Public Health Science majors have access to a number of resources and opportunities to enhance and support your academic, co-curricular, and career goals.
Student Success
Current and prospective Public Health Science (PHSC) majors are supported in your academic planning by a team of advisors both in the major and in the college.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Science consists of a minimum 120 credit hours. The major includes 74 credits of courses in life sciences and public health. In their final semester, Public Health Science majors enroll in a 3-credit capstone course.
Learn more about academic planning for Public Health Science majors:
Public Health Science is one of four undergraduate majors in the School of Public Health. The Public Health Science major is not a limited enrollment program, which means students can declare it at any time.
Current and prospective Public Health Science majors can apply for scholarships and other financial aid to support your studies.
Exceptional PHSC majors may be recognized for achievements within and beyond the classroom.
School of Public Health
University of Maryland
Career Development
What can you do with a degree in public health science? This article from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on STEM careers in public health can give you some ideas.
Public Health Science majors go on to careers in health care, policy, consulting, research, and more. It's never too early to start learning what is possible after college!
Check out these events for Public Health Science students!
PHSC Ice Cream Social!
PHSC Students! Please join us to celebrate 10 years of Public Health Science at UMD! We will have ice cream from the MD Dairy, games, prizes, and more!
Date: Wednesday, September 11th
Time: 11:30AM - 1PM
Location: Outside under the SPH Overhang, adjacent to Lots PH2
Fueling Success! One Decade at a Time
A continuation of our 10-year celebrations, please save the date and join us for coffee and mini breakfast items to fuel up for mid-term season!
Date: Tuesday, October 1st
Time: 9:30AM - 11:30AM
Location: TBD
A Decade Together with PHSC!
Please save the date and join us for a memorable time of community building and celebration. We'll reflect on the past, honor the present, and dream big for the future of public health and our program.
Date: Wednesday, October 9th
Time: 3 - 6PM
Location: Friedgen Lounge & Lobby, School of Public Health Building
Public Health Science majors are encouraged to explore career paths and graduate study through events sponsored by these campus partners:
Look for workshops, panels, fairs & networking events throughout the semester.
Save the date for these additional Fall 2024 events:
- October 4th: Careers in Helping Professionals panel
- October 17th: Virtual Federal Resume Clinic
- November 6th: SPH Career Expo
View past Industry Panel event videos (including environmental justice and allied health)
Beyond the Classroom
As a Public Health Science major, there are a number of ways you can enrich your academic experience, have fun, make friends, and build skills that employers and graduate schools seek.
See below for more ways to practice what you learn in the Public Health Science classroom.
Just one advantage of studying at a large research university is the possibility of assisting faculty in labs and on projects that contribute to the field of public health science.
School of Public Health
- SPH Student Research Opportunities
- SPH Research Centers and Laboratories
- Research for Public Health Science Major Credit
University of Maryland
Public Health Science majors are encouraged (but not required) to gain real world experience before graduation through an internship.
Learn how to get started finding an internship using resources of the University Career Center@SPH.
On the College Park campus, students can intern in health education through the University Health Center's Peer Programs. Through the Federal and Global Fellows programs, you can work on health policy in Washington, DC.
You may even be able to apply some internship credit towards your Public Health Science options requirement.
Public Health is global health. Public health related learning, service, or research abroad can be an enriching part of any student's undergraduate experience.
School of Public Health
- Study Abroad Guidance for Public Health Science majors
- Public Health Beyond Borders student organization
- SPH Global Health Experiences
- Peace Corps Prep Program
University of Maryland
- UMD Alternative Breaks
- Global Maryland undergraduate opportunities
See SPH Student Opportunities for information on the S.T.E.P., Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, and Alumni Mentoring programs.
Here are just a few ways to get involved on campus through student organizations and honor societies.
School of Public Health
- Students Engaged in Public Health (SEIPH)
- PHSC Student Ambassadors
- SPH Student Organizations and Honor Societies (College Park)
- Shady Grove Student Engagement