Program Overview
Do you want to make a difference in the health and well-being of the community? Pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Population Health (BSPH) from the University of New Mexico College of Population Health is a great first step. With this unique degree, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to promote community wellness through prevention, understanding and shaping healthcare policies, and more.
You will build health equity skills in leadership, research, and innovation. In our programs, you will gain hands-on experiences to learn how to become a change agent for health systems, community systems, and community policies.
At the University of New Mexico College of Population Health, supportive faculty will help you launch a fulfilling career that impacts humanity nationwide. To achieve a healthier, safer community, we need people who are ready to affect change in the systems that impact health and well-being for all. With an undergraduate degree in Population Health from the University of New Mexico, you'll be ready to step onto the front lines, improving health outcomes and access in diverse and underserved populations.
Choose a BSPH degree from UNM if you:
- Value diversity, self-reflection, and critical analysis
- Have a passion for affecting change in your community
- Desire to improve health equity, making healthcare fair and accessible to all
Learning Goals
In this degree, you’ll develop expertise to:
- Learn about societal, behavioral, biological, and organizational causes of health and disease
- Explore ways to reduce health disparities
- Examine policies, health systems, and population health practices that can curb health risks
- Work with practitioners and scientists from different backgrounds
- Learn critical thinking, data analysis, and research skills
- Gain collaboration and leadership skills
Admissions
Tuition and Fees
Regular UNM tuition and fees apply
Admissions Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Population Health degree offers all of the courses associated with the major requirements needed to complete the BA in an online format. To qualify for admission to the program, students must have already completed a majority of the UNM General Education requirements, as well as college and minor requirements.
Until they satisfy prerequisites and meet department conditions, students will be considered in ‘pre-major’ status. The following are the general requirements for transition to BSPH major status:
- A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation
- A UNM GPA of 2.0 or better
- Demonstrated academic achievement by satisfying the completion of the following University General Education areas:
- Communication
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Second Language
- Completion of introductory coursework specified by each department. See the department section of the catalog for details.
Prior to admission to the BSPH program, students are required to take the following courses:
- PH101: Introduction to Population Health
- PH102: Global Health Challenges.
Speak with a Population Health advisor to plan your required pre-requisite courses and your admission to the program.
Degree Requirements
To earn an undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico, the following requirements must be met:
- A minimum of 30 hours of coursework completed at UNM (UNM Residency Requirement)
- 50% of the Major must be completed at UNM
- 25% of the Minor must be completed at UNM
The B.S. in Population Health is granted to students upon fulfillment of 120 credit hours of coursework of the prescribed curriculum and requirements, which includes the completion of General Education curriculum. Information on courses that meet the General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements can be found in the Student Information & Policies/Undergraduate Program section of the UNM Course Catalog. Students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.00.
Students must complete at least 42 credit hours of upper-division coursework. Such courses are numbered 300 or above.
| Graduation Requirements (Minimum of 120 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
| General Education Requirements | 31 |
| BSPH Core Requirements (see below) | 48 |
| Minor or 2nd Major Course Requirements | 12-18 |
| Electives | 23-29 |
BSPH Required Courses (48 Credit Hours)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| PH 101 | Intro to Population Health (Required for admission to program.) | 3 |
| PH 102 | Fundamentals of One Health(Required for admission to program.) | 3 |
| PH 201 | Population Health Biology | 3 |
| PH 221 | Intro to Social, Cultural, Behavioral Theory | 3 |
| PH 230 | Intro to Environmental and Occupational Health | 3 |
| PH 240 | Health Systems, Services, and Policies | 3 |
| PH 241 | Fundamentals of Health Care Finance | 3 |
| PH 310 | Population Health Research Methods | 3 |
| PH 311 | Essentials of Epidemiology: The Language of Population Health | 3 |
| PH 350 | Health Data Systems | 3 |
| PH 360 | Population Health Management | 3 |
| PH 420 | Population Health Evidenced-Based Practices | 3 |
| PH 421 | Assessment and Planning | 3 |
| PH 422 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PH 475 | Population Health Capstone | 6 |
Areas of Focus or Minor (12-18 Credit Hours)
Areas of focus or minor study total credit hours may vary from 12-18 depending on the selected topic. Examples of such areas of focus include:
- Biostatistics
- Built Environment
- Community Health Education
- Disaster Medicine
- Environmental Health
- Exercise Science
- Health Economics
- Health Information Systems
- Health Policy
- Nutrition.
Electives (23-29 Credit Hours)
Electives provide students with the flexibility to explore courses. Elective credit hours will be adjusted to meet the total credit hours to complete the degree. Discuss elective options with the Population Health academic advisor.
