Preparing for Public Health Practice at DESU
Delaware State University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in Public Health Degree Programs.
At the John R. Price Building, the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences provides a Public Health BS that teaches Delaware State University Hornets how to effectively solve 21st-century community health crises for 93 percent job placement success. Chaired by Dr. R. Christopher Mason, the 122-credit, MSCHE-accredited curriculum was updated in Fall 2016 to include Dover courses like Health Disparities, Environmental Health, and Infectious Diseases plus CPR certification. Undergrads must complete 12 practicum credits at field sites, such as Nemours Children’s Health, Christiana Care, Wilmington Hospital, and the Delaware Division of Public Health, before the capstone project. Majors might also conduct Exercise Physiology Lab research, join Phi Epsilon Kappa, participate in Public Health & Fitness Leaders’ Day, study abroad from China to Croatia, and volunteer with the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps.
About Delaware State University
Delaware State University originated on May 15, 1891, when the General Assembly used Morrill Land-Grant Act funds to open the Delaware College for Colored Students. In 1893, it became State College for Colored Students to distinguish itself from Delaware College. In May 1898, the first bachelor’s degrees were awarded for agricultural and scientific disciplines. In 1911, the Bachelor of Pedagogy was added to train African-American teachers. In 1923, the Junior College Division was launched for two-year associate degrees. Regionally accredited in 1944, it was renamed Delaware State College three years later. In 1971, its Loockerman Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Delaware State University name was adopted by Governor Thomas Carper on July 1, 1993. In 2012, DESU was named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. In 2015, Delaware State became the first HBCU to implement a tobacco-free rule.
Endowed for $30.9 million, Delaware State University now employs 257 full-time and 130 part-time faculty teaching 4,586 Hornets from 34 countries online, on its 356-acre Dover campus, or at two regional centers with 50+ clubs like the Student Ambassadors Association for 72 percent retention. In 2017, Delaware State won the ACAS Health Leadership Award. In 2018, DESU received a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Grant. Delaware State University had the 2019 AIJ Holly Skolnick Human Rights Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked DESU the 13th best historically Black college and 96th top social mobility performer. On Niche, DESU boasts America’s 159th most diversity and 209th best Greek life. Washington Monthly crowned Delaware State University the 303rd top master’s institution. Times Higher Education featured DESU in its top 501-600 universities overall.
Delaware State University Accreditation Details
On November 16, 2017, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accepted the Periodic Review Report from Delaware State University to continue the Level VI accreditation status through its next 2021-22 evaluation under President Tony Allen, Ph.D., who earned the Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic Civic Leadership Award. Located 79 miles up Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, this elite eight-territory East Coast accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to review DESU’s 70 baccalaureate, 16 master’s, and five doctoral degrees. Please note the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences isn’t currently accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) though.
Delaware State University Application Requirements
Enrollment at Delaware State University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 3,138 of the 5,533 Fall 2018 applicants were triumphant for 57 percent acceptance. First-year Hornets swarming the Public Health BS program must graduate from accredited senior high schools. At least 19 college-prep credits, including four in English and three in math, are required. Non-graduates who’ve passed the GED test must earn 12+ college credits for consideration. Cumulative GPAs of 2.0 and better on the four-point scale are mandated. Freshmen need a minimum 800 SAT or 17 ACT score. The Class of 2022 reported an average 3.09 GPA, 990 SAT, and 20 ACT mark. The Honors Program seeks a GPA above 3.25 and 1050 SAT or 22 ACT score. The Early Bird Program also necessitates a minimum 2.5 GPA. Undergrads can transfer up to 90 non-remedial, accredited credits graded C or higher from the last 10 years. International students must achieve at least 550 TOEFL pBT or 6.5 IELTS scores.
Delaware State University conveniently has a rolling admission process. Final undergrad deadlines are July 1st for Fall and January 1st for Spring. Priority dates for non-U.S. residents are February 1st and November 1st. The Early Bird Program closes on July 1st and December 1st. Intent-to-Enroll forms for the DTCC Dual Admission option are due January 31st. For financial aid consideration, FAFSA forms must be filed between January 1st and March 15th. Accordingly, complete the DESU Application online with a $35 non-refundable fee. Mail official transcripts to 1200 North DuPont Highway in Dover, DE 19901. Attach extra materials, such as the standardized tests, 400-word typed essay, list of extracurricular achievements, 1-2 academic recommendations, and I-20 form. Contact (302) 857-6351 or admissions@desu.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Delaware State University is billing in-state Public Health BS majors $4,129 per semester or $8,258 annually. Non-resident undergrads pay $8,647 by term or $17,294 each year. Studying part-time incurs $293 to $670 per credit. Summer courses are discounted to $182 and $430 per credit. Bachelor’s students cover the $55 activity fee, $100 technology fee, and $50 registration fee. Student health insurance costs $754 yearly. Living at the Dover campus dorms like Warren-Franklin Hall adds $7,490 for housing rent. Traditional 19-meal plans for MLK Jr. Student Center are $4,494 extra. DESU budgets $1,900 for textbooks and $2,219 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals $23,420 in-state and $32,456 out-of-state. Commuters can expect spending $15,232 to $24,268 per year.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at the Student Services Building helps 99 percent of new full-time DESU Hornets receive tuition assistance averaging $10,256 each for $9.12 million combined. Institutional funds include the Elissa Walker Memorial Scholarship, Arnold & Peggy Swygert Scholarship, Laverne Mosley Memorial Scholarship, Andrew Saxton Memorial Scholarship, Frederick Franklin Endowed Scholarship, Hach Scientific Foundation Scholarship, Lillian Mayo Spencer Scholarship, Edwin Burke Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Norman Dill Scholarship, John Bernard Memorial Scholarship, Rev. Williams Endowed Scholarship, and Luna Mishoe Scholarship. The Inspire Scholarship helps Delaware high school grads with minimum 2.75 GPAs and 10 hours of community service. The Platinum Scholarship gifts $15,000 annually to out-of-state residents with U.S. citizenship who enroll for 12+ credits. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001428. Delawareans may also pursue the Governor’s Education Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Jill Biden Scholarship, Charles Hebner Scholarship, Herman Holloway Sr. Scholarship, and others.
Learn more about Delaware State University at the Department of Public & Allied Health Sciences website.