Southern New Hampshire University Public Health Degree Program(s) Available
Southern New Hampshire University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Bachelor’s in Public Health Degree Programs.
There are many different career options for those with a degree in public health. Epidemiologists and biostatisticians often have degrees in public health as do health educators, health policy makers, environmentalists and more. Southern New Hampshire University offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Health program designed to prepare individuals for this growing field.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health provides students with the skills to develop and present wellness programs in local communities as well as methods for fighting infectious diseases around the world. Students learn how to develop cleaner air initiatives, expand access to healthy nutrition, examine the effects of unhealthy lifestyle choices and build emergency preparedness plans. They gain an understanding of applying public health strategies to improve health and to identify health disparities while promoting social justice. The program is aligned with the competencies of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. The program is available completely online and courses required may include:
- Biological Concepts for Public Health
- Ethical and Legal Considerations of Healthcare
- Evaluation Methods in Public Health
- Fundamentals of Public Health
- Healthcare Delivery Systems
- Population Health and Cultural Competence
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Programming and Planning in Public Health
- Research and Assessment in Public Health
- Social and Behavioral Health
- Statistics for Healthcare Professionals
A capstone planning course is also required along with general education courses. Students may also earn credit for their work or life experiences.
About Southern New Hampshire University
The New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School opened in 1930 with the goal to train bookkeepers. It was a private school which allowed students to attend on Monday evenings so that they could work during the day. Unlike other schools of higher learning during that time, Southern New Hampshire University also allowed students to pay tuition in installment plans, making it easier for them to pay for classes. In 1956, the school became the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Finance.
Enrollment grew slowly until World War II when soldiers returning from the war took advantage of the GI Bill in order to learn typing and clerical skills in order to find work. Classes were added at the Manchester Military Base, offering a military secretarial studies program, the first of its kind in the United States. In 1944, a vocational program was added, designed to assist disabled soldiers who were unable to return to the jobs they held before the war due to the injuries they sustained.
The school was renamed New Hampshire School of Accounting and Commerce in 1948, continuing to focus on educating veterans. Classes were offered in the evening as many veterans were older and held jobs during the day. Many were also married and had families, leading to additional family and social obligations that made it difficult for them to attend traditional classes. The name of the school changed again in 1958 to the New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce. In 1969, it became New Hampshire College.
In 1971, the college moved to a new campus and online courses were added in 1995. The new online programs led to rapid growth in enrollment. In 2001, the school gained university status and was renamed Southern New Hampshire University. Today, there are more than 3,000 on campus and 90,000 online students attending SNHU. The school has expanded from an accounting and secretarial science school to one that offers a wide range of degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level.
US News & World Report named SNHU the most Innovative University in the North as well as one of the nation’s best regional universities. The United Distance Learning Association awarded the school with the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology and it was named a great college to work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Southern New Hampshire University Accreditation Details
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Accreditation is an important factor when considering colleges and universities. Regional accreditation is the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation. Each agency reviews institutions in their own geographic area. This means that Southern New Hampshire University undergoes periodic peer review to confirm that all programs offered continue to meet or exceed criteria developed by the Association that demonstrate excellence in education. Any areas identified as needing improvement are addressed as quickly as possible. Programs at the university are accredited by the industry-specific associations and commissions listed here.
- Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Southern New Hampshire University Application Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health must submit official high school transcripts as well as transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. SAT or ACT score are not required. Once an application is submitted, applicants will discuss the next steps with a counselor and acceptance is usually received within a few days. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year. One of the missions of SNHU is to remove barriers to college attendance which means they do not require test scores and there are no GPA requirements.
Southern New Hampshire University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Bachelor of Arts in Public Health is $320 per credit hour.
All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although there are no minimum GPA requirements at SNHU, higher GPAs may make students eligible for certain scholarships. Other forms of financial aid include grants and loans. Students attending on campus may also be eligible for work-study programs.
Southern New Hampshire University has focused on adult learners and the military almost since it began. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Public health that is completely online, allowing working adults to achieve their higher education goals. Southern New Hampshire University expands the boundaries of higher education by ensuring students are keeping pace with new technologies, providing unparalleled support and an exceptional student experience in order to help them achieve their higher education goals.