Public Health (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the Department of Health Studies , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the major requires a minimum 2.67 cumulative GPA after the first year and departmental approval. In addition to the university requirements for transfer admission, applicants should have maintained a minimum 2.67 cumulative GPA. Students with a grade point average between 2.50 and 2.67 may be formally admitted to the major after completion of 15 credit hours with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

52 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 30 credit hours at or above 300-level

Course Requirements

Required (30 credit hours)

Research (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Global Health (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Basic Statistics (4 credit hours)

Complete 4 credit hours from the following:

Capstone (3 credit hours)

HLTH-480 Public Health Capstone (3)

Electives (9 credit hours)

Complete 3 courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours, with at least 6 credit hours at or above 300-level, from no more than two of the following elective clusters:

Note: Some courses may have additional prerequisites.

Global Health

Health Science

Policy, Program Planning, and Evaluation

Social and Community Health

Combined Public Health (BA) and Health Promotion Management (MS)

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

Undergraduates whose overall grade point average is 3.00 or higher will be considered for the combined program
Students should discuss their interest in the program with the academic advisor for the Public Health (BA) before submitting a formal application

Combined Public Health (BA) and Nutrition Education (MS)

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for combined bachelor’s/master’s programs:

Undergraduates whose overall grade point average is 3.00 or higher will be considered for the combined program
Students should discuss their interest in the program with the academic advisor for the Public Health (BA) before submitting a formal application