skip to main content

Bachelor of Science in Public Health Online

Public Health professionals bring expertise and responsibility to many areas of healthcare. WCU offers a BSPH degree that can be completed 100% online.

Request Info

10 Weeks

10-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year

39 Months

Earn your BSN in as few as 39 months at the Accelerated program pace

5 Locations

Miami, Texas, LA, Orange County, & Ontario

BSPH Program Highlights

<p>Earn your online public health degree in as few as 40 months at the accelerated program pace, 100% online</p>

Earn your online public health degree in as few as 40 months at the accelerated program pace, 100% online

<p>Flexibility of virtual classroom and mobile-friendly content, including LinkedIn Learning</p>

Flexibility of virtual classroom and mobile-friendly content, including LinkedIn Learning

<p>Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation</p>

Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation

<p>Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify</p>

Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify

Why an Online BSPH Degree?

Why an Online BSPH Degree?

In the public health field, you can make a difference for individuals and entire communities. WCU's online BSPH program is designed to help cultivate students' skills and knowledge of the public health field.

You’ll study legal, economic, ethical, and regulatory considerations that affect populations of all sizes, and work with government agencies to implement and inform public health policies.

Apply Now

Start Your Journey

  • Flexible online and campus programs
  • 58,000 alumni across the globe
  • Experienced faculty and staff

Overview: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

Program Details

At WCU, you can choose a program pace that works for your schedule. Whether you want to go full-speed in your studies or complete your program at a slower pace to balance school with your other responsibilities, we have an option for you.

Here are the available paces for the BSN program:

Accelerated Pace

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 39 Months
  • 8 Semesters

Evening & Weekend Pace*

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 44 Months
  • 9 Semesters

Working Professional Pace*

  • On-Campus
  • 120 Credits
  • 54 Months
  • 11 Semesters

*Only available at the Miami campus

Additional Information About our BSPH Degree

Study on Your Schedule

Because we understand personal goals and life circumstances vary, we offer a range of timelines to your Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree completion.

Accelerated Pace
(40 Months)

This is a program for students eager to complete their online BSPH degree with speed. Online study is designed with consideration to location and schedule, and to create flexibility for students excited to complete a degree and prepare for a new career in public health.

Working Professional Pace (80 Months)

Our syllabus is also tailored to consider more complicated schedules, so we designed a course of study to accommodate working students, parents, and caretakers.

BSPH Curriculum

Preview your course of study toward a BSPH. You can see the number of credits needed and the number of months your online BSPH degree will take (depending on whether you choose an accelerated or working professional track). We recommend reviewing your prospective curriculum in detail, so you know what to expect:

Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH)

Academic Calendar

New academic sessions begin on average, depending on programs, every eight weeks, and typically last about six trimesters on the accelerated schedule.

Academic Calendar

How Much Does The BSPH - Bachelor of Science in Public Health Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of BSPH - Bachelor of Science in Public Health tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the BSPH - Bachelor of Science in Public Health program costs at West Coast University.

We offer several BSPH - Bachelor of Science in Public Health financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Tuition and Fees 

Accelerated*

Degree Type Bachelor of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) Bachelor of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) 
Total Program Credits 120 120 
Program Length(full time) 10 trimesters 10 trimesters 
General Education Courses(per credit x 69 credits) $460 $460 
Core Courses(per credit x 51 credits) $460 $460 
Total Tuition Cost $55,200 $55,200 
STRF1 $150 $0.00 
Technology Fee2 $5,000 $5,000 
Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 $50 $50 
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $60,250 $60,250 
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) $60,400 $60,250

Working Professional*

Degree Type Bachelor of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) Bachelor of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) 
Total Program Credits 120 120 
Program Length(full time) 20 trimesters 20 trimesters 
General Education Courses(per credit x 69 credits) $460 $460 
Core Courses(per credit x 51 credits) $460 $460 
Total Tuition Cost $55,200 $55,200 
STRF1 $162.50 $0 
Technology Fee2 $10,000 $10,000 
Estimate for Program Supply Fees3 $50 $50 
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) $65,250 $65,250 
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) $65,412.50 $65,250 

 

Indirect Costs

8 Month Academic Year4    
  Prior to Fall I 2024  Starting Fall I 2024 
with parents off campus with parents off campus
Federal Student Loan Fees  $100  $100  $100  $100 
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) $2,384 $7,936 $2,496  $8,328 
Transportation $1,648 $1,648 $1,728  $1,728 
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $5,392 $5,392 $5,656  $5,656 
Total $9,524 $15,076 $9,980  $15,812 

* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course a term.

1 Effective April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

  1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
  3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

2 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.

3 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.  

The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.

Career Services & Placement

Our Career Services department provides ongoing assistance with professional and career development through workshops and guidance for our online BSPH students and graduates.

A bachelor’s degree in public health provides a strong foundation for a variety of roles in public health. Whether you want to work educating the public, advocating for better policies, or researching the spread of diseases, bachelor's degree in public health is a great first step.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, community health workers can work in a range of settings, including:

  • Government facilities
  • Individual and family services
  • Grantmaking, civic, and similar organizations
  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Outpatient care centers1

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

Outcomes for BSPH

As a BSPH student, you’ll receive instruction on both science and the ways that science is applied through government and healthcare regulation. Through the online BSPH program, you’ll gain the skills to be instrumental in delivering care and making meaningful changes in the system.

You’ll also get rigorous training in the systems and technology that have become instrumental and essential to public healthcare.

Pursue your BSN at one of the following campuses
Technologically Advanced Sim Labs

At WCU, our goal is to build both the skills and confidence required in the nursing field. Practice using high-fidelity manikins that cry, sweat, and react like real patients. Coupled with hands-on clinical experiences, our simulations give students the opportunity to master foundational skills and graduate with confidence.

Our BSN students experience a range of patient care situations from routine to emergency. During simulation sessions, each student independently practices the functions of a registered nurse. The simulation labs at West Coast University use a full range of scenarios at all levels of the core nursing program:

Experience WCU for Yourself!

Attend an info session to learn what all the buzz is about.

Get Started

We’re here to help you, from the moment you apply to beyond graduation. It all starts here.

Clinical Placements

WCU is dedicated to building long-term clinical relationships and hospital affiliations that offer students a world of options and meaningful clinical experiences.

We have coordinators of clinical relations who support students by facilitating clinical site and preceptor selection, helping streamline approvals, and assisting with compliance tracking. Our Clinical Placements team also provides coaching calls for students who need guidance on how to make their clinicals a success.

NCLEX Support

NCLEX Support

Helping BSN Students Prepare for Licensure

Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a critical milestone for all nurses. That’s why WCU helps prepare you every step of the way.

As a BSN student, you have access to:

  • One-on-one support from NCLEX advisors
  • NCLEX bootcamps
  • No-cost tutoring
  • A virtual library of educational books and videos

“WCU helped prepare us for the NCLEX by providing an adequate test environment, providing us with opportunities to take proctored tests that simulate the NCLEX and to test our nursing knowledge in those tests.”

– Stephanie P., BSN ’21*

“West Coast prepares you unlike any other school I have seen for the NCLEX.”

– Leslie G., BSN ’18*

Career Services

Providing Hands-On Career Support

WCU graduates get to enjoy support from our Career Services team.2 Starting when you’re a student, through graduation, and beyond, you’ll have access to individualized career advice, professional development workshops on topics like resume writing and interview preparation, help finding job leads, assistance connecting with industry recruiters, and more.

Potential Job Opportunities

Once you receive your licensure as a registered nurse, you will have various options to choose from for your career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse usually works with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Additionally, they may be charged with overseeing licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.

The largest employers of registered nurses (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) are:

The Career Services team can help you find job opportunities that meet your goals!

Featured Faculty

Chiarina P. Piazza, PhD, MEd, RN Dean, College of Nursing | California Program Director

Dr. Piazza has been working in the university since 2009. Her past roles included Faculty; Campus Associate Dean of Nursing, Academics; Campus Dean of Nursing; and Associate Dean, College of Nursing. Most recently, she has been appointed to the position of Dean, College of Nursing.

She has a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of San Diego, a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles.

With a commitment to community service, Dr. Piazza is a Commissioner for the Sister Cities Commission of Anaheim. And has previously served as Commissioner, Orange County Human Relations, and Board Member for the School Nurses of California Foundation.

FAQs

Will my previous coursework transfer into the program?

WCU can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit for the BSPH program. You can work directly with your advisor to see which credits can be applied to your new degree.

Will I be able to complete my degree or certificate if I am working?

All our online programs have been designed to give you the flexibility you need to earn your degree. While due dates and assignments help keep you on track, you will have the flexibility to watch lectures and complete coursework when and where it’s convenient for you. You choose whether to study in the mornings, evenings, or weekends.

How long does it take to complete a BSPH degree online?

WCU's online BSPH program is offered at two different paces. The Accelerated BSPH program pace lets you get your online BSPH degree in as few as 40 months. The Working Professional Pace lets you earn your online BSPH degree in 80 months.

What is the curriculum for the BSPH program?

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) online program requires 120 credits for completion. These include general education courses, electives, and program core and track credits.

Sample general education courses include:

  • Written communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Life and Physical Sciences

Sample BSPH electives include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Healthcare Policy and Economics
  • Healthcare Payment Systems

Sample program core and track courses include:

  • Global Perspectives in Healthcare
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Public Health Communication
What are the goals of the BSPH program?

The goals of the online BSPH program include (but are not limited to) effectively communicating public health messages, analyzing healthcare systems and policies, and applying principles of population health to identify health-related needs. The public health bachelor degree program helps develop your project planning and implementation skills.

Can I get a BSPH degree online?

With WCU, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree 100% online through our flexible online BSPH program.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify, depending on your circumstances and degree. Among the scholarships offered are the Alumni Pathway Grant (covers up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covers up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covers up to 15% of tuition).

For additional information and eligibility requirements, please visit our online scholarships and grants page on our online catalog. 

Follow the BSN Student Experience at #WestCoastUniversity

Experience WCU for Yourself!

Attend an info session to learn what all the buzz is about.

Get Started

We’re here to help you, from the moment you apply to beyond graduation. It all starts here.

1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses,” October 2022

2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, “What Registered Nurses Do,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, “Work Environment,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

*The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Additional Resources:

1 Challenge Credit

2 Transfer Credit Policy

2a Military Training or Experience

2b Credit for Previous Education or Training for Veterans

3 Military Educational Benefits