Do you want to be a change agent for the public’s health? Public health at UWM is your home to learn, connect, and make a difference.
Public health improves the health of people and the communities where they grow, live, work, play, and age. Instead of treating individual patients, public health practitioners work in and with communities to prevent disease before it starts. We strive to ensure that every person and community can reach their highest level of health and well-being.
Find yourself in public health! When you choose the Public Health major at UWM, you will:
- Learn and live public health in Milwaukee’s diverse and dynamic communities.
- Jumpstart your career with 120 hours of field placement with our community partners.
- Learn from top instructors at Wisconsin’s only accredited school dedicated to public health.
- Create a world that is socially just and a healthy place for all.
The BS in Public Health at UWM provides students with real-world knowledge, skills, and experiences – both in the classroom and the community – to be a positive force for change. With the Public Health major, you will learn how to diagnose, analyze, and solve a range of public health challenges.
Job prospects for public health graduates are excellent. Trained public health professionals are needed in Wisconsin and nationally to address a shortage of skilled public health workers.
Our graduates are equipped to enter public health and related careers in a wide variety of settings, including local and state government agencies, healthcare organizations, for-profit organizations, academic institutions, and non-profits.
What's your passion? There is a public health career for you!
- Sociology and psychology? You’ll excel in community health and health promotion.
- Political science and government? Pursue a career in policy and advocacy.
- Math and numbers? You’ll find your niche in data analysis and biostatistics.
- Discovering causes of disease? Your perfect career path could be epidemiology and disease prevention.
- Biology and ecology? Make an impact in environmental health.
Our 120-credit program includes general education foundations, Public Health major courses, and 27-33 elective credits tailored to your interests and career goals. The electives allow you to combine the BS in Public Health degree with specialization in one of UWM’s many certificates or minors of your choice.
We welcome transfer students! To learn how to transfer credits from another university to UWM and the BS in Public Health program, reach out to the Zilber College of Public Health undergraduate advising.
We also offer an accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with four areas of specialization. This program allows high achieving undergraduates to save time and money by completing their bachelor’s and master’s degree in public health in only 5 years!
We want to hear from you! Email bs-ph@uwm.edu to learn more about the BS in Public Health degree.
Requirements
Students must earn a minimum of 120 credits to complete the BS in Public Health degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University General Education Requirements (GER) | 0-20 | |
| Foundations | 33 | |
| Public Health Major Requirements | 54 | |
| Electives, including certificate or minor | 27-33 | |
| Minimum credits to degree | 120 | |
University General Education Requirements (GER)
Most of the University General Education Requirements are more than satisfied through the foundations coursework and the public health major requirements. All students should work with their public health advisor to ensure they meet all GER.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Competency Requirements | ||
| Oral and Written Communication (OWC) Part A | 0-3 | |
| Oral and Written Communication (OWC) Part B (satisfied through foundations coursework) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Literacy (QL) Part A (Math 102, Math 105 or Math 108 recommended) | 0-3 | |
| Quantitative Literacy (QL) Part B (satisfied through major coursework) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-8 | |
| Distribution Requirements (satisfied through foundations and major coursework) | ||
| Arts (GER-A) | 3 | |
| Humanities (GER-HU) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (GER-NS and GER-NS+) | 6 | |
| Social Sciences (GER-SS) | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity (GER-CD) | 3 | |
New freshmen may require additional prerequisite coursework as a result of their English and math placement levels. Credit for prerequisite academic work may not count towards the BS in Public Health degree.
Foundations
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Academic and Professional Writing | ||
| ENGLISH 201 | Strategies for Academic Writing (satisfies OWCB) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Health Science Writing 1 | ||
| Writing in the Professions: | ||
| Arts and Cultural Diversity (all courses listed satisfy GER-A and GER-CD) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Art and Culture | ||
| Multicultural America 1, 2 | ||
| Issues in Contemporary Art: (prereq soph st) | ||
| African Dance & Diaspora Technique I | ||
| Multicultural America 1, 2 | ||
| Multicultural America: 1, 2 | ||
Other GER-A course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Communication/Public Speaking (satisfies GER-HU) | ||
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Humanities (all courses listed satisfy GER-HU; some also satisfy GER-CD) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Black Reality: Survey of African-American Society (HU, CD) | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature (HU, CD) | ||
| Multicultural America (HU, CD) 2 | ||
| The Chicano Experience (HU, CD) | ||
| The Multi-Racial Origins of American Cultures (HU, CD) | ||
| Queer Migrations (HU, CD) | ||
| Multicultural America (HU, CD) 2 | ||
| History of Race, Science, and Medicine in the United States (HU, CD) 3 | ||
| Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies (HU) | ||
| Multicultural America (HU, CD) 1, 2 | ||
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Humanities Perspective (HU) | ||
Any other 3 credit course that meets both GER-HU and GER-CD | ||
Other humanities course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Historical Perspectives (satisfy GER-HU, GER-SS, and/or GER-CD) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to African-American History, 1865 to the Present (HU, CD) | ||
| Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past (SS, CD) | ||
| North American Indian History to 1887 (SS, CD) | ||
| North American Indian History Since 1887 (SS, CD) | ||
| World History Since 1500 (HU) | ||
| American History: 1607 to 1877 (SS) | ||
| American History: 1877 to the Present (SS) | ||
| East Asian Civilization Since 1600 (HU) | ||
| History of Race, Science, and Medicine in the United States (HU, CD) 1, 3 | ||
| The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (HU) | ||
| Hmong Americans: History, Culture, and Contemporary Life (SS, CD) | ||
Other history course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Ethics (HU) | ||
| Moral Problems: (HU - Must take 3 topics; topics include Abortion, Bioethics, Contemporary Problems, Drugs and Addiction, Euthanasia, Immigration and Citizenship) 4 | ||
| Ethical Issues in Health Care: (HU) | ||
| Environmental Ethics (prereq jr st) | ||
Other ethics course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| BIO SCI 102 | Elements of Biology (satisfies GER-NS with lab) | 3 |
Other biology course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Political Science (all courses listed satisfy GER-SS) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Government and Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| American Public Policy 1 | ||
Other political science course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Behavioral Science (all courses listed satisfy GER-SS) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Human Life Cycle (prereq soph st) | ||
| Adolescent Health & Development (see prereqs) | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
Other behavioral science course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Social Inequality (nearly all courses satisfy GER-SS; some also satisfy GER-CD) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Indian Studies (SS, CD) | ||
| Geography of Race in the United States (SS, CD) 1 | ||
| Introduction to Latino Studies (SS, CD) | ||
| Solving Social Problems (SS) | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the United States (SS, CD; prereq soph st) | ||
| Social Inequality in the United States (SS; prereq soph st) | ||
| Sex and Gender (SS; prereq soph st) | ||
| Sociology of Sexuality (SS; prereq soph st) | ||
| Urban Planning Solutions to Contemporary Urban Problems (SS) | ||
| Multicultural America (SS, CD) 1, 2 | ||
| Social Justice, Urban Planning and the New Multicultural America (CD) | ||
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: A Social Science Perspective (SS) | ||
Other social inequality course approved by Zilber School academic advisor | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
Recommended selection.
- 2
Has service learning component.
- 3
HIST 229 may only count for one Foundations category.
- 4
1 credit course; must take three separate topics for 3 credits total.
Public Health Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH 101 | Introduction to Public Health (GER-SS) | 3 |
| PH 142 | Exploring Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| PH 201 | Public Health from Cells to Society I | 3 |
| PH 202 | Public Health from Cells to Society II | 3 |
| KIN 270 | Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice (QLB) 5 | 3 |
| or SOCIOL 261 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | |
| PH 302 | Health and Disease: Concepts and Contexts | 3 |
| PH 304 | Foundations of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PH 303 | Climate Change, the Environment and Human Health (GER-NS) | 3 |
| PH 319 | Introduction to Health Disparities | 3 |
| PH 327 | Foundations for Action in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 346 | Environmental Health and Disease | 3 |
| PH 355 | Public Health Research Methods I | 3 |
| PH 408 | Comparative Health Systems: A Social Determinants Approach | 3 |
| PH 410 | True Lies: Consuming and Communicating Quantitative Information | 3 |
| PH 427 | Strategies for Action in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 428 | Program Implementation & Evaluation for a Healthy Society | 3 |
| PH 455 | Public Health Research Methods II | 3 |
| PH 600 | Public Health Integrative Experience (Service Learning) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 54 | |
- 5
Select QLB course substitutions allowed - please see your public health academic advisor.
Electives
With the help of their academic advisor, students will select electives to complete the 120 total credits required for the degree. Electives are tailored to each student’s interests and career goals. Students may choose a related area of specialization outside of the Zilber College by completing any minor or interdisciplinary certificate offered by UWM, typically comprised of 18-22 credits. In some cases, students may choose to study two related areas, or they may complement a certificate or minor with other courses of interest.
Certificates or Minors
Certificates of potential interest to public health students include, but are not limited to: Community Arts, Community Engagement Strategies, Community Leadership, Comparative Ethnic Studies, Cultures and Communities, Food Studies, Global Health, Healthy Aging, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies, Quantitative Social Data Analysis, Spanish for Health Professionals, Urban Planning, and Urban Studies.
Minors of potential interest to public health students include, but are not limited to: Community Engagement, Geographic Information Science, Geography, Global Studies, Health Care Administration, International Studies, Mathematics (Statistics), Nutritional Sciences, and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Degree and Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 120 semester credits is required to complete the BS in Public Health degree. A cumulative GPA of 2.25 or greater, including transferable credits and all credits earned at UWM, is required for graduation. Students must also maintain an average GPA of 2.5 in all public health major courses required for graduation (54 credits total).
If, during the program, a student falls below these minimum GPA requirements, the student will be placed on academic probation. A student who remains on probation for more than two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the major.
Students who earn a D+ or lower in any public health major course required for graduation (54 credits) must repeat the course and earn at least a C-. Courses required for the BS in Public Health degree may be repeated only once. Students who twice earn a grade lower than these requirements will be dismissed from the public health major.
Students who are struggling in their courses for any reason are encouraged to access retention services available in the Zilber College of Public Health.
Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| PH 101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra (QLA) | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II (QLA) | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research | 3 |
| BIO SCI 102 | Elements of Biology (NS+) | 3 |
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PH 142 | Exploring Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| ENGLISH 201 | Strategies for Academic Writing | 3 |
| PSYCH 101 | Introduction to Psychology (Behavioral Science Foundations*, SS) | 3 |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Social Inequality Foundations* | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| PH 201 | Public Health from Cells to Society I | 3 |
| ENGLISH 207 or ENGLISH 214 | Health Science Writing (OWCB) or Writing in the Professions: | 3 |
| Historical Perspectives Foundations* | 3 | |
| Political Science Foundations* | 3 | |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PH 202 | Public Health from Cells to Society II | 3 |
| Humanities Foundations* (HU/CD) | 3 | |
| KIN 270 or SOCIOL 261 | Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice or Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | 3 |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| PH 327 | Foundations for Action in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 355 | Public Health Research Methods I | 3 |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| PH 304 | Foundations of Epidemiology | 3 |
| Ethics Foundations | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PH 319 | Introduction to Health Disparities | 3 |
| PH 427 | Strategies for Action in Public Health | 3 |
| PH 455 | Public Health Research Methods II | 3 |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| PH 410 | True Lies: Consuming and Communicating Quantitative Information | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| PH 408 | Comparative Health Systems: A Social Determinants Approach | 3 |
| PH 303 | Climate Change, the Environment and Human Health | 3 |
| PH 428 | Program Implementation & Evaluation for a Healthy Society | 3 |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| PH 302 | Health and Disease: Concepts and Contexts | 3 |
| PH 346 | Environmental Health and Disease | 3 |
| PH 600 | Public Health Integrative Experience (Service Learning) | 3 |
| Arts and Cultural Diversity Foundations* (ART/CD) | 3 | |
| Elective (Certificate/Minor) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Core Competencies
The BS in Public Health program has 15 core competencies designed to meet Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation requirements. Graduates of the Public Health major will be able to:
- Explain the importance of respect for diverse values, beliefs, cultures, and the dignity of individuals and communities in public health practice;
- Explain the history and philosophy of public health, including its core values, theories, concepts, and functions in society;
- Collect and analyze public health data using fundamental quantitative and qualitative methods and instruments;
- Locate and evaluate primary scientific literature and other information sources (e.g., media) to inform evidence-based public health approaches;
- Outline evidence-based approaches—using data, assessment, and evaluation—to address public health problems;
- Explain why and how public health professionals should ethically engage in interactions with study/program participants, community (partners and stakeholders), and others to address population health and health equity;
- Develop advocacy strategies for multi-level social policies and interventions to promote population health;
- Assess the advantages and disadvantages of health promotion interventions for specific populations;
- Discuss ethical social, ecological, political, and community approaches to public health dilemmas;
- Explain the natural history of human health and disease, their biological and environmental origins, distribution among populations, and strategies for their prevention, management, and control;
- Explain the interrelationship between hazards in the natural and built environment, and human and population health;
- Explain multilevel and ecosocial pathways through which social, economic, legal, and political structures and systems affect population health and health inequities across the lifecourse;
- Interpret environmental, regulatory, legal, and economic structures, as well as their interactions, within communities and health systems from the perspective of social justice and human rights;
- Apply fundamental concepts and features of public health interventions and programs, including their planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation; and
- Communicate public health evidence and concepts to diverse audiences using a variety of modalities and media.
Admission to the School of Public Health
Students who meet the standard University admission requirements are admissible to the College of Public Health. For undergraduate admission requirements, see the Admission section of this catalog.
Accelerated Program Option
This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.
Zilber College of Public Health Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.