Transform the quality of health and well-being in your community—while moving your career forward—with Walden’s BS in Public Health.
Help create safer, healthier environments
You want to make the world a healthier place. We’ve developed a Bachelor of Science in Public Health program that can help you achieve it.
A BS in Public Health program focuses on developing essential skills that can be applied across a range of settings to work toward health equity and community wellness.
Hit the ground running in today’s employment market through curriculum aligned with professional association standards.
Choose the Health Promotion and Wellness concentration to prepare for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Choose the General Program or one of three concentration options to match your program of study with your professional passion.
Earn your degree your way
With two completion options, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health in a way that makes sense for your life, budget, and learning style.
Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM)
Earn up to 20 master’s-level credit hours as an undergraduate, saving you time and money on your Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or MS in Health Education and Promotion degree. Learn more about Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM)
Curriculum - General Program Specialization
Degree Completion Requirements
- 181 quarter credits (coursed-based learning / 180 quarter credits (Tempo Learning®)
(1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits)- General education courses (46 cr.)
- Core courses (80 cr.)
- Elective courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone course (5 cr.)
Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits*. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.
*Please note: Students that reside in Virginia may be eligible to transfer up to 125 credits. At least 55 credits must be completed at Walden.
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-767-9522.
Curriculum - General Program Specialization
Degree Completion Requirements
- 181 quarter credits (1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits)
- General education courses (46 cr.)
- Core courses (80 cr.)
- Elective courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone course (5 cr.)
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-529-2352.
Admission Requirements
Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
- You are 21 years of age or older.
- You are less than 21 years of age with at least 12 quarter credits.
- You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.
More information for international applicants.
Walden Undergraduate Academy
Discover a new bachelor’s education experience for first-time adult college students.
Walden Undergraduate Academy™ opens new doors for working adults like you and makes earning a degree more achievable than ever before. This dedicated learning experience has an extra layer of support to help you build your confidence and academic skills before you start your online bachelor’s program. You’ll also be eligible for special savings that can make your bachelor’s degree more affordable.
The progress you make now pays you back. Receive one tuition-free course for every three paid courses you successfully complete. In addition, you’ll receive a $1,500 tuition grant.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we’re here to support you along your journey.
Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
General Program Specialization
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 181 quarter credit hours | $333 per quarter hour | $60,273 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $170 | $2,720 |
| $62,993** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION |
-$16,818 $46,175* |
||
*Represents course-based learning format, minimum time to completion, no transfer of credit, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 182 quarter credit hours | $333 per quarter hour | $60,606 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $170 | $2,720 |
| $63,326*‡ | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION |
-$16,818 $46,508* |
||
*Represents AIM concentration, minimum time to completion, no transfer of credit, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
*‡Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 135 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.
‡The BS in Psychology to MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Accelerate Into Master's (AIM) program option requires one additional credit, for a total of 182 credits.
Progress at Your Pace. Control Your Cost.
Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each 3-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
| Program | Subscription Period Tuition | Subscription Period Technology Fee | Subscription Period Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS in Public Health | $2,600 | $170 | 3-month subscription period |
| You may be able to complete your BS in Public Health degree in 25 months for under $23,000.* | |||
*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs will depend on your individual pace and transfer credits. A student’s pace is usually determined by their experience, ability to work independently, and availability. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
With Tempo Learning, you may be able to complete your BS in Public Health degree in as few as 25 months for as low as $23,000.*
*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
Program Outcomes
Promote Healthier Lives
From chronic disease to the opioid crisis, public health issues are an ongoing priority for the nation. Walden’s BS in Public Health program emphasizes knowledge that can be applied across a range of settings to promote social justice and healthier communities. Explore the challenges impacting population health and healthcare systems today—and gain skills that can open new doors in your career.
What’s the Career Impact of Earning a BS in Public Health?
Turn Your Passion for Helping Others Into a Fulfilling Career
From preventing heart disease to ensuring food safety, America is currently facing a host of public health challenges. Health educators and community health workers help educate populations about behaviors that prevent illness, foster wellness, and promote a better quality of life. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of these professionals is expected to grow by 13% through 2029—much faster than the average for all occupations.
Be a Force of Positive Change
Walden’s BS in Public Health online program can prepare you to make a difference by cultivating healthier communities. You’ll be positioned for rewarding career roles in a range of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Departments of health (state/local state government)
- In the field (testing water, food testing, health and safety testing)
- Nonprofit organizations
- Child healthcare facilities
Career options include:
- Director of rehabilitation
- Public administrator
- Epidemiologist
- Community health worker
- Healthcare administrator
- Policy analyst
- Community outreach coordinator
- Health services manager
- Health officer
- Operations manager
- Program director
- Public health emergency preparedness coordinator
- Public health program specialist
- Public health information officer
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Learning Outcomes
This bachelor’s in public health program helps prepare graduates to:
- Explain the historical development and contemporary context of public health, including the infrastructure and organization of public health systems.
- Critically examine the role of public health in protecting and promoting the health of populations locally and globally.
- Analyze social, political, and economical issues which impact public health and healthcare delivery systems within and outside of the U.S.
- Explain the biological effects of infections and chronic diseases on the human body.
- Explain basic epidemiological principles used to study patterns of disease and injury among diverse populations.
- Evaluate health-related research and research methods.
- Analyze the theoretical models including how social, behavioral, cultural, and environmental factors impact behavior change.
- Demonstrate the skills necessary to create effective public health programs and services (including program planning, healthcare management, and program evaluation).
- Analyze legal, regulatory, and ethical issues that impact public health practice.
- Articulate how public health policy is developed and how individuals and groups influence policy change.
- Demonstrate effective communication and problem-solving skills necessary for addressing contemporary global public health issues and to promote social change.
Testimonials
My biggest inspiration for getting my degree is my parents. They brought their children to the U.S. for a better life and more opportunities in education.
Working at a public health department and helping others convinced me to get my BS in Public Health.
Related Articles
1Walden University’s competency-based options are priced as an all-you-can learn model, where students subscribe to three-month learning periods instead of paying for courses or credit hours. Walden offers monthly starts, the first Monday of every month, for the competency-based option. If you start the BS in Healthcare Management, BS in Public Health, or BS in Health Studies program anytime in 2019, please note that the earliest you can complete the program is December 31, 2019.
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Health Educators and Community Health Workers (viewed September 2020). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.
Note on Certification
The BS in Public Health program with the Health Promotion and Wellness concentration has been designed to reflect the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) to prepare students to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. Walden enrollment specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about the CHES exam, students should visit www.nchec.org.