Arnold School of Public Health

Prepare for a career in service to humanity with a broad education focused on protecting communities, preventing disease, improving well-being and advocating for a healthier world. 

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Health at the University of South Carolina prepares students to understand health through people, communities, systems, culture, behavior, policy and society. It is a strong choice for students who want a flexible health-focused degree with an emphasis on the social and behavioral sciences.

What You’ll Study 

Public health is about more than treating illness. It is about understanding why health problems happen, who is affected and how we can prevent them before they start. 

The B.A. in Public Health begins with courses in the humanities and an introduction to public health. From there, students explore the core areas of public health, including environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health services policy and management, communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, and health promotion, education, and behavior. 

Students also have the flexibility to build related coursework around their interests and career goals. This makes the B.A. a strong option for students interested in areas such as health policy, community health, health communication, advocacy, health education, nonprofit work, law, social work, public administration or social science-based graduate programs. 

View the full B.A. in Public Health curriculum and major map.

 

Why Study Public Health at USC?

While majors like biology, neuroscience and psychology often focus on the body, brain or individual behavior, public health asks bigger questions: Why are some communities healthier than others? What policies, environments and resources influence health? How can we prevent problems before they begin? See more reasons why public health is a great major to study. 

A Degree with Room to Grow 

The B.A. in Public Health is designed for students who want to understand the social, behavioral and policy factors that shape health. It gives students a flexible foundation for careers and graduate programs focused on people, communities, advocacy, systems and public service. 

There is no single path for a public health graduate. A degree in public health prepares you for many career options and helps you understand how to improve health for entire communities across all areas of health! 

The B.A. in Public Health may be a strong fit for students interested in: 

• Community health 

• Health education 

• Health communication 

• Health policy 

• Advocacy 

• Nonprofit work 

• Public administration 

• Social work 

• Law 

• Program planning 

• Public health research 

• Graduate study in public health or related social science fields
  
  

Should I choose the B.S. or B.A. in Public Health ?

You might choose the B.S. if you want a stronger science foundation for health-related graduate programs. Alternatively, you might pursue the B.A. if you want a path focused on people, communities, policy and social factors that shape health.

Expand All

• B.A. in Public Health 

  The B.A. in Public Health starts with courses in the humanities and an introduction to public health. From there, students explore the major areas of public health, including environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health services policy and management, communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, and health promotion, education, and behavior. 

  Students also have the flexibility to choose related courses that match their interests and career goals.  

• B.S. in Public Health

  The B.S. in Public Health starts with an introduction to public health, along with foundational science courses in biology, chemistry and physics. Students then study the major areas of public health, including environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health services policy and management, communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, and health promotion, education, and behavior. 

  The B.S. also includes advanced science coursework, such as organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology. This gives students flexibility to complete prerequisites for health-related graduate or professional programs.  

  For full curriculum details, visit the Academic Bulletin.

Program Highlights

• One of the nation’s first schools of public health to offer both B.A. and B.S. degree programs. 

• Qualifies for the $2,500 annual LIFE Enhancement Scholarship for eligible S.C. LIFE scholarship recipients. 

• All students gain practical experience in their field of interest, whether through a field project or independent research. 

• Students can participate in organizations such as the Public Health Society. Maternal and Child Health Student Association, Latino Caucus for Public Health, Pre Health Society, Health Entrepreneurship and Policy Club, and more!  
• Students have flexibility to build coursework around their interests and career goals.  

• Information Sessions

  Join a prospective student information session to learn more about the B.S. in Exercise Science at USC and ask questions from program faculty and advisors.

• Campus Tours

  There’s so much more to an Exercise Science degree at USC. Join us on our 400+ acre campus and see for yourself!