Public Health

Submission of ACT or SAT scores is required for applicants to the Columbus campus. Students admitted to the university for public health are enrolled directly in the college as a public health major.  

Transfer students with a minimum 2.50 GPA and a minimum of 15 semester credits (or equivalent) should schedule an appointment with a public health advisor to be moved into the major. 

The undergraduate professional degree in public health is a four-year program. The major consists of a core set of public health courses and interdisciplinary courses offered through two specializations.  

Public Health specializations 

Public Health Sociology

Students pursuing this specialization study how social factors impact health to improve the health of communities. The curriculum provides students with an interdisciplinary education in public health and sociology. 

Environmental Public Health

This specialization is for students who have an interest in both the environment and health, how environments impact health and have a desire to find solutions to the challenges of environmental effects on the health of communities. The curriculum provides students with an interdisciplinary education in public health and environmental science. 

Both specializations have a capstone course that may consist of research, an internship, or Honors thesis (for honors students) or education abroad. 

The College of Public Health has active student organizations that include Buckeyes for Public Health (B4PH) which promotes service, development and hands-on experiences in local and global public health. The Multicultural Public Health Student Association (MPHSA) is another active group with a vision to serve as a catalyst for culturally competent leadership that enhances health outcomes for all.  

Public Health Undergraduate Student Ambassadors are student leaders representing their college and majors to prospective students and their families while being devoted to service and leadership. Other student organizations with public health interests include the Public Health Student Leadership Council, Buckeyes for Harm Reduction, ENCompass, One Health Club and more. 

Graduates with an undergraduate professional degree in public health will be qualified for early career, entry-level positions such as public health investigator, clinical research coordinator, health analyst or community health worker in public health agencies and other public or private health organizations. This degree also prepares students for graduate study in public health, social work, law, nursing, or business and a variety of professional health programs such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.