B.S.
Bachelor's of Science

Public Health

Improve community health and shape public policy with our online Bachelor of Science in Public Health. 

This flexible, career-focused program equips you with the knowledge and skills to address public health challenges, analyze health disparities, and promote disease prevention. You’ll gain expertise in epidemiology, healthcare policy, and community health. It prepares you for careers in public health agencies, healthcare organizations, and nonprofit sectors or for further studies in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. 

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Program Overview
Career Outcomes
Next Steps
Meet Your Professors

Our team can help you prepare for the next step in your career.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

B.S.
Earn your public health degree online and explore how policies, social factors, and healthcare systems impact community well-being. Develop critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills that prepare you for careers in health education, epidemiology, public policy, and community health management. 

Format

100% Online

How it Works

Tuition

$295 / credit

Tuition & Fees

Credits

124

Course Catalog

Next term starts

Fall 2025

    • Course List:  Core Requirements 

       

       

    • BIOL 1200 

      Biology I with Lab

       

    • BIOL 1201 

      Biology II with Lab 

       

    • MATH 1065

      Statistics or SOSC 2010 Statistics for the Social Sciences 

       

    • HLAD 2010 

      The United States Health Systems 

       

    • HLAD 3045 

      Healthcare Ethics 

       

    • PAFF 2132 

      Introduction to Public Policy 

       

    • HLAD 3122

      Principles of Public Health 

       

    • HLAD 3005 

      Community Health 

       

    • HLAD 3015 

      Comparative Health Systems 

       

    • HLAD 3040

      Health Disparities 

       

    • HSCI 4200 

      Epidemiology 

       

    • HLAD 4015 

      Healthcare Policy or HUSV 4050 Social Policy Analysis 

       

    • And any two of the Upper Division Electives below:  

       

       

    • ADDS 3005

      Interventions for Substance Use Disorders 

       

    • ANTH 3025 

      Health & Illness in Global Perspective  

       

    • CHFS 3015 

      Child Welfare in the United States 

       

    • CHFS 3050 

      Interpersonal Violence  

       

    • CUST 4020 

      Medical Humanities 

       

    • DISB 3025 

      Psychosocial Impact of Illness & Disability 

       

    • ECON 3055  

      Economic Issues in Health Care

       

    • ENSC 3304 

      Environmental Health  

       

    • FSMA 3025 

      Healthcare Finance 

       

    • HLAD 3020

      Cultural Competency in Health Care 

       

    • HLAD 3035 

      Community Health Education and Communication

       

    • HLAD 3127  

      Infections and Epidemics: Biocultural Perspectives

       

    • HSCI 3200

      Health Informatics 

       

    • HUSV 3068 

      Social Welfare Policy 

       

    • INMS 4030 

      Women Health & Globalization 

       

    • LEST 3015 

      Mental Health & The Law 

       

    • NURS 3035 

      Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health 

       

    • PSYC 3090 

      Health Psychology 

       

    • SOCI 3010

      Aging & Society 

       

    • SOSC 3010 

      Family Violence: Legal & Social Perspectives 

       

Ready to Apply

The deadline for the Fall 2025 term is August 1. How to Apply

Gain the Knowledge to Improve Public Health 

What you'll learn

  • Analyze social, environmental, and economic health factors
  • Apply public health data to health-related issues
  • Evaluate public health policies and interventions 
  • Understand legal and ethical aspects of public health 

Start Your Career in Public Health 

An online degree in public health prepares you for careers in health care, policy, and community health. Possible career paths include: 

  • Public Health Analyst 
  • Community Health Coordinator 
  • Epidemiology Assistant 
  • Health Policy Analyst 
  • Health Educator 
Career Services
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I chose SUNY Empire for the freedom and flexibility to take online classes around my work schedule.
Jordan
’23 

Interested? Start Here

1

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Public Health 

We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to a public health degree as engaging and rewarding as possible. Our dedicated advisors provide the guidance and resources you need to understand health policies, analyze community health challenges, and move closer to a career in epidemiology, health education, or public health administration. 

 

Request Info
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2

Check for Prior Learning Credits

Put your past experience toward your degree. Use transfer credits, work experience, or life skills to get a head start, save money, and earn your degree faster.

How To Get Credits

Normal Program Length
Your Prior Learning
Your Prior Learning
3

Apply for a Public Health Program

Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term! 

How To Apply

Next start term

Fall 2025

Deadline to apply

August 1

Start Your Degree

as soon as September 2, 2025.

Meet Your Professors

Our experienced faculty bring decades of real-world expertise in public health. They’re here to help you develop the skills to analyze health policies, understand disease prevention strategies, and explore the impact of social and environmental factors on community well-being. 

All Faculty
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John Lawless

Professor
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Joanne Levine

Professor

Interested in Public Health?

Learn more and get started.

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