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College of Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Course Delivery

100% online

Total Credits

120

Approximate Tuition Cost

$49,200

Accreditation

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

*Based on the Tuition Guarantee Program for a full-time student taking 12-18 semester hours, if completing program in 8 semesters.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree broadly prepares students to enter the workforce as a public health professional or to enter an advanced program of study. Students explore the five disciplines of public health: biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, and the social and behavioral sciences through general coursework.

Students learn about the public healthcare system in the U.S. and abroad as well as emerging public health concerns such as pandemic infectious disease and new threats to the environment.

Upon completing the undergraduate degree in Public Health, graduates typically work in areas such as public health departments, human services agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, insurance companies, corporate work sites, wellness centers, community health organizations, family planning clinics and managed care facilities.

Accreditation: The BS degree in Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Online Concentrations: Students may declare one of four optional online concentrations in the Public Health major:

Allied Health

The Allied Health concentration seeks to augment the career portfolio of the allied health professional or aspiring student. Students who are interested in a generalist focus in public health or interested in moving to a professional degree (accelerated nursing) or technical allied health degree (respiratory care, radiologic technology, occupational/physical therapy assisting, etc.) are encouraged to pursue this path.  Students may currently hold or may be actively pursuing a state licensure in an allied health field and may be eligible to receive a maximum of 12 credit hours of upper division credit for their prior experience and demonstrated competency in select areas. Students without a state licensure may still pursue this concentration but will complete 12 hours of coursework in allied health specific areas. Students in this concentration will be exposed to broad areas of public health including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, global health and health policy; thus, preparing students to meet the increased demands for a trained and educated public health workforce.

Clinical Trials Research

The Clinical Trials Research concentration focuses on training students in the epidemiological methods used in clinical research. The curriculum provides students a thorough understanding of the management of research studies, the scientific literature related to drugs, medical devices and other new therapies, and the federal regulations related to conducting clinical trials. Students are prepared to design and answer research questions, collect and manage data and communicate research findings to both scientific and lay audiences. An internship experience provides necessary experience in a clinical research setting. Potential places of employment for graduates include hospitals, contract research organizations, medical schools and pharmaceutical companies where graduates assist with and manage clinical research studies. 

Community Health Outreach and Development

The Community Health Outreach and Development concentration focuses on identifying and exploring ways to influence the multi-level determinants of population health and health behaviors, from a perspective that prioritizes health equity and social justice. Approaches focus on community- and system-level strategies to promote health and healthy behaviors among populations and eliminate health disparities through media, policy and education initiatives. Career options include the public sector, social services, non-profit agencies and other community-based health promotion and advocacy efforts. Graduates are prepared to assist with developing, implementing and coordinating public health interventions that promote community health and organize diverse communities around issues related to health and health behavior.

Health Services Administration

The Health Services Administration concentration establishes a foundation for graduate work in health policy and management. Students analyze national and local public health infrastructure, evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivery and explore the legal and ethical issues of healthcare administration. Graduates enter the healthcare workforce as finance managers, compliance officers, patient navigators, insurance specialists and other healthcare managers. Students are encouraged to pair this concentration with a minor.

Program Structure

  • 120 minimum total credits
  • Each concentration is 56 credits
  • A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement

Online minor is available.


Admissions Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents, and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: FIrst-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum, and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State's campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Check with a regional campus admissions office to determine application requirement, as they may differ among campuses.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, or minimum 48 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar's website.

View Frequently Asked Questions

Important Dates

Mar
27

Spring Break

Spring Break

May
18

Classes Begin

Summer 2023 Semester

Courses

Courses for the online BS in Public Health prepare students to enter the field of public health in a variety of professional roles. All students must take courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health research, social and behavioral science theories, environmental health, disease prevention, and public health policy, as well as 9 credit hours of public health electives and additional foundational math and science courses. In addition to foundational coursework in public health, students complete a concentration that adds breadth and depth to their study. Students can choose from one of five 100% online concentrations ranging from 12-24 hours. 

All undergraduate students must also complete courses that satisfy the Kent State university requirements in order to graduate.

View All Course Requirements

QM Recognized Courses:

Quality MattersTM Recognition via the peer review process means that a course has met rigorous, research-based standards for quality online course design. Kent State University is proud to announce that the following College of Public Health courses are QM-Recognized.

View QM Recognized Courses


Tuition and Fees

Ohio Residents Non-Ohio Residents
Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$559.00 $1,677.00 $49,200 full-time1 $569.00 $1,707.00 $50,200-$50,700 full-time2

1The flat-rate semester fee of $6,152.20 applies to full-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester. This program is calculated at 8 semesters. For part-time semesters: The $559 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.

2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,152.20 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 12-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 12-18 or $120-$180). This program is calculated at 8 semesters. For part-time semesters: The $559 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. 
An additional College of Public Health program fee of $75.00 is charged to students each semester. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

Total program cost based on Tuition Guarantee Program for a full-time student taking 12-18 credit hours for 8 semesters. Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.


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