Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH)

Nationally Accredited

HPU is proud to be the only university in the State of Hawai‘i that offers the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) that is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). 

Beautiful Campus surrounded by various Public Health Orgs

Our offices and classrooms at HPU's Waterfront Plaza Campus are beautifully located at the heart of downtown Honolulu, surrounded by the offices of the Hawai‘i State Capitol, Hawai‘i Department of Health, Hawai‘i Department of Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, numerous non-profit health organizations, research institutions, hospitals, schools, and community centers where most of our students work as volunteers, interns, or employees.

Award-Winning & Internationally-Renowned Faculty

Our diverse public health faculty come from all over the world, and continue to work with international partners in teaching, research, and service. Through our international network, students also have opportunities to study abroad, attend conferences, and participate in cultural exchange activities. Our faculty have decades of experiences across the wide range of public health fields, and their expertise is recognized by numerous local, national, and international awards. However, despite the breadth and depth of their work, our public health faculty prioritize our students and dedicate up to 80% of their time to teaching, advising, and mentoring. Visit this link to view our faculty roster. 

Hawai‘i is the Best in Public Health in the Country

Hawai‘i is consistedly ranked as the healthiest state (Gallup, 2019) and one of the most progressive in public health policies in the United States. For example, in 2015, Hawai‘i became the first state in the country to raise the minimum tobacco smoking age from 18 to 21 years (Reuters), and our public health students have been at the forefront of this historic movement as well as others.

Study with us at Hawai‘i Pacific University and learn how we continue to be among the healthiest people in the world!

Photo above: Students from PH 1000 "Intro to Personal Health" course, testifying to Hawai‘i State Legislators in support of the bill to raise the minimum tobacco smoking age to 21 years (September 2014).

Photo above: Alexis Cortes (BSPH Class of 2019, President of HPU's Public Health Club and Spokesperson for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute Youth Council), interviewed by local and national news media regarding proposed legislative bills to ban flavored tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in Hawai‘i (KHON2, 2019). 

Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH)
Total Credits Required: 120 Credits

General Education Courses (36 Credits)

• Click here for details on our General Education program.

Lower-Division Major Requirements (30 Credits)

• PH 1000 Introduction to Personal Health
• MATH 1123 Statistics
• PH 1200 Introduction to Public Health
• WRI 1200 Research, Argument, & Writing
• BIOL 1300 Nutrition: Eat Smarter
• BIOL 2030 Anatony & Physiology I
• BIOL 2032 Anatomy & Physiology II
• PH 2010 Drugs & Society
• PH 2020 Human Diseases & Conditions
• PH 2060 Comparative Healthcare Systems

Upper-Division Major Requirements (39 Credits)

• PH 3015 Culture & Health
• PH 3020 Epidemiology
• PH 3025 Sexuality in Health & Society
• PH 3030 Health Behavior Theory & Program Planning
• PH 3050 Global Health
• PH 3065 Environmental Health
• PH 3090 Public Health Communication
• PH 3999 Special Topics in Public Health
• PH 4010 Health Policy Analysis
• PH 4030 Pre-Practicum
• PH 4040 Public Health Research Methods
• PH 4910 Practicum
• PH 4920 Public Health Capstone Seminar

Unrestricted Electives

The number of unrestricted elective credits needed will vary depending on the number of credits that overlap between the General Education requirements and the major requirements, but students will need to earn enough college-level credits to reach a total of 120 credits.

This sample degree plan is subject to change. Please meet with your academic advisor prior to registration to formulate your own plan.

For a PDF of this degree plan and the full list of General Education (GE) courses, click here.

Minor in Public Health

Provides a foundation of core public health practice competencies and knowledge. This minor is designed to be useful in a variety of fields such as nursing, pre-medicine, social work, psychology, journalism, sustainability, business, education, and public administration. 

Students must take at least four courses:

• Required:
  • PH 1200 Introduction to Public Health
  • PH 3020 Epidemiology
• Choose Two:
  • PH 3015 Culture and Health
  • PH 3030 Health Behavior Theory & Program Planning
  • PH 3065 Environmental Health
  • PH 3090 Public Health Communication
  • PH 4010 Health Policy Analysis
  • PH 4040 Public Health Research Methods

Minor in Health Education & Promotion

Provides a foundation in health education and health promotion methods and allows students to choose from various areas of health. This minor is designed to be useful in a variety of fields such as nursing, pre-medicine, social work, psychology, journalism, sustainability, business, education, and public administration.

Students must take at least four courses:

• Required:
  • PH 1000 Introduction to Personal Health
  • PH 3030 Health Behavior Theory & Program Planning
• Choose Two:
  • PH 2010 Drugs and Society
  • PH 2020 Human Diseases & Conditions
  • PH 3015 Culture and Health
  • PH 3020 Epidemiology
  • PH 3025 Sexuality in Health & Society
  • PH 3050 Global Health
  • PH 3065 Environmental Health
  • PH 3090 Public Health Communication

• Application
• Transcripts
• Personal Statement
• Application Fee
• SAT I or ACT Scores (freshman only)
• Letter of recommendation
• Resume
• Early Action Deadline: November 15th
• Priority Deadline: January 15th
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis year-round, and it is recommended that students apply well in advance to the start of the term they are interested in. If you apply by our early action deadline, you can expect to receive an admissions decision by December 15th. If you apply by our priority deadline, you can expect to receive an admissions decision by February 15th. At all other times of the year, once your application is complete, you can expect to receive a decision within three weeks of submission.

Apply Now

MISSION: The Public Health Club works to spread awareness, knowledge, and enthusiasm about healthy living in the community. Our club plans to participate in employer networking, allowing our members to acquaint themselves with several employers around the island, and better familiarize themselves with qualities, skills, and experience necessary to be viable applicants for a job after graduating. 

PURPOSE: The purpose of our club is to improve the quality of life for ourselves and the community we live in, by spreading awareness and also creating easy and fun ways for the community to participate in healthy living choices that will benefit everyone. We plan to help the community around us and to create an environment where students can thrive academically and professionally. 

Email phc.hpu@my.hpu.edu for more information.