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Public Health, B.S.

Readying the next generation of community and population health professionals to prepare against future pandemics.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program at York College prepares students for a variety of career paths in the fields of population health and community health. Public Health courses will give you experience working on real-time issues with community partners, from your first semester in PH101: Introduction to Public Health to your senior-year capstone project. 

York's Public Health degree incorporates three distinct disciplines:

  • Global Public Health
  • Maternal and Child Public Health
  • Community Public Health

By integrating these three areas into a unified program, the major provides a broad approach to public health. Students may also choose to focus their studies on a particular discipline for a more specialized education that prepares them for graduate-level work in the future.

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About the Bachelor's in Public Health

  • Key Courses

    Public Health Courses

    York College's Public Health bachelor's degree is inclusive of three disciplines of public health: Global Public Health, Maternal and Child Public Health, and Community Public Health. It is recommended that students choose one class from a set of courses within each discipline. Students may also focus more specifically on one discipline to prepare for graduate coursework in that area, if they plan to pursue an advanced degree in the future. 

    Public Health major courses include:

    • PH 100: Introduction to Public Health
    • PH 230: Health Equity
    • BIO 226: Food and Nutrition
    • BIO 290: Biostatistics
    • BHA 310: Public Health Administration
    • PH 330: Global Emerging Infectious Diseases
    • PH 350: Health Promotion and Education
    • PH 360: Social Determinants of Health
    • PH 410: Public Health Internship

    Admissions and Aid

    If you’re ready to explore York College's campus, student life, and academic opportunities for Public Health majors, our friendly Admissions team is here to help you navigate the process. Learn about undergraduate admissions.

    An important step in the application process is filling out financial aid paperwork and learning about scholarships and aid at York. Explore comprehensive financial aid information.

  • Career Opportunities & Benefits

    Public Health Careers

    Graduates of Public Health degree programs go on to work in a wide range of professional roles after graduation, whether they begin their careers right after college or choose to pursue graduate-level studies. You may consider positions such as:

    • Public Health Director
    • Health Educator
    • Epidemiologist
    • Maternal and Child Health Specialist
    • Emergency Preparedness Specialist
    • Health and Safety Officer
    • Health Services Manager
    • Community Service Manager
    • Public Policy Analyst
    • Environmental Health Specialist
    • Health Policy Administrator

    Benefits of Working in Public Health

    Public health is a field with high levels of job security and personal satisfaction for its employees. Professionals in these disciplines typically play key roles in improving the lives of others locally and/or globally.

    Additionally, the job outlook for these career paths tends to be much higher than the national average. Community health workers are projected to see a rapid employment growth of 14% from 2022-2032, while careers in medical and health services are expected to grow 28% during the same time frame.

    York College works closely with students to identify how their unique interests, skills, and values align with their future career path. Learn more by visiting our Career Development Center.

    Visit the Career Development Center
  • Internships & Work Experience

    Public Health Internships and Real-World Experience

    By definition, the field of public health lends itself to service learning. Students in York College's Public Health bachelor's degree program will participate in internships with community partners. Through these experiences, you'll put the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom into practice with real-world applications. 

    Classroom learning for Public Health majors also incorporates hands-on experience. Collaborations with community partners and a focus on real-time issues will begin with your Introduction to Public Health course in your first year. Project-based learning opportunities will continue throughout your sophomore and junior years, culminating in a senior-level capstone course.

  • Mentorship & Community

    Mentorship & Community

    York College of Pennsylvania is home to over 100 student clubs and organizations, ranging from club sports to community service groups to student government — and more!

    Public Health majors interested in getting involved on campus may wish to explore student-run organizations like the Pre-Medical and Allied Health Society or Women in Science and Engineering (WISE). With a wide variety of options available, as well as opportunities to create new organizations with support from Student Senate, there are countless ways to dive deeper into your interests and meet like-minded students.

    Explore 100+ student clubs and organizations at YCP.

  • High-Demand Skills

    Skills for Public Health Professionals

    York College’s Public Health program will help you to develop essential skills and knowledge you’ll need for a career in community or population health, including:

    • A strong scientific understanding of biology, human health, and disease
    • An understanding of the history, values, and functions of public health
    • Proficiency with the methods and tools of public health data collection and basic statistics
    • An understanding of population health concepts and related interventions
    • Awareness of socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, and environmental factors that influence human health
    • Project implementation skills from planning to execution and assessment
    • Ability to effectively communicate public health concepts

Program Requirements

Required Courses and Degree Requirements for Graduation
B.S. Degree in Public Health
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Related Programs

Contact Us
Department of Health Professions
Elizabeth Shearer, M.S.
Department of Health Professions, Chair
Diehl, Room 207
Phone: 717.815.1740
healthprofessions@ycp.edu