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Public Health (BS)

What is Public Health?

The Department of Public Health at Wayne State University specializes in broadly preparing undergraduate students to meet current and emergent threats to the health of vulnerable individuals, populations, and communities. As a truly interdisciplinary field, public health draws strength from the natural sciences, biostatistics, and behavioral sciences to address the social determinants of health inequalities, health care access and affordability, mental health and suicide prevention, housing and food insecurity, and many other issues.

What can I do with a Public Health Degree?

Training in public health prepares undergraduate students for a wide range of careers. We work to solve hunger, chronic and infectious diseases, improve mental health and end violence. Public health professionals work in government agencies, hospitals, health systems, non-profit organizations and as business leaders, lawyers, policymakers and entrepreneurs. Students learn to ask probing questions, collect and analyze data and propose novel solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. If you’re looking to improve health, eliminate disease, solve problems and lift communities, an undergraduate degree in public health is a great choice.

Henry Ford College Associate Degree Options

Recommended degree program: Public Health (AS)

 Henry Ford College

Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Satisfies Wayne State University's General Education Requirements

Goal/Area of study Henry Ford College Course Credits WSU Equivalent
English Composition ENG 131 Intro to College Writing (or ENG 132H) 3 ENG 1020
  ENG 132 College Writing & Research 3 ENG 3010
Mathematics MATH 141 Intro to Statistics    4 STA 1020
Social Science See MTA; approved Social Science 3-4 See HFC advisor
  See MTA; approved Social Science 4-5 See HFC advisor
Fine Arts/Humanities *ARA, FRE, GER, or SPN 131 4 1 of 2 foreign language
  SPC 131 is recommended for Public Health 3 COM 1010
Natural Science  See MTA; approved Natural Science  3 See HFC advisor
  See MTA; approved Natural Science with lab 4 See HFC advisor
Public Health Pathway Courses AH 141 Intro to Public Health   3 PH 2100
  *ARA, FRE, GER, or SPN 132 4 2 of 2 foreign language
  Total Credits 37-39  

*All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the two-course sequence in a single foreign language. Proficiency is demonstrated by completing courses numbered 1010 and 1020 in one of the following subject area codes: ARB, ARM, CHI, FRE, GER, GKA, GKM, HEB, ITA, JPN, LAT, POL, RUS, SPA, SWA, and UKR.

Transfer Credit Summary Credits
Pathway and Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) 37-39
Associate degree requirements and additional electives *
-See advisor for course recommendations based on associate degree requirements, educational interests, and career goals.
23-33
Total Transfer Credits 60-70

Notes:

  • The range of credit hours (Associate degree requirements and additional electives) allows for earning credentials, such as certificates, or additional transfer credit while completing an associate degree. Some course(s) not included in the pathway may satisfy Wayne State requirements. 
  • The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), Associate in Arts (AA), or Associate in Science (AS) satisfies Wayne State’s University General Education requirements.
  • Any courses not completed can be taken at WSU. 
  • All courses and equivalencies based on catalog year 2024-2025

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health Credit Hours
PH 3000 Public Health Administration  3
PH 3100 Social and Behavioral: Public Health 3
PH 3200 Introduction to Biostatistics  3
PH 3300 Epidemiology  3
PH 3500 Environmental Health 3
PH electives (see WSU advisor) 9

Choose one (1) of the following Methods courses: 

  • PH 4400 Quantitative Methods in Public Health
  • PH 4500 Qualitative Methods in Community Public Health
 3

Choose one (1) of the following Culminating courses:

  • PH 5100 Public Health Capstone
  • PH 5150 Public Health Practicum 
 3

Choose one (1) of the following concentrations:

  • Advocacy and Practice (PH 3450 and 3700)
  • Research and Evaluation (PH 4650 and 4400 or 4500)
  • Interprofessional (PH 3800 and 4250)
 6
Minor - may be taken in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or any other WSU school or college. See WSU advisor. 18-24
Total Credits 54-60
Wayne State credit summary Credit

Major and minor

 54-60

Electives or additional degree enhancements

 0-6
TOTAL WAYNE STATE CREDITS 54-60 min.
TOTAL WAYNE STATE and TRANSFER CREDITS 120 min. 

Primary contacts

Henry Ford College
Academic Advising
313-317-6845 | advising@hfcc.edu    

Transfer Student Success Center 
313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
Public Health Department
Academic Advising                                                  

Notes

  • You can review how all courses transfer using the course equivalency tool. For a self-service, customized WSU degree audit, please visit https://wayne.edu/transfer/tess
  • Wayne State requires a minimum of 30 credits in residency.
  • The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).  See transfer credit guidelines. 
  • All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at the community college will need to be taken at WSU. 
  • The pathway was signed on December 12, 2022. 
  • These pathways do not replace the importance of academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.