
| PUBH 205 | Communication Strategies for Public Health Audiences | 3 |
| PUBH 211 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| PUBH 233 | The US Healthcare System: Structures and Incentives | 3 |
| PUBH 243 | Issues in Environmental Health | 3 |
| PUBH 322 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUBH 331 | Introduction to Health Policy | 3 |
| PUBH 338 | Public Health Project Management | 3 |
| PUBH 352 | Social and Behavioral Science and Practice | 3 |
| PUBH 400 | Professional Preparation Seminar | 1 |
| PUBH 454 | Public Health Research Methods | 3 |
| PUBH 489 | School of Public Health Undergraduate Capstone | 2 |
| SBHS 521 | Grant Writing for Public Health Practice | 1 |
| * | 6 |
| Total Hours | 47 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Accelerated Program
Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Requirements
In order to be admitted to this ABM program, applicants must:
- be enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program.
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- complete a minimum of 60 credit-hours, but not more than 75 credit-hours, as prescribed in the BSPH Plan of Study.
- Transfer students must have completed 24 credit hours as degree-seeking students at WVU before applying.
- earn a minimum grade of "A" in PUBH 205: Writing for Public Health Audiences.
- not be enrolled in a dual degree or certificate program.
- not have any documented infractions with the WVU Office of Student Conduct or any external law enforcement agencies.
Students will apply using a Qualtrics application form that requires a resume, personal statement, and two recommendations. The Qualtrics application will open from October 1-March 1 each academic year. Applications are due March 1, with program admission decisions communicated by the end of the spring semester.
ABM Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 106 |
| 14 |
| 25 |
| Total Hours | 145 |
Shared Bachelor's/Master's Coursework Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SBHS 521 | Grant Writing for Public Health Practice * | 1 |
BIOS 501
& BIOS 502 | Applied Biostatistics 1
and Applied Biostatistics Lab ** | |
| PUBH 520 | Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity | 2 |
| PUBH 521 | Public Health Prevention and Intervention | 3 |
| PUBH 540 | Leading and Managing Health Organizations | 3 |
| PUBH 541 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice | 2 |
| PUBH 596 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| 3 |
| Total Hours | 14 |
MPH Program Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| EPID 501 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 613 | Public Health Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PUBH 629 | MPH Capstone | 1 |
| PUBH 630 | MPH Field Practicum | 3 |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 25 |
Suggested Plan of Study