For aspiring public health professionals living in today’s digital world, online bachelor’s in public health programs can be compelling options for public health education. This page will walk you through what an online bachelor’s in public health degree consists of, the top reasons to consider pursuing one, and the curricula and concentrations available, as well as answer all of the most frequently asked questions about online BPH programs. 

An online bachelor’s in public health degree is an umbrella term for all online public health degrees offered at the bachelor’s level. This includes Bachelor of Science in public health (BSPH) and Bachelor of Arts in public health (BAPH) programs in which all courses are delivered online. While some online degree programs offer a hybrid of online and in-person learning, this page focuses only on 100% online BPH programs, meaning that everything — from the admissions process to the coursework and final evaluations — is completed online. 

Every online BPH program described on this page (BSPH, BAPH and others) is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that follows established criteria for accrediting schools and programs in public health that meet a set standard of quality. CEPH accreditation is a benchmark that many institutions of higher education, certification boards and employers include as part of their credentials — so it’s an important factor to keep in mind when considering an online BPH program. 

There are many reasons to consider an online bachelor’s in public health program. Typically, online BPH programs offer greater scheduling and time management flexibility than in-person programs. This can be critical to students with life circumstances that require them to be in close proximity to home — whether due to familial obligations, a full-time work schedule or any other commitment that conflicts with the structure of in-person learning. For students from low-income families, forgoing the cost of daily transportation or full-time university housing can mean access to a program they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. An online BPH also offers students the opportunity to gain greater comfort and experience with technology at a time when the transition to remote work is increasingly common.

Online bachelor’s in public health programs, including BSPH, BAPH and BS programs with concentrations in public health, share a common goal: preparing students to successfully advance into further public health education and the professional field. 

The curricula of BPH programs focus on introducing the core disciplines that fall under — and form the foundation of — public health professions and practices. These disciplines include epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, environmental and occupational health sciences, and health services administration. Depending on the specific BPH program you choose, you may have the option to select a concentration at the bachelor’s level. These options may include community-based public health, health promotion and education, clinical trials research, health services administration, and human development and family sciences. 

If you don’t receive the option to select a concentration at the bachelor’s level, that’s perfectly normal, too — the central goal of a bachelor’s degree is to instill a strong generalist point of view and foundation. Some examples of common BPH courses are introduction to public health, U.S. health care systems, research methods and issues in health science, global public health and applied epidemiology. In addition to learning the fundamentals, you may also take elective courses that fall under any number of different topics in public health.

There’s a lot to take into account when considering an online bachelor’s in public health. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about online BPH programs.

As you consider different online bachelor’s in public health programs, it’s critical to research all available options. Below is a list of all 100% online, CEPH-accredited bachelor’s degrees in public health — including BSPH, Bachelor of Health Science and BS options — to help you make an informed decision.

If you are interested in going to an on-campus program, PublicHealthDegrees.org has also compiled a list of traditional Bachelors in Public Health Programs. 

Informational last updated July 2020