Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. Public health professionals assess factors influencing health in individuals, communities and populations; plan effective programs and interventions; design evaluations for those interventions; and successfully manage the implementation of those programs. The BSPH program is based on a philosophy of health promotion and disease prevention, to improve the quality of life of individuals, families and communities. The BSPH discipline focuses on four areas:

1. the multiple determinants of health, including biological, environmental, sociocultural, health service, and economic factors,

2. identification of scientific data, tools of informatics, and other information for identifying indicators of health status and health disparities and assessing the well-being of a community,

3. addressing major local, national, and global health challenges, and

4. designing public health approaches and interventions that improve health outcomes, population health and well-being.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program is more than a means to produce ready public health practitioners. It can complement or enrich a traditional biology-based pre-health degree plan for students intending professional education in medicine, nursing, allied health or other health professions. Notably the program establishes a specific entry-level baccalaureate degree in the Public Health academic pathway which, until recently, had started with a master’s degree.