Bachelor of Science in Health (2024)

The UH Health program offers three degree tracks:

1. Public Health

UH is one of just a few U.S. universities offering a BS degree in Health with a Public Health Track. This degree option provides courses required for entry-level public health jobs found in government agencies, health corporations, community non-profit organizations and health care facilities. The Public Health Core, combined with a Health Promotion Specialization and Health Electives offers numerous strong opportunities to Public Health majors for employment. It provides key concepts and competencies nationally deemed necessary in undergraduate public health coursework by national organizations such as the Association for Prevention, Teaching, and Research and the American Public Health Association Graduates are well prepared to take the CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certification. It also serves as a feeder-program for graduate study in our College of Education programs, local Schools of Public Health, and health professional schools in the Texas Medical Center and statewide

2. Health Promotion

The Health Promotion Track consists of core Health Promotion Courses and Advanced Health Electives designed to provide the student with the flexibility to develop areas of individual competencies desirable for future employment. Socio-cultural, behavioral, psychological, and biological factors contributing to wellness and disease are emphasized. It is an ideal major for students interested in public/community health practice, health behavior research, program planning, and delivery, and pre-professional or graduate preparation. Graduates are well prepared to take the CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certification.

3. Health Promotion for Allied Health Professionals

This Track consists of Health Promotion Core, Health Electives, and Approved Electives. Students who have completed a two-year Associate degree program in an allied health field (e.g., dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, health information technology, speech-language pathology assistant, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technician, radiologic technology, physical therapy) may transfer in University core course requirements and advisor-approved courses from their Allied Health Field. This curriculum provides a program that coordinates well with previous backgrounds and training and allows students to progress to a Bachelor's Degree. Graduates are well prepared to take the CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certification.

Since degree plans change periodically, students will follow the degree plan that is in place at the time in which they complete an official, approved degree plan. Following are the most current sample degree plans for Health majors:

Please see a Health Undergraduate Advisor for more information.

Students in the Health program typically pursue the following career settings:

• Community and Public Health Agencies – coalition building, needs assessments, grant writing, media advocacy, budgeting, and health promotion.
• Healthcare settings – provide patient education, develop and conduct health and wellness programs, and develop health outreach services in the community.
• Worksite Health Promotion – employee wellness programs, health screenings, health resource person, annual health fairs.
• Schools, Colleges and Universities – health educator for wellness programs and recreational activities.
• Voluntary Health Agencies - plan, implement and evaluate components of the agency’s programs. Train volunteers, fundraise and educate the community.

In addition to these careers, students are well-prepared for graduate studies - in education, schools of public health and allied health professional schools in the Texas Medical Center and statewide. Graduates are well prepared to take the CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certification . CHES competencies are generic to the practice of health promotion and health education, whether it takes place in schools, colleges, workplaces, health care settings, or other settings within a community.