Public Health Major

USCB Offers Two Exciting Routes to a Public Health Bachelor's Degree

Students in Common Area

The University of South Carolina Beaufort offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in public health, with the flexibility to choose between a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Our program provides students with a strong foundation in public health principles, research methods, and practical skills, preparing them for a wide range of careers in public health. Our program offers both in-person and online options, allowing students to complete their degree on their schedule. Join us today to take the first step towards an exciting career in public health.

Earn a BA in Public Health

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is offered in person or in a 100% online format. The BA in Public Health emphasizes more cognates and minors outside of natural science to include areas such as Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Business, Computer Science, Education or Human Services as a few examples. Students have increased flexibility to build minors in their particular area of interest. This BA degree situates students for entry into social science-based graduate programs and entry-level public health professional positions. 

Program of Study

Earn a BS in Public Health

Students interested in the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program receive more natural sciences in their curriculum which aims to prepare those students for further study of natural and environmental public health sciences, other clinical professions and entry-level public health professional positions. This degree progam is offered in person and in a 100% online format. 

Program of Study

Public Health Items on Table

Minor in Public Health at USCB

Public Health can be a minor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, for students who majoring in another academic discipline.

A Public Health minor at USCB requires a minimum of 18 hours credit including:

  1. PUBH B310 - Introduction to Public Health
  2. PUBH B450 - Program Development
  3. Four additional courses from the following: PUBH B101, any 300-level or 400-level PUBH course.

At least half of these hours must be completed at USCB and you must pass all these courses with a grade of 'C' or better. Courses used to satisfy requirements of your Public Health minor count toward general education requirements but not your major. You are strongly encouraged to consult your advisor before declaring a minor.

Minor in Nutrition at USCB

Nutrition can be a minor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, for students who majoring in another academic discipline.

In our undergraduate minor in Nutrition, students will learn about the role of nutrition in disease prevention, management, and overall health promotion. Our program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to assess and address nutrition-related challenges in diverse communities. This minor is a first step in careers in nutrition counseling, public health, research, and more. 

A Nutrition minor at USCB requires a minimum of 18 hours credit including:

  1. PUBH/HRTM B242 - Nutrition
  2. PUBH B322 - Life-cycle Nutrition
  3. PUBH B328 - Nutrition and Chronic Disease
  4. Three courses from the following: 
    1. HRTM B447 - Food Science
    2. PUBH B324 - Food & Culture
    3. PUBH B325 - Sports Nutrition
    4. PUBH B330 - Epidemiology
    5. PUBH B431 - Nutrition & Metabolism
    6. PUBH B432 - Public Health Nutrition Policy
    7. Other courses as approved by department

At least half of these hours must be completed at USCB and you must pass all these courses with a grade of 'C' or better. Courses used to satisfy requirements of your Nutrition minor count toward general education requirements but not your major. You are strongly encouraged to consult your advisor before declaring a minor.

Minor in Medical Health Humanities at USCB

Simulation of Medical Health Humanity

The Medical Health Humanities minor program at the University of South Carolina Beaufort is an interdisciplinary program that offers students a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of health, medicine, and culture.

Medical & Health Humanities is a field that engages students to explore the ethical, historical, biopsychosocial and human aspects of health and medicine. The interdisciplinary nature of the program draws from different approaches to the study of health and medicine through courses stemming from the humanities, social sciences, public health, philosophy, communication and bioethics.

 Additionally, this program leads our students to understand better the complexities and challenges within health and medical systems, which will better prepare them to navigate these systems and to advocate for themselves, family and community in the future.

With a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to fit each student's interests, our program provides students with the knowledge and skills to think critically about complex health issues. Join us today to broaden your perspective and prepare for a career in healthcare, social work, public health, and more.

Students who are majoring in other disciplines may choose to minor in Medical and Health Humanities. The Interdisciplinary Minor in Medical & Health Humanities  requires students to complete 18 credits, to include two core courses and 12 additional credit hours from at least two additional disciplines. The required courses to complete a minor in Medical and Health Humanities are:

IDST B260, IDST B297, and 12 additional credit hours from at least two different disciplines from the following:

  • AFAM B201, AFAM B202
  • ANTH B351, ANTH B352/RELG B360, ANTH B452
  •  BADM B379
  • COMM B350
  • COMM B450
  • ENGL B270, ENGL B428, ENGL B432, ENGL B461
  • HIST B395, HIST B469,
  • PUBH/HRTM B242,
  • IDST B351, IDST B352
  • NURS B300, NURS B305, NURS B330, NURS B341
  • PHIL B211
  • PSYC B311, PSYC B328, PSYC B361, PSYC B409, PSYC B418, PSYC B461
  • PUBH B315, PUBH B322, PUBH B360, PUBH B328, PUBH B410
  • SOCY B301, SOCY B303, SOCY B309, SOCY B341, SOCY B356, SOCY B360
  • THEA/NURS B341

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisor before declaring a minor. 

For more information about Medical Health and Humanities at USCB, contact Libby Ricardo.

Jayln Lawrence
“In my first year as an undergraduate, I struggled to find a major that encompassed who I was and what I wanted to do as a career. I fell in love with the field in one of my first public health classes. This degree gave me the opportunity to help individuals in my community through a variety of services!”
Jayln Lawrence
Public Health major, Class of 2018