About the Major
The primary objective of the program is to prepare students for future careers in a wide array of exciting career fields within public health. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health is designed to educate undergraduates interested in public health and/or health profession training in the broad basic concepts in public health education, practice, and research. The primary focus of public health education is to improve health and quality of life through the population-based prevention and treatment of disease and other physical and mental health conditions, through surveillance of cases and the promotion of health behaviors.
Declaring Public Health as your Major
Direct Admit:
Students applying to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa as a freshman or transfer student may declare the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health as their major upon entry. Requirements for admission to UHM are described in the "Undergraduate Education" section of the UHM Catalog.
Changing Majors:
All current UHM students requesting to change their major to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health from other departments must first complete PH 201 Introduction to Public Health with a B- or better before declaring Public Health as their major. Students will need to fill out the major declaration form, complete the major declaration survey, and meet with an academic advisor.
Concurrent Degree:
Students may choose to pursue a concurrent degree in any UHM college/school in addition to a BA in Public Health degree. The consideration of an additional field of study can increase knowledge, diversify perspectives, and enhance personal education as well as professional growth. Requirements for admission into the BA in Public Health program as a concurrent degree includes completion of PH 201 Introduction to Public Health with a B- or better, a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better, approval from the current advisor, and a statement of purpose from the applicant. Students will need to complete the concurrent degree declaration form.