Improve the health of thousands of people.
Doctors might help a dozen or so patients a day. Public health professionals help thousands.
Explore how social, cultural, political, and geographical conditions play a pivotal role in health — and how understanding these factors can help us tackle smoking, obesity, infectious diseases, and other modern-day health challenges.
By drawing on skills from different disciplines, you’ll learn how to develop health policies that work and health messages that hit home. In your final year, you’ll complete a thesis, an independent study, or a community engagement placement.
With a Bachelor of Public Health degree, you’ll be equipped to make important contributions to society, whether it’s developing healthy eating campaigns for teenagers, improving social services for seniors in your community, or researching ways to control infectious diseases.
Get a master’s degree faster
Aiming for grad school? You can get a head start by applying for an accelerated master’s in your third year.
Make lasting connections
With small class sizes right from first year, you’ll create close bonds with your classmates — and your world-renowned professors.
About the Public Health program
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Public Health degree (BPH)
Co-op students earn $46,200 on average over their work terms
Offered by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Electives in your degree to explore your interests
Public Health admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required)
- Admission averages: Regular: Low 80s | Co-op: Mid-80s
- An Admission Information Form is recommended
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements
First-year Public Health courses
September to December
HLTH 101 - Introduction to Health 1
HLTH 103 - Biological Determinants of Health
AHS 107 - Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being
2 electives
January to April
AHS 150 - Foundations of Human Anatomy and Physiology
HLTH 102 - Introduction to Health 2
HLTH 245 - Canadian Health Systems
PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology
1 elective
After first year
About half of the classes you’ll take will be Health courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
HLTH 280 – Applied Public Health Ethics
HLTH 304 – Health Communication
HLTH 355 – Public Health Nutrition
HLTH 410 – Health Policy
Customize your Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor/minors as part of your degree, including Gerontology, Aging Studies, Health Informatics, or Health Research.
Gain relevant work experience through co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Co-op employers
Co-op students can work in hospitals, health centres, in government public health and social services departments, and non-profit organizations promoting health and wellness. Typical job titles include
- Health & wellness coordinator
- Rehabilitation & mental health assistant
- Community advocate
- Public health analyst
- Volunteer resources team assistant
- Health & safety student officer
- Health promotions & events assistant
Careers in Public Health
Our graduates typically pursue careers in community health centres, public health departments, social services agencies, non-profit organizations concerned with social justice and social services, and health consulting.
Further education
While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, graduates commonly pursue a master's, PhD, or other professional program in areas such as public health, epidemiology, health promotion, or social work.
Helpful links
- Visit the Public Health website
- Related programs: Health Studies, Kinesiology, Biomedical Sciences
