BS in Public Health Sciences
Make a meaningful impact on society with our public health sciences major.
Chronic and infectious disease, reproductive care, global health, aging, and environmental pollution are among today’s most pressing public health issues. Our faculty are experts in these fields and many others — just one reason to earn your bachelor’s in Public Health Sciences at UMass Amherst.
The Public Health Sciences major is among the most comprehensive programs of its kind in New England. As a student in this major, you will experience the best of UMass Amherst, including small classes and personalized advising. The program incorporates courses from five core areas within public health: Community Health Education, Health Policy and Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics.
BS in Public Health Sciences - 68 credits total
Foundational courses:
- One math or statistics course (3 credits)
- Six courses in the natural and socials sciences, which provide theoretical grounding for later course work (18 credits)
Major-specific core courses and electives:
- Eight public health core courses (26 credits)
- Three public health electives (9 credits)
- Four focus area courses (12 credits)
Benefits list
Diverse Career Paths
The public health major prepares you for a wide range of health-related careers in hospital and insurance systems, nonprofit groups, and government agencies. Our students are also well-prepared to pursue graduate studies or attend medical, physician assistant, or nursing programs.
Focus Area
Public health sciences majors identify a focus, exploring an area in public health of particular interest to them. The focus area enhances understanding of the field and better prepares students for a career in public health.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs
Public health majors have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs led by world-class UMass faculty. Their courses focus on topics relevant to global health, and students participate in practical public health experiences, all while immersing themselves in a new culture and country.
Featured class
In this class students will examine controversies in environmental health sciences and discuss these topics after completing focused readings.
Featured Faculty
Sofija Zagarins
Lecturer in Epidemiology
Focus on nutrient sufficiency and micronutrient status; overall diet quality; bone mass and body composition; disease prevention and management.
Lawrence Pellegrini
Senior Lecturer in Health Policy and Management
Focus on Social Security disability, health economics, mental health
Richard Peltier
Focus on aerosols, exposure, chemistry, measurements, and fieldwork.
Megan Patton-Lopez
Focus on community nutrition, implementation science, child and adolescent health, healthy eating and active living, health equity.
Andrew Lover
Deputy Director, New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease
Commissioner, Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control
Focus on infectious disease epidemiology; vector-borne disease; malaria; global health; epidemiological study design
In the Spotlight
"In public health, it is important to get off the Internet, and do the majority of your career exploration in a hands-on way. Reach out to your social network to learn more about what’s out there and see if there is a way to get involved."
Application information & deadlines
Prospective students interested in the undergraduate public health sciences major begin by applying to the university.
Fall 2025 Early Action Deadline
Prospective first-year students must submit their application via the Common App by Nov. 5.
Regular Decision Deadline
Prospective students should apply to the Common App by Jan. 15.
Spring Semester Application Deadline
Prospective students who wish to begin in the spring term should apply to the Common App by Oct. 15.
Public Health Sciences
Building the foundations for careers in public health and clinical professions.