Public Health

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The BSPH degree program is designed for students primarily interested in the improvement of health and prevention of disease and disability. The program mission is to improve health throughout the lifespan. The program focuses on:

1. identifying social and behavioral determinants of health,
2. developing and evaluating interventions and policies leading to the improvement of population health, and
3. preparing professionals for leadership positions in advocacy and public health service.

Upon completion of the program, students will be well qualified for graduate studies and/or leadership roles in public and private organizations. These organizations may include hospitals, group practices, community health centers, and community-based nonprofit organizations, public and private corporations, foundations, workplaces, schools, colleges, and local, state and federal public health agencies.  

Curriculum Description

Public Health is inherently multi-disciplinary. For example, core quantitative disciplines such as epidemiology and biostatistics are fundamental to analyzing the broad impact of health problems, allowing us to look beyond individuals to entire populations. And, because preventing disease is at the heart of public health, the program includes the social sciences in order to better understand health-related behaviors and their societal influences. Also, the manner in which health information is generated and disseminated greatly influences individuals, public officials, organizations, communities, and entire populations. Communication skills enable our students to identify contexts, channels, messages and reasons that will motivate individuals to listen, understand and use health information. And, because successful public health efforts must be led by those who can mobilize, coordinate and direct collaborative actions within complex systems, our students receive intense coursework in quality management and leadership.  

General Curriculum Distribution

Health Science Medical Terminology Introduction to Public Health Biostatistics Epidemiology Social and Behavioral Science Program Planning and Evaluation Public Health Management and Leadership Introduction to Applied Sociology Social Stratification

Research Methods Public Health Internship First Aid Nutrition Functional Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology Adult Fitness Kinesiology Principles of Exercise Leadership Testing and Prescription

Although there are several required and recommended courses for the public health major, students still have flexibility in the curriculum to take courses of special interest. For instance, students may wish to pursue additional coursework in adolescent health, women’s health, gerontology, biology, environmental science, criminology, international and cultural studies, urban studies, Latin American studies, psychology, sociology, communication or research methods.  

Recommended Curriculum

Intercultural Communication Social Psychology Cross-Cultural Studies Health Psychology Public Policy Analysis

Sociology of Health Individual and Society Sociological Analysis Racial and Ethnic Relations Social Statistics

Graduate Competencies

1. Collect and analyze population-based data to solve problems in public health
2. Study the patterns of disease in human populations
3. Determine the social and behavioral determinants of health
4. Develop, administer and evaluate public health programs and policies for social change
5. Collect, manage and present public health information
6. Manage and lead others for collaborative problem solving, decision-making, accountability and program development and evaluation  
7. Demonstrate ethical choices, values and professional practices
8. Recognize system-level decisions and/or actions and how they affect the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and communities

Students who successfully complete this degree program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become Certified Health Education Specialists.

Career Opportunities

• Public Health Jobs
• American Public Health Association Career Mart
• American Public Health Association Internships
• American Public Health Association External Career Link

Faculty Research and Contact Information

Dr. Rebecca Olsen specializes in health services research, social marketing, and health promotion. Previous work includes qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, organizational and leadership performance improvement, organizational change, healthcare access, utilization, delivery, effectiveness, efficiency, patient safety and health outcomes.

Office: (813) 257-3749
Fax: (813) 258-7497
E-mail: ROlsen@ut.edu

University of Tampa
College of Natural and Health Sciences
401 West Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fl 33606-1490    

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External Links/Resources

» National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
» American Public Health Association
» Center for Disease Control and Prevention
» National Institute of Health
» Institute of Medicine
» World Health Organization