Degree Offered
Nature of the Program
Public health is one of the fastest growing majors in undergraduate education and 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
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.
New Freshman Admissions
Students are eligible for direct freshman admission if they meet these minimum guidelines:
- 2.75 Cumulative High School GPA
- 2.5 Cumulative High School GPA with ACT Composite of 19 or higher
- Students who are admitted to the university but do not meet the minimum GPA for the School of Public Health, will be admitted into the Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success and the Healthcare Guided Pathway until they are eligible for admission to the School of Public Health.
Internal (WVU) transfer students who have completed undergraduate coursework at WVU or another institution of higher education prior to applying to the Public Health major are eligible if they meet the following minimum guidelines and attend a public health information session:
- 2.5 Cumulative Undergraduate GPA
External transfer students who have completed undergraduate credits at another institution wishing to transfer into WVU who meet the transfer admission GPA should apply to WVU as transfer students and will be accepted directly into the program by WVU Admissions.
- 2.5 Cumulative Undergraduate GPA
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
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 |
| |
| 64 |
| 25 |
| 31 |
Total Hours | 120 |
University Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 34 |
PUBH 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| 29 |
Total Hours | 64 |
School Core Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
PUBH 101 | Introduction to Public and Community Health | 3 |
PUBH 200 | Introduction to Public Health Careers and Information | 1 |
PUBH 201 | Global Perspectives of Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 202 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
PUBH 205 | Writing for Public Health Audiences | 3 |
PUBH 211 | Biostatistics for Population Health | 3 |
PUBH 222 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 233 | The US Healthcare System: Structures and Incentives | 3 |
PUBH 241 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
Total Hours | 25 |
Public Health Major Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
PUBH 243 | Issues in Environmental Health | 3 |
PUBH 331 | Introduction to Health Policy | 3 |
PUBH 352 | Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science and Practice | 3 |
PUBH 353 | Mastering Health and Wellness | 3 |
| 3 |
| Health Research Data Management and Reporting | |
| Introduction to Modern Epidemiologic Research | |
| Introduction to Public Health Research Methods | |
* | |
PUBH 400 | Field Placement Preparation Seminar | 1 |
PUBH 489 | School of Public Health Undergraduate Capstone (minimum grade of C-) | 2 |
PUBH 481 | Public Health Field Experience | 4 |
Total Hours | 31 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Accelerated Program
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 3.5.
- complete a minimum of 60 credit-hours, but not more than 92 credit-hours, as prescribed in the BSPH Plan of Study.
- Transfer students (internal or external) are not eligible for the ABM program at this time.
- earn a minimum grade of "B+" in PUBH 205: Writing for Public Health Audiences.
- schedule one meeting with their WVU School of Public Health undergraduate advisor to ensure they are eligible to apply for the program.
- 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.
Degree Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 51 |
| 25 |
| 25 |
| 44 |
Total Hours | 145 |
University Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 25 |
PUBH 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| 25 |
Total Hours | 51 |
School Core Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
PUBH 101 | Introduction to Public and Community Health | 3 |
PUBH 200 | Introduction to Public Health Careers and Information | 1 |
PUBH 201 | Global Perspectives of Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 202 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
PUBH 205 | Writing for Public Health Audiences | 3 |
PUBH 211 | Biostatistics for Population Health | 3 |
PUBH 222 | Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
PUBH 233 | The US Healthcare System: Structures and Incentives | 3 |
PUBH 241 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
Total Hours | 25 |
Public Health Major Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
PUBH 243 | Issues in Environmental Health | 3 |
PUBH 331 | Introduction to Health Policy | 3 |
PUBH 352 | Introduction to Social and Behavioral Science and Practice | 3 |
PUBH 353 | Mastering Health and Wellness | 3 |
| 3 |
| Health Research Data Management and Reporting | |
| Introduction to Modern Epidemiologic Research | |
| Introduction to Public Health Research Methods | |
| |
PUBH 400 | Field Placement Preparation Seminar | 1 |
PUBH 489 | School of Public Health Undergraduate Capstone (minimum grade of C-) | 2 |
PUBH 481 | Public Health Field Experience | 4 |
Total Hours | 25 |
MPH Program Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| |
PUBH 510 | Contemporary Foundations of Public Health Practice | 2 |
PUBH 511 | Epidemiology for Public Health Practice | 3 |
PUBH 512 | Research Translation and Evaluation in Public Health Practice | 3 |
PUBH 613 | Public Health Program Evaluation | 3 |
PUBH 520 | Building and Sustaining Public Health Capacity | 2 |
PUBH 521 | Public Health Prevention and Intervention | 3 |
PUBH 629 | MPH Capstone | 1 |
PUBH 630 | MPH Field Practicum | 3 |
PUBH 540 | Health Systems Leadership | 3 |
PUBH 541 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Practice | 2 |
| | 1 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total Hours | 44 |
Suggested Plan of Study