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2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog
Public Health, BA
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 Return to: Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
The bachelor of arts (BA) degree in public health is designed to educate undergraduates interested in public health and/or health profession training in the broad basic concepts of public health education, practice, and research. The primary focus of public health is to improve health and quality of life through population-based prevention and treatment of disease and other physical and mental health conditions, through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors.
Admissions: Freshman=Open/Transfer=Min. Criteria
Process: Declaration
Min. Total Credits: 120 (82 in core & major + 38 in electives)
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UHM General Education Core Requirements
Written Communication (FW)
(3 credits) Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)
Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor. Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)
(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits) - Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
- Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
- Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times
Diversification
* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these. Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)
(6 credits from 2 categories) - Arts (DA*)
- Humanities (DH*)
- Literatures (DL*)
Natural Sciences
- Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
- Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit)
UHM Graduation Requirements
Focus
**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.” Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)
(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level) Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)
(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level) Oral Communication (O)
(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level) Writing Intensive (W)
(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level) Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)
Public Health students must complete one of the following options to satisfy the Hawaiian/Second language requirement: - A four-semester sequence of a single language (or proven competency via a language requirement waiver or completion of 202/212);
- 12 credits of international culture/area courses, from one culture of study, to be chosen from an approved list of H/SL courses;
- Four semesters of language and culture study. The language and culture groups do not need to match;
- Participation in a study abroad or international exchange program of 12 credits or more during the fall, spring or summer.
Credit Minimums
- 120 total applicable
- 30 UH Mānoa credits
- 45 upper division (300+ level) credits
Grade Point Average
- 2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required)
- Good academic standing
Related Degree Requirements
Capstone Experience
The Public Health Capstone Experience is an integrative three-course series that provides students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned during their time in the public health major and in college toward a personalized project experience. Students are required to attend a mandatory advising session to receive instructor override prior to registering for PH 480 . Required capstone courses include: Transfer Admission from a different UHM major
All students requesting to change their major to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health from other departments must first complete PH 201 - Introduction to Public Health with a B- or better before declaration. Concurrent Degree Admission
Requirements for admission into the Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health program as a concurrent degree includes completion of PH 201 - Introduction to Public Health with a B- or better, and approval from the current advisor. Note
This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor. Major Requirements for BA in Public Health
- Admission: Freshmen/Transfer = Open; From a different UHM major = Completion of PH 201 with a B- or better.
- Application: NA
- Min. major credits: 43 major credits (46 credits with related degree requirements)
- Min. C grade (not C-) in all courses, Min. B- or better in PH 201
Related Degree Requirements (3 credits)
Public Health Major Core Courses (31 credits)
Public Health Major Elective Courses (12 credits)
Since public health is by nature interdisciplinary, students will be encouraged to take electives in areas outside of the department. Elective courses may be from related disciplines with prior approval of the Public Health Undergraduate Advisor. - PH 300+ or approved elective
- PH 300+ or approved elective
- PH 300+ or approved elective
- PH 300+ or approved elective
Credit Restriction for Major
Maximum of 3 credits in PH 499 can apply towards PH 300+ requirements. Notes
Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health; Department of Public Health Sciences; 1960 East-West Road, Biomed D204; Honolulu, HI 96822; pubhlth@hawaii.edu; manoa.hawaii.edu/publichealth
Department of Public Health Sciences Student Academic Services; (808) 956-8267; Fax: (808) 956-3368
Department of Public Health Sciences; (808) 956-8577; Fax: (808) 956-5818
Public Health Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Bailey Holly, MEd; Biomed D204; (808) 956-5753; phadvise@hawaii.edu 4-Year Plan
This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan. Spring
- PH Elective 300+ Credits: 3
- PH Elective 300+ Credits: 3
- HSL 202 Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits 120
Students must incorporate all focus requirements into this plan. Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific.
Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required.
Recommended DB courses - BIOL 101 , BIOL 171 , BIOL 172 , PHYL 103 , PHYL 141 , FSHN 185 . |
Return to: Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
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