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What Are 3 Bachelor of Science in Public Health Concentrations? A Complete Guide

9 minute read

Are you passionate about identifying issues that impact community health and implementing solutions to these problems? If so, then you may be interested in the field of public health. Public health professionals devote their time to preventing disease and promoting both individual and community health. These professionals may conduct research, educate on public health, and work within communities to improve quality of life. The work of public health professionals is varied; the same is true of public health coursework. When you pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) through the University of Cincinnati, you’ll choose from one of three concentrations to complement your degree. This way, you’ll receive a foundational public health education while also focusing on your specific interests.

Key Takeaways

    • The University of Cincinnati's online BS in Public Health program offers concentrations in three areas: Health Care Administration, Health Promotion & Education, and Global Health.
    • Students choose their concentration to align with their specific career goals, whether that is leading a health care organization or becoming a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
    • Depending upon their concentration, students develop skills particularly applicable to health administration, community health education, and global health policy.

Why Should You Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Public Health?

Many factors make public health a worthwhile choice for your bachelor’s degree. While they play an essential role in the health care industry, public health professionals often work outside of clinical settings. This makes the industry an excellent fit for “students who have a passion for health and helping people, but don’t want to work with needles and bodily fluids,” says Amanda Oney, Director of the Health Promotion & Education concentration. Other benefits of a public health degree include making an impact on your community and growth potential. A wide variety of in-demand careers exist in the industry, from medical health and services managers to roles in epidemiology. As we mentioned, the degree concentration you choose can heavily impact what career you pursue after graduation.

The 3 BS in Public Health Concentrations—Your Comprehensive Guide

In many ways, choosing a concentration is the ultimate way to personalize your educational experience. It allows you to identify your career goals and then complete coursework that best fits your needs. Within the public health bachelor’s degree, three concentrations are available to you.   Let’s learn more from the directors of each of our public health concentrations: Health Care Administration, Health Promotion & Education, and Global Health.

Health Care Administration

Through the Health Care Administration (HCA) concentration, students are exposed to the business of health care. As such, the coursework for this concentration emphasizes leadership and management in health care, communication, data and financial analysis, and health care policy and regulatory requirements.

“Health care administrators address real-world problems in multiple settings, such as improving access to high-quality, ethical care for varied populations while containing costs,” says Dr. Amanda Logan-Athmer, Director of the HCA concentration. “This includes managing the workforce and health systems to organizational needs—with a focus on leadership, continuous improvement, and patient and employee satisfaction.” Health care administrators play a key role in improving the health and lives of individuals and organizations alike. With both interpersonal and business skills, HCA students are equipped to excel in a wide range of roles. Early in their careers, they thrive in support roles that involve medical billing and coding, data entry, and other office assistant work. At the mid-to-senior level, a background in HCA leads them to director, manager, and coordinator roles in various health care organizations. “The most senior health care administrators may serve in C-Suite roles, such as CEO, CFO, and CIO,” adds Dr. Logan-Athmer.

Health Promotion & Education

The Health Promotion and Education (HPE) concentration provides students with a skill set they can utilize to address any community health issue. As part of their HPE coursework, students study health behavior theory, factors that influence individual health, and program planning models, techniques, and tools.

“The core focus of the HPE concentration is helping people make healthier choices," says Professor Amanda Oney, the concentration’s Director. And how is this accomplished? “By providing education and changing the environment around them to make the healthy choice the easy choice. The concentration prepares students to work with individuals, groups, and communities to develop programs and interventions that support healthy living.” Overall, Professor Oney highlights that these individuals work on the front lines in their communities. “They are the ones working with partners to come up with interventions and solutions. They address underlying causes in order to reduce and prevent problems.” Students in this concentration are well-positioned to work in non-profits and local health departments, particularly as program coordinators, health educators, and project managers. Additionally, the HPE concentration trains students to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES), a nationally recognized credential and advantageous distinction when interviewing for public health roles.

Global Health

Led by Professor Priynaka Gudsoorkar, the Global Health concentration allows students to explore how globalization, injustice, climate change, and sociopolitical systems shape public health. As part of its focus on global health systems, the concentration offers study abroad and other experiential learning opportunities. Additional key features of the concentration include coursework in policy and ethics, environmental health, human rights, and cross-cultural communication.

“This concentration responds directly to calls from global health leaders for undergraduate training that emphasizes interconnected health systems, pandemic preparedness, climate-linked health risks, and health equity,” says Professor Gudsoorkar. “With only 26% of U.S. institutions offering global health pathways, this program places UC at the forefront of addressing both local disparities and global structural health challenges.” By providing students with pathways to work with global partners, the concentration also prepares students for "leadership in transnational public health practice.” After earning a degree with this concentration, graduates may pursue careers in a variety of settings that involve international work. These range from global NGOs to ministries of health, from humanitarian aid agencies to local health departments. Their skills are especially applicable to the roles of global health coordinator, health education specialist, program analyst, community outreach associate, or graduate study.

Tips for Choosing Your Public Health Concentration

When choosing a public health concentration, the same principles apply as when choosing a degree program. Ultimately, your decision should take into account your interests, goals, and current skills. However, even if some aspects of a concentration seem outside your wheelhouse, don’t count yourself out just yet; as much as your degree program should align with your natural strengths, it’s also an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and build new skills. If you’re excited about combining your passion for public health with administration and management, then the Health Care Administration concentration is for you. If you envision yourself working “hands-on” with a variety of community partners, individuals, and groups, then you’re well-suited to the Health Promotion & Education concentration.  And if you’re curious about the world and driven to solve complex health problems across borders, then you will thrive in the Global Health concentration.

Ready to Learn More About UC’s BS in Public Health? Contact Us Today for Personalized Support 

Regardless of which concentration you choose, you’re guaranteed to receive a world-class education in public health at UC. Do you have more questions about one of the concentrations or the degree program as a whole? If so, then your next step is to contact your Enrollment Services Advisor for more information. UC’s dedicated online staff is here to help you decide what’s best for your future—so that you can start making a positive impact on the future of community health. 

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