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Public Health

Degree Type
  • Bachelor of Science
Location
  • Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, VA
Format
  • Hybrid

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.

male student in a radford polo smiling at the camera

Why Study Public Health at Radford?

  • All major classes are offered 100% online. You can complete the program as a hybrid of online and on-campus classes.
  • 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 and 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Submit the online Radford University Application.
  3. 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.

Accreditation

Radford University is authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to offer postsecondary education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
Radford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Radford University.

Related Programs

  • 100% online option available

  • 2.4 million new careers in public health from 2019 to 2029

  • 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.

student in radford polo standing at a desk with a microscope and fake skull

Ready to Study at Radford?

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.