New bachelor’s degree in Public Health available for Fall 2016

Beginning in the Fall 2016 semester, Liberty University will offer a B.S. in Public Health. The new degree will replace the current B.S. in Health Promotion.

The university currently offers a Master of Public Heath (M.P.H.) degree, which gives students a foundation in epidemiology and biostatistics and offers concentrations in health promotion, global health, and nutrition.

Dr. Annette Florence, chair of the Department of Public & Community Health, said the university decided to add the B.S. in Public Health in order to provide students with a broader education at the undergraduate level.

“Health promotion is one aspect of public health, and one of the tracks of study still focuses on health education and promotion, but now the core classes for this program will include other key areas of public health, such as environmental health, disaster management, and health administration,” she said.  “This will create a well-rounded education in public health and expand future job possibilities for students.”

Florence said that the pre-clinical track now provides students more flexibility to select prerequisites that may be required for various graduate clinical degree programs.

“This degree change will strengthen the public health core classes students will take,” she said. “A stronger foundation in public health prepares students to pursue a career in public health in case they decide not to receive further training in a clinical area.”

In addition to strengthening program and course content, these changes will also meet the requirements needed for the program to receive accreditation from the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH).

The new degree will enable Liberty graduates to compete in the job market, as many employers, such as government agencies, want employees who graduated from CEPH-accredited institutions.

“While we have made changes to course requirements, the program is still committed to Liberty’s unique integration of spirituality and intellectual preparation of students,” Florence said.

• Over one-third of Liberty students are pursuing health-related degrees. Read more in the Liberty Journal.