Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program at the University of Michigan-Flint prepares you for various entry-level public health positions. It emphasizes health education, preparing you to help individuals, families, and communities change their behavior and lifestyles.
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In your courses, you’ll explore subjects like bioethics, epidemiology, public policy and health care, global health, health education and promotion, and health care leadership. They reflect the values of public health: community engagement, disease prevention, health promotion, and serving vulnerable populations. The curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge needed to take the Certified Health Education Specialist exam.
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Why Choose Public Health at UM-Flint?
Earn Real-World Experience at the Bachelor’s Level
You will complete an internship in a public health agency and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Make an Impact in Your Community
Graduates can impact population health domestically and globally and make an immediate difference in the health resources and opportunities in their community.
Complete Your Master’s Degree With Fewer Credits
Students interested in earning a Master of Public Health can complete the joint BS/MPH program and earn both degrees with up to 17 fewer credits.
Participate in Research as an Undergraduate Student
You’ll have the option to conduct research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research.
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered, upon admission, for the Go Blue Guarantee, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Public Health Degree Programs
We offer an undergraduate degree and a minor in public health: the Bachelor of Science in Public Health and the Public Health Minor, which students can complete in 9 to 15 credits, depending on their major.
The Department of Public Health & Health Sciences offers three other options if you wish to continue to a graduate program:
The joint Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program is designed for UM-Flint undergraduate Public Health students who wish to pursue an MPH degree. You can earn both degrees with up to 17 fewer credits than if you completed them separately.
The Public Health Graduate Certificate is a 10-credit hour, 100% online program. The certificate can be used toward earning UM-Flint’s Master of Science in Health Services Administration or Master of Public Health.
The Master of Public Health program allows students to develop skills in the classroom and through involvement in meaningful, real-world public health projects developed for a community agency. The program can be completed 100% online.
Career Outlook
Public health professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, public health departments, non-profits, businesses, public schools, colleges and universities, and more. The focus on health education prepares graduates to implement behavior modification and lifestyle changes for individuals, families, and communities.
Depending on the job you choose, you may:
- Track disease outbreaks.
- Prevent injuries.
- Focus on disparities in health.
- Advocate for policies that improve population health.
- Address health equity.
- Educate on the risks of alcohol and tobacco.
- Set safety standards.
Our students get experience in many settings. They have interned at Crim Fitness Foundation, Genesee Health Systems, Genesee Intermediate School District, Hurley Medical Center Car Seat Safety Program, Oakland County Health Department, Project Healthy Community, UM-Flint Department of Academic Research and Prevention and more.
More information about careers in public health is available from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12%
projected health education specialist and community health workers employment growth.
16,000
openings for health education specialists and community health workers each year through 2031.
$48,860
median salary
Academic Advising for Public Health Majors
Understanding program requirements, choosing classes, and other aspects of attending college can sometimes seem a little overwhelming. UM-Flint’s expert academic advisors can answer your questions and help steer you on the path to academic success.
Academic Advisor
Scholarships
Besides being eligible for financial assistance through UM-Flint’s Office of Financial Aid, you can apply for CHS scholarships.
Numerous scholarships are available to CHS students, each with its own requirements. They’re made possible through generous donations to the College of Health Sciences.
Accreditation
The Public Health programs in the Department of Public Health & Health Sciences are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Input from our many stakeholders, including students, plays a critical role in this ongoing process. Read more on the Public Health Accreditation page.
Public Notice: CEPH Accreditation Review & Third-Party Comments
The University of Michigan-Flint Public Health Programs: Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Master of Public Health, are currently preparing for a review for re-accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.
As part of the accreditation process, CEPH invites students, alumni, community partners, employers, and other interested parties to submit written comments regarding the program and its alignment with CEPH standards.
All third-party comments must be submitted directly to CEPH
Comments must be received by CEPH no later than April 3, 2026.
Submit comments to: submissions@ceph.org
We appreciate the continued support of our university and community partners as we work to advance public health education and strengthen the health of Flint and beyond.