Public Health (BS, Complete Degree)
Program Requirements
The suggested sequence for core courses is:
First Year
Sophomore Year
Core Requirements
Junior Year
| COMM 312 | Health Communications | 4 |
| PH 201 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 4 |
| PH 345 | Health Systems & Policy | 4 |
| SOCI 239 | Introduction to Social Research I | 4 |
Senior Year
Other capstone coursework (see below)
Capstone Requirement
Public Health seniors will complete their capstone requirement by taking the Public Health Senior Seminar (PH 347) in the fall semester, plus will undertake a one-semester senior internship in the spring semester, a one-semester research experience in the spring semester, or a two-semester thesis across the entire senior year. All students will make a poster presentation and submit an internship paper, research paper, or research thesis as the final products of their capstone experience.
Arrangements for satisfying the capstone requirement must be made with the student’s public health advisor before the end of the junior year.
For students doing internships (Spring)
For students doing independent research (Spring)
For students completing a thesis
Elective Courses
Students must complete two additional courses from this list (PH 261 recommended):
● Note: potential to accept credits from outside universities for elective courses
● Note: Transfer office does not review for electives Note: Transfer office does not review for electives
Additional Graduate Study Opportunities
The Public Health Department offers two BS/MPH programs that allow undergraduate Public Health majors to fast track their career in public health by completing Simmons’ Master of Public Health in Health Equity. The 3+1 BS/MPH Program allows students to complete both degrees within four academic years; students may apply to this program prior to matriculating at Simmons University or by May 15th of their second year of undergraduate studies through careful advising during their first year at Simmons. The Early Admission BS/MPH Program allows students to complete two MPH courses during their fourth year at Simmons, whereby students apply to the MPH Program during their third year. In addition to Simmons' BS/MPH Programs, the Public Health Department has matriculation agreements in place for Masters Programs in Public Health with Boston University School of Public Health (Select Scholars Program) and The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Interested students should discuss these options with the Public Health Bachelor's Director in the fall of their junior year.
Other
Students will be encouraged to attend open lectures on Public Health in Boston. Courses at Simmons will integrate guest speakers from the pool of expertise in the area. Students are encouraged to obtain applied work experience in addition to the required academic senior capstone requirements, through volunteering, part-time jobs, or additional internships.