Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is not currently accepting additional applicants. Please contact advising for alternative options.
University Requirements
General Education
UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a Culture and Diversity course; a Civic & Urban Engagement course; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course. Transfer students entering UMKC will elect from the UMKC Essentials General Education Program or the Missouri Core 42 General Education Curriculum. Academic advisors will meet with incoming transfer students to determine which option best serves the student’s educational needs. More information about General Education may be found here: https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/general-education-requirements/
Constitution Course
Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.
Exit Examinations
Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.
Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination
In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'. To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- Apply foundational knowledge of the science of public health to analyze and address public health issues in the community.
- Students will transmit foundational knowledge of public health in both interpersonal and formal communications.
- Students will integrate, synthesize and apply knowledge through cumulative and experiential activities
- Create evidence-based public health programs relevant to the needs of communities.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) Mission
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program aims to support the SoNHS’ mission in preparing the health professional workforce in improving health outcomes. The mission is to develop public health leaders in practice and research for diverse careers and post-graduate education. Through an innovative combination of coursework, service learning, volunteerism, and a senior year evidence-based public health capstone, students will apply theoretical concepts in evidence-based programming and health policy development to attain the highest standards of health and well-being of diverse populations.
Minor Options
The BSPH requires completion of 120 credits of coursework, which includes elective coursework. Students are urged to align those elective classes within a targeted area of specialization. These minor options may enhance your marketability in the workplace.
Student Organization
BHS Society is a student organization centered around the health sciences field of study. The goals of this organization are to promote philanthropy within the community, advocate health education, and cultivate leadership among members.
Admissions
The structure of the BSPH program is based upon the extensive experience the SoNHS has with structuring nursing and health sciences programs. Students will complete 120 hours as required by UMKC for degree completion. Provisionally admitted students may not be admitted to the program. Transfer students must have a GPA of 2.5 or better. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to remain in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Academic advisors will assist students pursuing a BSPH in maximizing appropriate transfer credits ensuring a streamlined path through the program.
Progression Policy
Students in the BSPH program must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all Public Health, Health Sciences, and Science and Math requirements (BIOLOGY 108/BIOLOGY 108L, BIOLOGY 112, BIOLOGY 218, CHEM 206, and MATH 110 or higher). They must earn a minimum grade of “D-” in non-Public Health/Health Sciences courses. For a full list of courses and the required grade, refer to the Major Map.
This means that a grade below a “C-” in a Health Sciences/Public Health/Science and Math requirements or below a “D-” in a non-Public Health/Health Sciences course will need to be repeated to earn a passing grade.
Students in the BSPH program are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative University of Missouri GPA while enrolled in these programs. Students with GPAs that fall below the minimum 2.0 requirement are placed in one of the academic standing categories detailed at https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/academic-standing/academic-probation-ineligibility/.
Program Requirements
UMKC Essentials
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester Experience Course (GEFSE) | 3 | |
| Written Communication: | ||
| ENGLISH 110 | Introduction to Academic Prose | 3 |
| ENGLISH 225 | English II: Intermediate Academic Prose | 3 |
| Oral Communication (choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Effective Speaking and Listening | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Argumentation And Debate (offered via dual credit only) | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Math Pathway (satisfied in major requirements below) | ||
| Critical Thinking in Arts & Humanities (GECRT-AH) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Natural & Physical Sciences (GECRT-SC) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking in Social & Behavioral Sciences (GECRT-SS) | 3 | |
| Culture & Diversity Course (GECDV) | 3 | |
| Civic & Urban Engagement Course (GECUE) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Constitution Course Requirement
Section 170.011.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, 2015, states that all candidates for a degree issued by a college or university in the state of Missouri must have “satisfactorily passed an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.”
Courses at UMKC that satisfy this state requirement are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court And The Criminal Process | ||
| U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1877 | ||
| Honors American Government | ||
| American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
There are a few other ways this requirement can be satisfied for students transferring to UMKC:
- Take an equivalent course from the list above at a regionally accredited institution.
- Earn credit for one of the above courses through AP, IB, or CLEP.
- Take a course that directly satisfies the Missouri Constitution Requirement at another Missouri institution.
- Have a previous bachelors degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the 42 Hour Core at a Missouri institution and have it listed on the official transcript.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science and Math Requirements | ||
| BIOLOGY 108 & 108L | General Biology I and General Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOLOGY 218 | Introductory Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 112 | Microbiology and Living | 3 |
| CHEM 206 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| MATH 110 | Precalculus Algebra (or higher; or STAT 115 or MOTRMATH 110; or ACT Math sub-score of 28 or higher; or SAT Math sub-score of 660 or higher; satisfies GE Math Pathway) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| PBHL 158 | Public Health Principles | 3 |
| PBHL 245 | Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health | 3 |
| PBHL 358 | Environmental Public Health | 3 |
| PBHL 335 | Historical and Contemporary Issues in Public Health | 3 |
| PBHL 445 | Core Competencies in Health Education | 3 |
| PBHL 458 | Communicable Disease Investigation | 3 |
| PBHL 496 | Evidence-Based Public Health Capstone & Seminar | 6 |
| HLSC 110 | Personal Wellness | 3 |
| HLSC 300 | Diversity in Health | 3 |
| HLSC 310 | Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| HLSC 345 | Quantitative Analysis in the Health Sciences | 3 |
| or STAT 235 | Elementary Statistics | |
| HLSC 410 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HLSC 430 | Health Program Management | 3 |
| HLSC 440 | Ethics and Policy of Public Health Promotion | 3 |
| HLSC 450 | Urban Health | 3 |
| HLSC 460 | Global Health | 3 |
| HLSC 470 | Technology, Marketing and Media in Health | 3 |
| HLSC 476 | Research Methods in Health Sciences | 3 |
| HLSC 480 | Leadership and Management in Health Professions | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Electives (Suggestions Below) | 14 | |
| Introduction To Financial Accounting | ||
| Introduction To Criminal Justice | ||
| Policing In The Community | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| First Aid / CPR | ||
| Health Literacy | ||
| Special Topics (Social Justice) | ||
| Community Development In Urban America | ||
| History Of Planning And Urban Design | ||
| Land Use Planning | ||
| Neighborhood And Community Development | ||
| Transportation Planning | ||
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Total Credits: 120
Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years. Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”. In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.
UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).
