Interested in a BSPH in Public Health?

There are four programs of study with competitive applications leading to a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, BSPH. Applications are due during the second semester of your sophomore year and vary by department.

For more information on these programs, visit the Gillings prospective students page and/or connect with:

Jonathan Earnest (sph-admissions@unc.edu)
Director of Admissions
919.445.1170

Admissions

Preparation for BSPH:

As you prepare your application, consider how you want to present yourself:

When/how/why did you become interested in the BSPH program?
What experience, volunteer or paid, contributed to your interest in the field?
What do you feel you have to offer to the program and field?
How will this program prepare you for your projected career?

How to be Competitive

Because these programs have small cohorts, there is a competitive GPA requirement. Average GPAs of admitted students range from 3.0 to 3.7 depending on the program. Prospective students are required to complete the prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better prior to beginning the program. Students should aim to take the prerequisites during their first year or sophomore year – and as many as they can before the application due date. See details within the links above.

Letters of Recommendation

Students need two letters of recommendation; review the suggestions and requirements for each department. In general, at least one of the letters should be from a teacher or faculty member in a discipline related to the prospective program of study. Students may ask a high school teacher if they do not know their UNC-Chapel Hill professors or TAs well. While two letters from two college professors would be ideal, the admission committee realizes many second-year students may not have this option.

Both references should be academic or professional rather personal. Relevant references from college or high school are most highly weighted, followed by science teachers, followed by teachers from other subjects or professional references.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Coursework

BSPH Environmental Health Science

Math 231
Math 232
Chem 101/L
Chem 102/L
Chem 261
Biol 101
ENVR 89 Fall or ENVR 135 Spring
Advance Biology
Ideas in Action requirements
ECUIPP Lab ENVR 135/335 Spring semester
Suggested STEM pre-requisites: BIOL 103 or 104; PHYS 114 or 118
Options: ENVR 630 (Biol 101 pre-req)

BSPH BioStatistics

Math 231
Math 232
Math233
Biol 101/L
Comp110/116
After Math 233, consider Math 381/347/383…)

BSPH Health Policy and Management

BIO 101/L
ECON 101
STOR 120 or STOR 155

+ Choose one:

MATH 130
MATH 133
MATH 152
MATH 231
MATH 232
MATH 233

BSPH Nutrition

BIO 101/L
BIO 252/L
CHEM 101/L
CHEM 102/L

+ for Science and Research Track

NUTR 240
CHEM 261

Extracurricular

Experience

While experience is not a requirement, it is to your advantage and assists in answering the questions above. You may gain experience through internships/work, research, and/or volunteer/leadership.

Internships and/or work experience – find an opportunity to work in the field.

Consider the population or topic you want to focus on. Examples might include farmworkers, children, nutrition, access to healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Search “public health” and/or other keywords on Handshake, indeed.com, idealist.org, or other job search databases.
Network for opportunities using your own connections and/or alumni through LinkedIn.

Research experience – work with a faculty member or center/institute at UNC.

Consider the population or topic you want to focus on. Examples might include farmworkers, children, nutrition, access to healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Learn about the types of research and work being done at Gillings – reach out to faculty to express interest and conduct an informational interview.
Find opportunities at the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Search for your keywords of interest on the UNC researcher database.
Network for opportunities using your own connections and/or alumni through LinkedIn.

Leadership or volunteerism in student or community organizations – get involved at UNC and in the Triangle.

Consider the population or topic you want to focus on (examples might include farmworkers, children, nutrition, access to healthcare, environmental sustainability, etc.).
Search the UNC student activities database for groups related to your interests.
Find opportunities to volunteer in the community through Carolina Center for Public Service, Campus Y, and idealist.org.

Resources

Learning more about the Public Health Field

Not sure the BSPH is right for you, but still interested in pursuing a career in public health?

There are many paths to get into the field.

Consider alternate majors and/or a combination of classes. Ideas could include global studies with the global health track, a medical anthropology minor, entrepreneurship minor with the public health track. Consider “stand-alone” courses like SPHG 620, Public Health Fields, or PUBH 420, HIV/AIDS…?
Gain experience. See the list above for ideas for finding internships, research, leadership, and volunteering.
Pursue a graduate degree. Take a look at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health for information on the breadth of public health disciplines, degree requirements, and schools.
Register for SPHG 101 Exploring Public Health Fields (1 credit, fall only). This introductory course serves to develop a foundation in the breadth and depth of public health, locally and globally.
Connect with current faculty, staff and students. Register for our webinars, open house events, and building tours here.

I’m a senior and just learning about public health as an option. Where can I work after graduation to gain experience?

There are many options depending on where you want to take your interests.

Ask yourself

What am I most interested in?
math | science | education | creative ventures | policy | business | environmental issues
What am I good at?
data analysis | communication | teaching | management | research
What kind of environment/industry do I want to work in?
academia | research center | government | school/educational setting | non-profit | hospital/patient care setting

Then, think about the answers to these how these could translate to jobs

Some Examples:

research assistant on a study
health educator for an urban school district
administrator in a doctor’s office
policy research for a health department
internship with a sustainable farm
global volunteer service

Public Health