Health Sciences - Public Health
Promote better health in your community.
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Health Sciences, B.S. – Public Health Overview
University of West Florida’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Public Health program offers an introduction into the world of public health. The curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of public health practice, policy and history.
Upon graduation, you will have the credentials needed to continue your education through graduate studies in a more specialized area or pursue a variety of careers in public health, including governmental health agencies, community engagement, consulting and more. Our public health degree online program is ranked No. 2 on BestColleges.com’s list of Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science Programs.
Through innovative teaching strategies and team-based learning, you will study various topics that will help you promote health and wellness to the public, such as:
- Basic terminology of public health and the elements related to disease causation and prevention
- The public health system’s structure and the different sectors of public health practice
- Natural and technological disasters related to public health research designs and applications
- Hazards within the workplace and the management of occupational health and safety programs
- Laws and regulations influencing public health practices
- The U.S. healthcare system and its many characteristics
- Diseases and epidemiology in different populations
- Scientific public health standards and their application to issues with state, national and international effects
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Those hoping to improve the lives of those in their community
- Students seeking a career in community engagement, consulting, governmental agencies and more
- Students who wish to later pursue a graduate degree in a more specialized area of public health
Learning Outcomes
- Identify health-related issues within the community and effectively resolve them
- Collaborate with others within public health to develop programs for promoting wellness within a community
- Make ethical decisions that will positively influence the public’s health
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online health sciences degree includes a total of 120 credit hours. Through the major’s 60 credit hours, you will explore the fundamentals of health science and public health. Included in the major are 18 credit hours of your choice of approved electives.
Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements are the basic studies that provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs. Included in the general education requirements are subjects in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, multicultural studies and lower-level electives.
Common Prerequisites (13 credit hours)
These courses are common prerequisites for the online health sciences degree and can be used to fulfill general education requirements.
- BSC 1005+L - General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
4 Credit Hours
General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
Survey of abiotic and biotic principles as they apply to basic structural and functional topics at the cellular, organismal, population and community levels; and the application of these principles to issues of current interest. Meets general education requirement in natural sciences. Lab correlating with BSC 1005. Material and supply fee will be assessed. Satisfies Florida common core natural sciences requirement.
- MAC 1105 - College Algebra
3 Credit Hours
College Algebra
Provides the concepts and techniques of algebra that are needed to understand subjects such as statistics and economics which contain a considerable amount of quantitative reasoning. Is additionally a preparatory course for the study of calculus. Major topics include: the concept of functions, graphs of functions and relations, operations on functions, rational functions, exponentials and logarithms, systems of equations and inequalities and applications. Prerequisite course or appropriate score on placement test is required. Meets general education requirement in mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule theoretical mathematics requirement. Prerequisite: MAT 1033 OR 123 PERT Math OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math.
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology
3 Credit Hours
General Psychology
A survey of methods, theories and body of knowledge of contemporary psychology, including such topics as learning, motivation, sensation and perception, development, thinking, personality, social behavior, psychological adjustment and methods of therapy. Meets general education requirement in social sciences.
- STA 2023 - Elements of Statistics
3 Credit Hours
Elements of Statistics
This course covers descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory and basic statistical procedures, estimation and inference. In addition to provide basic concepts in the mentioned areas it prepares the student for other more advanced statistical courses that are necessary for research. Meets general education requirement in mathematics. Meets Gordon Rule applied mathematics requirement. Prerequisite: MAC 1105 OR MAC 1105C OR MAT 1033 OR MGF 1106 OR MGF 1107 OR 22 ACT Math OR 520 SAT Math OR 123.
- BSC 1005+L - General Biology for Non-Majors (plus lab)
- HSC 3034 - Current Issues in the Health Sciences
3 Credit Hours
Current Issues in the Health Sciences
This course provides an overview of the field of health sciences and introduces students to essential skills required for career success in various healthcare professions. Content will also cover important issues facing today's healthcare environment.
- PHC 2082 - Informatics and Your Health
3 Credit Hours
Informatics and Your Health
Multidisciplinary exploration of the nature of information: how it is represented, processed, shared, preserved and protected in tools and applications directly linked to your health and the health of our planet. Identifies enduring principles; examines impacts on individuals and society; provides practice with a variety of digital technologies and data collection strategies; addresses interpreting results of and concerns in human subject research. This course helps students develop integral professional and technical skills, including presentation of ideas through written and verbal communication, within an informatics framework. Students will have the opportunity to focus on a particular technology company or issue as a mechanism for developing critical thinking and teamwork skills.
- HSC 3510 - Data Analysis in the Health Sciences
3 Credit Hours
Data Analysis in the Health Sciences
This course focuses on the application of computer technology and software in conducting analysis of data, including how to retrieve, clean, organize and analyze data using computational methods, as well as report findings using existing general purpose software. Additionally, students will acquire skills in data presentation through using tables, charts and written reports. Prerequisite: STA 2023.
- PHC 4101 - Essentials of Public Health
3 Credit Hours
Essentials of Public Health
Course teaches basic terms and definitions of public health and the factors leading to disease causation as well as disease prevention. Students study programs and policies that effect healthcare in a positive manner and apply basic principles of scientific reasoning with the use of available data and information. Topics introduced serve as a basis for enhancing the participants' ability to critically evaluate current trends in healthcare and develop programs and policies in an analytical manner.
- HSA 3111 - Understanding U.S. Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Understanding U.S. Healthcare
This course provides an orientation to the characteristics and foundation of the U.S. healthcare system including a review of health professionals, technology, financing and reimbursement, delivery systems, vulnerable populations, process improvement and health policy.
- HSC 3535 - Medical Terminology
3 Credit Hours
Medical Terminology
This course is designed to familiarize students with the vocabulary used in the medical and health professions. Students will employ a systematic, word-building approach to master the complex terminology of the medical field. An emphasis is placed on word dissection of compound medical terms and inferring word meanings from their prefixes, suffixes and stem words. Credit may not be received in both HSC 3535 and HSC 3534.
- HSA 4191 - Health Information Systems
3 Credit Hours
Health Information Systems
Provides an overview of various health information such as patient care, clinical decision support, disease and demographic surveillance, imaging and simulation, and safety and environmental assessment. Fundamentals of proposing, reporting and refereeing evaluation studies are covered. Legal and ethical issues related to training, security, confidentiality and the use of informed consent are also addressed. Working knowledge of how to use personal computers, including knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet packages and internet searching.
- BUL 4602 - Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare and Public Health
3 Credit Hours
Legal Fundamentals of Healthcare and Public Health
This course provides an overview of laws most affecting healthcare practices. The legal basis for government involvement in healthcare is examined with an analysis of the laws controlling the provision of healthcare industry and professional regulations. This course provides an in-depth overview of healthcare law, allowing students to acquire skills to confirm their actions to legal requirements and ethically analyze daily healthcare situations.
- MCB 4276 - Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
3 Credit Hours
Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
The basic principles of epidemiology as they apply to infectious disease and the impact of infectious disease on human civilization will be addressed. The causes and distribution of current epidemics of infectious disease, including newly emerging and reemerging diseases and the approaches being applied to defeat these diseases will be discussed. Offered concurrently with MCB 5273; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- PHC 4109 - Diseases in Human Populations
3 Credit Hours
Diseases in Human Populations
An overview of scientific principles of public health and their application to public health problems with significant state, national and international impact. It is recommended that students have at least one semester of a college science such as biology or a comparable course before enrolling.
- PHC 4140 - Public Health Planning and Analysis
3 Credit Hours
Public Health Planning and Analysis
This course introduces students to the history of public health, the structure of the public health system and the various sectors of public health practice, in order to gain an understanding of the complex factors that determine the health status of a community. Lectures will draw from the public health field but also related disciplines such as behavioral sciences, healthcare management, medical ethics and social work. National, state and local level practices will be analyzed, as well as the role that law and government play in the public's health. The course is also intended to simulate student interest in other public health courses and program offerings. Graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- HSC 4404 - Medical Disaster Management
3 Credit Hours
Medical Disaster Management
Introduces students to facets of natural and technological disasters while integrating public health research designs and practices. Class lectures and discussions utilize recent and historical case studies as a basis for developing the critical thinking and leadership skills needed by healthcare professionals in crisis situations. International, domestic and regional settings are addressed, as well as the social, economic and political aspects of disaster planning, preparedness, and mitigation. Basic public health concepts and methodologies as they relate to course material. Permission is required.
- PHC 4341 - Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
3 Credit Hours
Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
Concerns worker protection and serves as a prerequisite for advanced study of hazards and work settings. Development and management of occupational safety and health programs, resolution of safety and health issues and improvement of safety performance. Introduction to safety and health fields, overview of loss control information and analysis, specific safety and health programs and program implementation and maintenance. Offered concurrently with PHC 5355; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- HSC 4050 - Health Sciences Research Seminar
3 Credit Hours
Health Sciences Research Seminar
This capstone course will focus on contemporary research in the health sciences. The course will cover topics such as the scientific method, research study designs, critical evaluation of the literature, technical writing, research ethics, data collection and analysis. As part of an ongoing semester project, students will design a research proposal on a specific topic in health. A capstone exam will be given.
Approved Electives (18 credit hours)
- HSC 3034 - Current Issues in the Health Sciences
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into UWF’s online public health program, you must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all previously attempted college work
- Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Be at the level of a sophomore or higher
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for undergraduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into University of West Florida. In addition, you must:
- Submit official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions previously attended
- Submit ACT or SAT scores
- Complete the residency application form for tuition purposes
- Complete the Health Sciences application form
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Request a brochure and get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors.
Costs & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Full Program Tuition | $218.98 per credit hour | $26,277.60 |
| Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90) | $218.98 per credit hour | $6,569.40 |
Out-of-State Tuition
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Full Program Tuition | $341.67 per credit hour | $41,000.40 |
| Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90) | $341.67 per credit hour | $10,250.10 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 75 percent of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to approximately 48 months to complete, depending on transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 844.372.9390 or request information.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF proudly serves active duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
Upon completion of our online public health degree, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Community Health Worker
Community health workers determine health-related issues within their community. They talk to the community’s residents about health concerns and may assist them with finding resources and programs for care. Community health workers earn a median annual salary of $38,370, and employment for the profession is expected to grow 18 percent through 2026.
Health Educator
A health educator earns a median salary of $53,940 per year. Depending on their work environment, they may work with patients and their families, educate students on various topics that affect one’s health or develop programs focusing on the health concerns in a community. Employment for health educators is projected to increase 14 percent through 2026.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Responsible for the health and safety for those employed at an organization, an occupational health and safety specialist inspects work environments to ensure they’re compliant with regulations and develops procedures that protect employees from hazardous work settings. Occupational health and safety specialists earn a median income of $71,780 per year, and employment is predicted to grow 8 percent through 2026.