Public Health (BS, Online Degree Completion)

Program Requirements

Core Requirements for Majors

BIOL 104CD	Introduction to Environmental Science	4
BIOL 113CD	General Biology	4
BIOL 221CD	Microbiology	4
CHEM 101CD	Chemical Determinants of Health	4
COMM 312CD	Health Communications	4
PH 101CD	Introduction to Public Health	4
PH 201CD	Introduction to Epidemiology	4
PH 241CD/SOCI 241CD	Health, Illness & Society	4
PH 245CD	Global Health	4
PH 345CD	Health Systems & Policy	4
PH 347CD	Public Health Seminar	4
SOCI 239CD	Introduction to Social Research I	4
STAT 118CD	Introductory Statistics	4

Capstone Requirement

Public Health seniors will complete their capstone requirement by taking the Public Health Senior Seminar (PH 347), plus will undertake either: a one-semester senior internship, a one-semester research experience, or a two-semester thesis. All students will make a poster presentation and submit an internship paper, research paper, or research thesis as the final products of their capstone experience.

Arrangements for satisfying the capstone requirement must be made with the student’s public health advisor before the end of the junior year.

For students doing internships

PH 370CD

Internship

0–8

For students doing independent research

PH 350CD

Independent Study

1-4

For students completing a thesis

PH 350CD	Independent Study	1-4
PH 355CD	Thesis	4

Elective Courses

Students must complete two additional courses from this list:

BUS 234CD	Organizational Communication & Behavior	4
PH 235CD	Introduction to Health Promotion	4
SOCI 285CD	Drugs and Society	4

NOTE: External credits for elective courses are allowed. Electives are reviewed and approved by the Public Health Bachelor’s Program Director. 

Additional Graduate Study Opportunities

The Public Health Department offers two BS/MPH programs that allow undergraduate Public Health majors to fast track their career in public health by completing Simmons’ Master of Public Health in Health Equity. Students who want more information about these options should reach out to the Public Health Bachelor’s Program Director.

1. The 3+1 BS/MPH Program allows students to complete both degrees within four academic years; students may apply to this program prior to matriculating at Simmons University or by May 15 after their first  their second year of undergraduate studies through careful advising during their first year at Simmons.
2. The Simmons Edge Early Admission BS/MPH Program allows students to complete two MPH courses during their third and/or fourth years at Simmons, whereby students apply to the MPH Program during their second or third years.

In addition to Simmons' BS/MPH Programs, the Public Health Department has matriculation agreements in place for Masters Programs in Public Health with Boston University School of Public Health (Select Scholars Program) and The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Interested students should discuss these options with the Public Health Bachelor's Director in the fall of their junior year.

Other

Students will be encouraged to attend open virtual lectures on Public Health in Boston. Courses at Simmons will integrate guest speakers from the pool of expertise in the area. Students are encouraged to obtain applied work experience in addition to the required academic senior capstone requirements, through volunteering, part-time jobs, or additional internships.