Public Health

Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago offers a comprehensive and dynamic educational experience designed to prepare students for impactful careers in health promotion, disease prevention, and health policy. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating coursework across epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and community health practices. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through rigorous classroom instruction, hands-on research, and community engagement projects. The curriculum is designed to address current public health challenges such as infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, health disparities, environmental hazards, and global health issues. Students have opportunities to specialize in areas like epidemiology, health policy, maternal and child health, or environmental health, tailoring their education to their career goals. The program also fosters critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication skills essential for leadership roles in public health organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions. With access to state-of-the-art laboratories, public health clinics, and collaborative partnerships with local health departments, students gain invaluable real-world experience. The department is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging students from varied backgrounds to contribute unique perspectives to the field. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to design, implement, and evaluate public health initiatives that improve community health outcomes and promote health equity locally and globally. The program prepares students for professional certifications and advanced study, including PhD and MPH degrees, supporting lifelong careers dedicated to advancing public health and well-being.

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate; 98 from the baccalaureate for the Cancer Epidemiology concentration. Students in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Concentration may be required to take 114 to 116 hours, depending on prior course work taken.
• Course Work At least 9 hours must be in 500-level didactic courses in the student’s major area. If a collateral area is required by the major, at least 6 hours must be in the collateral area at the 500-level.

• Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one course recommended by the Director of Graduate Studies which provides a broad introduction to public health.
• Remaining courses and their distribution depend on the student’s area of concentration. PhD students are admitted into one of the following primary concentrations: Biostatistics, Community Health Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Epidemiology, or Health Policy and Administration.

Biostatistics Concentration Requirements

Community Health Sciences Concentration Requirements

• PhD students in Community Health Sciences must complete all of the SPH requirements for the PhD degree. Students must select 12 hours for their concentration. The student will be tested in the concentration area as part of the preliminary examination. Additional compensatory courses are required if the equivalent course work was not completed at the master’s degree level. These compensatory courses are: EPID 403, CHSC 446, BSTT 400, BSTT 401, CHSC 400, and CHSC 480 or their equivalent. Advisor approval is necessary for elective course selection. PhD students pursuing a program in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology have additional requirements.

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Concentration Requirements

• PhD students concentrating in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences must complete all of the SPH requirements for the PhD degree.
• The EOHS concentration requires that PhD students complete EOHS 595 (registering for four semesters/one hour each semester) and one graduate-level course in qualitative or quantitative methods chosen in consultation with their advisor.
• In addition, students must complete the division core, choosing at least one course in each of the following three areas:

1. Exposure Assessment
2. Health Assessment
3. Risk Assessment and Policy

• Students should see their advisor for a list of courses in each area.

Epidemiology Concentration Requirements

Health Policy and Administration Concentration Requirements

• PhD students in Health Policy and Administration must complete all of the SPH requirements for the PhD degree. No additional course requirements are specified. In addition, a minimum of 21 hours of course work relevant to the disciplinary area of Health Policy and Administration is taken in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Additional Course Requirements for Those Pursuing a Secondary Concentration

Cancer Epidemiology Concentration Requirements (Epidemiology (EPID) students only)

Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Concentration Requirements (Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS) and Epidemiology (EPID) students only)

• Dissertation Required. Students must register in IPHS 599 for at least 32 semester hours.
• Other Requirements Students must obtain supervised experience in classroom teaching in at least one course for at least part of a semester.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate Field A major in the biological, physical, or social sciences is preferred. Students applying to the primary concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health must have completed a full year of general chemistry, at least one semester of organic chemistry, and two semesters of  calculus; one course in human physiology is also required for those interested in a secondary concentration in the ASAC-ABET Accredited MS Program in Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, and Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology. Those interested in the ASAC-ABET Accredited MS Program in Industrial Hygiene must meet the criteria listed above. In addition, applicants should have a prior degree  in the physical/life sciences or engineering fields with course work in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics. Relevant work experience or significant physical or life science or engineering course work may be considered for applicants with undergraduate degrees in other, nonscience fields.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00.
• Tests Required GRE General. For GRE General tests, combined verbal and quantitative scores must be at least 300 (GRE tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three required.
• Personal Statement Required; the statement should address the applicant’s intended research, career goals, and reason for pursuing the PhD degree in the chosen area.
• Other Requirements: Applicants may submit their master’s thesis as evidence of their ability to plan and complete significant health-related research.

Scholarships

• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships 
• Graduate assistantships
• Global Education
• SPH-Wide Student Scholarships and Awards
• Hamilton Research Scholarship

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago is designed to prepare students for diverse careers in the health sector by providing a comprehensive understanding of public health principles, policies, and practices. This program emphasizes the development of analytical skills, cultural competence, and a broad understanding of the social determinants of health. Students gain knowledge in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences. The curriculum includes core courses that introduce foundational concepts, laboratory and fieldwork experiences, and opportunities for internships and research projects. The program aims to equip students with the skills necessary to address complex health issues such as infectious diseases, chronic conditions, health disparities, and access to healthcare. Graduates are prepared for employment in government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare systems, and research institutions, or to pursue further education in graduate or professional schools. The program benefits from the university's strong connections to the healthcare community in Chicago, offering students access to internships, community projects, and collaborations with public health organizations. The faculty comprises experienced professionals and researchers dedicated to public health education, with opportunities for students to participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences. The program is designed to foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to improving community health outcomes. Overall, the Bachelor of Science in Public Health at UIC provides a rigorous and applied education, preparing students to become public health leaders and advocates dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of populations locally, nationally, and globally.