Program Description

The United States and the State of Texas face a workforce crisis in public health. To help meet workforce shortages in our State and Nation, the College of Natural Sciences B.S. Degree in Public Health prepares graduates for entry level positions in public health and equips them to pursue certificate and graduate degrees in the field.

The degree is administered by the School of Human Ecology (SoHE) and is overseen by the Senior Program Coordinator.  Students are advised in the Human Ecology Advising Center. This interdisciplinary degree plan includes introductory courses in biology (BIO 311C and BIO 311D), chemistry (CH 301, CH 302, and CH 204), calculus; interdisciplinary foundation courses (PBH 317, BIO 326M, BIO 226L, NTR 312 + 112L, BIO 365S, social science, and MAN 320F or GOV 358); core courses in public health (SDS 328M, PBH 354, PBH 356, PBH 358D, PBH 334, and PBH 338); and a choice of concentration areas (9 hours). Students supplement their coursework through participation in Texas Public Health (an undergraduate student organization focused on public health), public health internships, summer research, volunteer opportunities, and attendance at local and regional public health conferences.

The degree program began in the Fall 2010 and as of the Fall 2016, 321 students have graduated. As of spring 2018, the public health major includes about 500 undergrads. Strong support for the degree program also has been provided by the Bridging Disciplines Program, the Center for Women's & Gender Studies, the College of Engineering, the Jackson School of Geosciences, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Schools of Law, Nursing and Undergraduate Studies, the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan (TIP), the Departments of Advertising and Public Relations, Economics, Health Education, Geography, Government, Mathematics, Nutritional Sciences, and Sociology.

External supporters of the degree program include the George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services; The University of Texas School of Public Health (Austin, Brownsville, and Houston campuses); the Association of Schools of Public Health; the Association of Public Health Laboratories; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Workforce and Career Development; the Texas Department of State Health Services; and the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. 

 Degree Options

There are three degree options for Public Health majors: 

• Option I  - BS in Public Health
• Option II  - BS in Public Health Honors 
• Option III  - BS in Public Health Advanced Program (BS and MPH or "4+1")
  

View the DEGREE CHECKLISTS

Visit the SoHE Advising Center for more information on the Public Health major!