Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health
Champion Health as a Fundamental Human Right
Pursue your Bachelor of Science in Public Health at San José State University and transform your passion for community well-being into meaningful action. Through interdisciplinary course work and hands-on learning, you build the knowledge to understand how environmental, social and economic factors influence health outcomes.
By graduation, you’re prepared to conduct research, develop evidence-based interventions and lead initiatives that improve population health locally and around the world.
Why Major in Public Health at SJSU?
San José State University’s Department of Public Health delivers an education rooted in social justice, community engagement and career preparation. By becoming a public health practitioner, you will work collaboratively with diverse communities to strengthen community capacity, promote health, and reduce health inequities.
In our bachelor’s program, you benefit from:
- An interdisciplinary curriculum that examines how environmental, social, economic, behavioral, biological and political factors influence human health.
- Specialized concentrations in Population Data Science and Community Health Education, so you can focus your studies on data-driven health solutions or community-based prevention and outreach.
- A required internship with a community health agency, public health data organization or health-care facility where you build practical experience and professional connections.
- Mentorship from dedicated faculty who bring decades of public health experience and guide you as you prepare for graduate study or careers in the field.
- Tight-knit student groups that connect you to other public health majors and help build your on-campus community.
Discover why ambitious students like you choose to study public health at SJSU.
Hear From Our Students
“I was able to take what I was learning and implement it immediately into my role to start making change from day one. It was great learning while working in the field as well.”
“My HELM journey challenged me to think more critically, lead more intentionally, and strengthen my commitment to equity-minded leadership. It deepened my understanding of systems while reaffirming that meaningful change begins with relationships and advocacy.”
Want to learn more about the SJSU graduate student experience? Discover why students from around the world choose us for graduate study .
What You’ll Learn
The BS in Public Health curriculum explores the complex factors that shape community health and equips you to address health disparities.
Through interdisciplinary course work in environmental health issues, community mental health, health communication and leadership training, you gain the tools to understand today’s public health challenges. Hands-on fieldwork further prepares you to develop evidence-based solutions and lead initiatives that improve local and global well-being.
During the public health degree program, you learn to:
- Analyze patterns of disease and health outcomes using epidemiology, biostatistics and population health data.
- Design and implement community health programs that promote prevention, education and healthy behavior.
- Evaluate environmental, social and cultural influences on health, especially what contributes to inequities and disparities.
- Communicate public health information clearly through campaigns, community outreach, social media and policy discussions.
- Lead collaborative health initiatives by building partnerships with health organizations, nonprofits and community stakeholders.
To round out your BS in Public Health units, you can choose from three options:
- Pursue a concentration in Community Health Education or Population Data Science
- Complete 15 credits of upper-division electives
- Add a minor of your choice
Concentrations
Concentration in Community Health Education
If you’re passionate about working directly with communities to improve health outcomes, you can add a concentration in community health education to your bachelor’s degree in public health. This 18-credit concentration builds on your core classes and further explores how you can be influential in community outreach, prevention and collaborative health promotion.
Community Health Education Track
Concentration in Population Data Science
Interested in the analytical side of public health? Adding a concentration in population data science to your public health major equips you with the qualitative and quantitative tools to work with data and investigate the root causes of disease and health disparities. Through 18 credits of specialized classes, you learn how to interpret health data and make evidence-based decisions that improve population health.
Declaring a Concentration
Ready to take the next step and declare your concentration? If you’re a current or prospective student, submit your request to declare a concentration.
Have questions? Reach out to the concentration advisors:
- Community Health Education (CHE): Anji Buckner
- Population Data Science (PDS): Miranda Worthen
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduating with your Bachelor of Science in Public Health, you’re well equipped to:
- Apply principles of social justice, through the lens of cultural humility, to achieve and sustain health equity.
- Explain the intersectionality of environmental, social, economic, behavioral, biological and political factors influencing human health and identify opportunities for change.
- Interpret and apply ethical principles to the practice of public health.
- Demonstrate an ability to deliver public health messages in written, oral, and media-based formats to both public and professional audiences.
- Use public health methods and tools to collect and analyze population health data.
- Interpret the basic concepts of human health and disease and research grounded in the history, philosophy and practice of public health.
- Analyze the effects of multiple levels of policy and health systems on population and individual health outcomes and employ strategies to participate in the policy process.
- Use public health processes and practices, including working collaboratively with diverse individuals and communities, to create relevant interventions or investigations that engage and build community capacity, promote health, and reduce health inequities and disparities.
Public Health Advising Resources
Plan Your Degree
Use these program roadmaps to understand course sequencing and major requirements.
Public Health Program Roadmaps:
- Roadmap for Public Health, BS
- Roadmap for Public Health, Community Health Education Concentration
- Roadmap for Public Health, Population Data Science Concentration
You can also track your progress toward graduation using MyProgress, SJSU’s online degree tracking tool. Review step-by-step instructions to learn how to use MyProgress.
Public Health Major Advising Worksheets and Forms
In addition to university advising services, the undergraduate public health program provides students with support in navigating the major and pursuing a career in public health. We offer self-guided information and faculty advising for all public health majors.
Public Health Advising Worksheet:
- Public Health, BS (for public health electives pathway or minor pathway)
- Public Health, BS Community Health Education Concentration
- Public Health, BS Population Data Science Concentration
To use the electronic forms, copy the file and save it to your personal SJSU Google Drive account. These forms require a desktop application for Excel (or the equivalent). Additional questions should be sent to the program coordinator. Or, you can schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor.
For information about the program, review the current SJSU catalog and the program roadmaps.
Meet With a Public Health Advisor
In addition to university advising services, SJSU’s undergraduate public health program provides support to help you navigate the major and prepare for careers in public health.
Faculty advisors offer appointments and drop-in advising during the fall and spring semesters. All advising appointments are scheduled through Spartan Connect.
Visit our Public Health Advising page to learn more.
Career Opportunities in Public Health
Address today’s most pressing health challenges with innovation and purpose by earning your bachelor’s degree in public health. At San José State University, hands-on learning and community partnerships prepare you to analyze health trends, educate communities and support programs that improve population health.
From government agencies to nonprofit organizations to research institutions, you can pursue professional roles, such as:
- Allied Health Professional
- Community Health Specialist
- Health Educator
- Health Training Coordinator
- Population Data Scientist
Explore more career opportunities within the public health sector.
Where SJSU’s Graduates Work
Recognized for their strong leadership, research skills and commitment to health equity, SJSU’s public health majors graduate ready for careers that improve community and population health.
Our alumni are making a meaningful impact, working with respected public health agencies, nonprofit organizations and health systems, including:
- Kaiser
- Planned Parenthood
- Sacred Heart
- Santa Clara County Department of Public Health
Public Health Major Admissions
Ready to take your next step toward earning your public health degree? Applying to San José State University is your gateway to a transformative education and a thriving career. Before applying to the public health major, you must first gain admission to SJSU.
Select your student type to review specific admission requirements and application instructions:
International Freshman Admissions
International Transfer Admissions
Explore Graduate Admissions at SJSU
Admissions Requirements
Once you’ve been accepted to San José State University, you may apply to the public health major after completing at least 12 units at SJSU or another accredited college. You must also have a GPA of 2.7 or higher to be eligible for admission.
Students with a GPA below 2.7 may still be considered. Applications are reviewed individually, and students who have performed well in the public health preparatory courses may be admitted.
To apply for admission to the public health major:
- Complete the online application.
- Upload a completed advising worksheet that outlines your planned course pathway through the major.
Students in their first or second year at SJSU may be able to follow the four-year advising roadmap in the university catalog. Students with prior course work may need to compare the roadmap with completed courses to create a more individualized plan.
The public health program uses a rolling admissions process. We review them monthly during the fall and spring semesters and will send admission decisions by email.
Financial Aid
Ready to invest in your career preparation? At SJSU, our Financial Aid and Scholarship Office offers the practical support and resources you need.
From finding scholarships and grants to submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), our team helps you understand your funding options so you can start working toward your BS in Public Health.
Discover the Impact of SJSU’s Public Health Major
Meet Jenny Nguyen, a SJSU student who earned her BS in Public Health and went on to pursue her master’s degree in public health. Learn how her experience at San José State University prepared her to address real-world health challenges and build a career dedicated to real-world impact.
Your Public Health Journey Begins at SJSU
Turn your passion for community health into meaningful action by earning your Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Gain the knowledge, hands-on experience and professional connections needed to improve health outcomes in your community and around the world.
Excited to take the next step toward a purpose-filled career? Apply to SJSU today! Or, schedule a pre-admission appointment with our team to get started.
