Program: Public Health, B.A. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Aug 24, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Offered by Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health .

Public health is the study of the health of the population and of how interventions for both vulnerable groups and the general public can improve health outcomes. The Public Health B.A. provides students with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge related to the organization of healthcare in the US and abroad, determinants of health and illness, health policy and law, public and private administration of health services, science and spread of disease, determinants of health, public health programs, and analysis of health data and research. Students are also exposed to public health methods and theories that provide a foundation for research and the planning, development, and implementation of interventions that promote health and well-being.

Graduates of the Public Health program go on to employment in a variety of fields related to public health, health services administration, and health policy. A highly trained public health workforce is vital to the health of the nation and the world, and graduates with a degree in public health are in demand. Many Public Health graduates go on to master’s and doctoral level education in health services administration, health policy, and public health fields. Students also have opportunities to engage in extra and co-curricular activities such as research, service learning, student leadership, and academic competition. All Public Health majors must also complete a semester-long academic internship which can lead to a full-time career after graduation.

SAPH also offers a Public Health Minor .

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, the residence requirement, the Writing Intensive requirement, and the General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 48 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major (except ANTH/PBHL/SOCY 490 grade of ‘P’) and minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA

Course Requirements

Public Health Core Requirements (30 credits)

Complete the following:

Biology Core Requirements (3-4 credits)

Complete one of the following courses:

Experiential Learning Requirements (6 credits)

Complete at least 6 credits from the following with a grade of ‘C’ or better (or ‘P’ for ANTH/PBHL/SOCY 490 only). Students may apply a maximum of 4 credits of ANTH/PBHL/SOCY 490 to the Experiential Learning requirement. Students who are interested in the Research Practicum option should discuss this with their faculty advisor.

Electives Credits (9 credits)

Complete 9 credits, including at least 6 credits at the 300 level or higher, from PBHL and other approved courses. A minimum of 3 credits must be from PBHL courses.

Four-Year Academic Pathways

The Four-Year Academic Pathways webpage offers helpful sample pathways for students eager to explore their academic options and stay on track for a four-year graduation. These pathways provide a starting point for students to plan how to complete their degree in four years. However, it’s important to remember that these are just samples. In consultation with their academic advisor, each student will create an individualized degree plan that reflects their unique academic background, interests, and career goals.

Students must develop their personalized degree plan by the time they’ve earned 45 credits and regularly update it with their advisor as their goals and academic journey evolve. This approach ensures that students make thoughtful, strategic choices that set them up for success throughout their time at UMBC.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. A student may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which they are majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website.