Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares you to improve community health and wellness through education, advocacy, and service. You will learn to promote healthy lifestyles and tackle community health needs such as chronic disease, substance use addiction, aging populations, mental illness, outbreaks, and disaster preparedness.
Why Study Public Health at Radford?
- You can complete the program 100% online or as a hybrid of online and on-campus classes. All major classes are offered 100% online.
- Our B.S. in Public Health courses require students to engage with faculty and peers through multiple synchronous Zoom sessions each semester.
- You will engage in a real-world culminating learning experience. The program offers every student an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge and skills through the completion of an internship or capstone project. You will partner with a health organization in your community to complete two semesters of an internship (240 hours), or you will collaborate with a faculty mentor to develop and implement a research-oriented project.
- Students will have access to a professional career coach to assist with resume writing, interviewing techniques, and employment searching.
- Our program at Radford University is a member of the Undergraduate Network of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH).
Interprofessional: By studying within the vibrant interprofessional, healthcare learning community of Radford University Carilion, you will be ready to serve as an active collaborating member of the health team.
Personalized instruction and advising: The program offers small class sizes that enhance student/faculty relationships. You will be assigned a faculty advisor to work with you to develop a career plan for a future in public health.
Transfer-friendly: The program is designed so you can easily transfer in from other programs or schools. The 2+2 plan has 60 credits eligible for transfer from the community college.
Careers & Internships
Get prepared for your career with high-impact experiential learning. To complete your degree, you will partner with a health organization in your community to complete 2 semesters of a culminating capstone project or internship to apply knowledge and skills.
Healthcare is considered one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in the U.S., with an estimated 2 million new positions (a 13% increase) projected between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What can I do with this degree?
- Take a look at jobs that a Public Health Degree can offer with 101+Careers in Public Health.
- Many graduates find successful employment as Health Education Specialists in healthcare, government, community/non-profit organizations, schools, and corporate settings.
Opportunities for Public Health students at Radford
- You can serve as a student ambassador for college or department.
- You get opportunities to serve as a student representative on department committees.
- You can attend and/or present scholarly work at local, state, and national conferences, such as Virginia Public Health Association.
- You can serve as a student ambassador for college or department.
- You get opportunities to serve as a student representative on department committees.
- You can attend and/or present scholarly work at local, state, and national conferences, such as Virginia Public Health Association.
- Students are encouraged to attend trainings, and virtual webinars, including the Series on Public Health and Healthcare Leadership.
- Students and alumni are actively involved in community service, outreach activities, and special events, including the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps, The American Red Cross, Hands-on-Healthcare, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes, National Health Education Week, and National Public Health Week.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission:
- Meet all admission requirements for Radford University. Incoming undergraduate students must have completed a core of selected high school or college courses. Recent high school graduates (within the past 3 years) should provide SAT or ACT scores (SAT Code 5099, ACT Code 4367). For additional general undergraduate requirements, please visit Undergraduate Admissions.
- Submit the online Radford University Application.
- Submit official transcript(s) from all institutions – high school OR all higher education institution(s) to the admissions department. A minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA is required for admission.
Current community college students may be admitted for the “2+2” format. Students begin the program at their community college with a two-year associate degree and then transfer to Radford University to complete their remaining requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Students must take certain courses and electives at their community college to transfer into the program.
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100% online option available
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2.4 million new careers in public health from 2019 to 2029
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15% increase expected in healthcare employment
The BLS estimates that employment in healthcare occupations, which includes careers in public health, will increase from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Plans of study that align with public health standards
The B.S. in Public Health Plan of Study was developed to align with competencies proposed by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
