Key Information:
- American Public University and University of Missouri are two top schools for a fast online public health bachelor’s degree.
- Accelerated public health degrees offer flexibility, allowing completion in a shorter time than traditional programs.
- Online public health bachelor’s programs often cater to working professionals, providing practical skills and career advancement opportunities.
- Top programs are accredited and offer various specializations, such as epidemiology, health policy, and community health.
An accelerated Public Health Bachelor’s degree program basically speeds up the education process and allows you to earn your degree much faster. You spend less time in the classroom and more time developing your career. The ultimate goal of enrolling in an Accelerated Public Health Bachelor’s degree program is to ensure you are able to move forward in your career at a faster pace. You will be able to take on more responsibility and accept new challenges much sooner than if you had enrolled in a traditional public health degree program.
An accelerated Public Health Bachelor’s degree program takes everything you would learn in a traditional degree program and condenses it down into fewer lessons. This can take a 24-month degree program and reduce it to 18-months or a 36-month program down to a 24-month program. Condensing lesson plans makes it easier to learn since many similar lessons are presented together. With an accelerated degree program, you are able to focus on larger concepts at one time instead of having them broken down into several parts.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated Public Health Degree Programs
Bachelor’s Degree Center believes in higher education to make an impact on the lives of working adults, and accredited accelerated online programs are a great tool to do it. The program ranking here is based on factors including tuition cost, reputation, and potential salary, using data from IPEDS and Niche.
1. American Public University
American Public University has an accelerated public health degree that students can complete online. The program culminates in a BS in public health degree and students can transfer up to 82% of credits to this program. This baccalaureate degree is topped by experienced faculty members, including public health officials and first responders. Students interested in community education, community health, occupational health and safety, and nutrition may enjoy this program.
APUS is a small institution with 2,400 undergraduate students. This for-profit university accepts all students who apply. There are many majors to choose from including homeland security and disaster management, and business.
What We Like: American Public University is ranked fourth among West Virginia’s best value colleges.
Degree: BS in Public Health
American Public University BS in Public Health
2. University of Missouri
The accelerated public health degree at the University of Michigan enables students to transfer up to 60 credits. Graduates receive a BS in public health degree, and this program helps students pursue career objectives in health care. Graduates can also enter the workforce for the first time in fields such as epidemiology, health education and environmental health. Learners interested in protecting the rights of patience and becoming community advocates may find this degree fulfilling.
As a well-ranked public university, Mizzou attracts a diverse student body. The school is located in Columbia, Missouri and has 21,000 undergraduate students. It accepts more than four out of five students who apply and graduates a respectable 71% of students. Majors include health service preparatory studies.
What We Like: The University of Missouri is the top public school in the state and ranks highly in areas such as value and diversity.
Degree: BS Public Health
University of Michigan BS Public Health
3. National University
The accelerated public health degree at National University is offered fully online and designed to help students finish their degree quickly. Graduates become entry-level public health workers and pursue careers in government agencies, community-based programs and educational organizations. Upon graduation, students qualified to take the Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) exam. Some students go on to pursue a master’s degree in public health or a related field.
National University is a well-respected school based in San Diego, CA. It has just 2,900 undergraduate students and accepts most students who apply. Students can choose from a wide array of majors that suit their interests and some of the most popular majors are nursing and liberal arts and humanities.
What We Like: The school accepts 80% of those who apply and 82% of surveyed students report high class availability.
Degree: BS Public Health
National University BS Public Health
4. Allen College
Allen College offers an online accelerated public health degree that results in a public health leadership baccalaureate degree. This public health program aims to produce leaders who perform well in health care settings. Students can go on to advanced studies in occupational therapy, public health and health science. The online format of the program gives students the flexibility to choose their learning environment and timing.
Allen College is situated in Waterloo, Iowa. This boutique private college and rules just over 300 undergraduate students. Despite its small size, the school has a competitive admissions process and admits just half of those who apply. It offers terminal degrees such as medical laboratory technician, nursing and radiologic technician. The school graduates an extraordinary 100% of students.
What We Like: Every student at Allen College receives some form of financial assistance.
Degree: BS in Public Health Leadership
Allen College BS in Public Health Leadership
5. Excelsior College
Excelsior College allows students to transfer 113 credits to its online accelerated public health degree. This generous transfer policy gives students an opportunity to transfer late in their college careers if they don’t like their current school. The fully online nature of this bachelor’s in public health provides extreme flexibility for students who work and have family obligations. Students learn how to become successful employees at hospitals, public health agencies, medical service agencies and long-term care facilities, among other organizations.
Excelsior has a generous acceptance rate of 100%. This means that every student who wants to try their hand at higher education has the opportunity to do so. Popular majors include nursing, liberal arts and humanities and business.
What We Like: Of those survey, 82% of students are able to find classes they need and want.
Degree: BS Public Health
Excelsior College BS Public Health
6. University of West Florida
Students looking for a generous transfer policy can consider the University of West Florida’s accelerated public health degree. The school accepts up to 90 transfer credits and its curriculum Covers the fundamentals of public health practice and policy. Students also learn about the history of public health and receive a well-rounded education.
The University of West Florida aims to produce graduates who are able to obtain entry-level jobs in their fields or advance in their current careers. Some students go on to pursue master’s‑level degrees in public health. UWF is ranked second on Best Colleges’ list of health science programs.
What We Like: West Florida is among Florida’s top public schools. The online nature of the program allows students to pursue their careers while finishing their education. This is great news for students with family and financial obligations that prevent them from attending on-campus courses.
Degree: BS Health Sciences-Public Health
University of West Florida BS Health Sciences-Public Health
7. California Baptist University
Students can complete California Baptist University’s online BS in Public Health in 16 months with this accelerated public health degree. This baccalaureate degree in public health prepares students to begin their public health careers and focuses on innovative and ethical leadership development. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of public health practice topics including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, behavioral science and related coursework.
California Baptist University is a Christian school with a curriculum that reflects traditional values. Students who want to attend a school with a Christ-based curriculum may like this university. The school aims to produce graduates who take their Christian values into the workplace and serve others.
What We Like: California Baptist University has a great reputation and ranks #15 among the countries best online schools.
Degree: BS Public Health
California Baptist University BS in Public Health
8. Walden University
Walden University has an accelerated public health degree that accepts up to 135 transfer credits. This generous transfer credit policy may attract students who want to finish their degree but no longer wish to attend their current school. Graduates receive a BS in public health and emerge with the skills they need to help create a healthier world. This degree helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in community wellness and health equity careers. The curriculum aligns with what hiring professionals are looking for in healthcare workers. Students who wish to take their CHES exam emerge from this program ready to do so.
Walden University offers fully online programs to 800 undergraduate students. It accepts everyone who applies, giving many students an opportunity to pursue higher education, even if they didn’t do well on standardized tests. Majors include business, nursing and psychology.
What We Like: Every student who comes to Walden University qualifies for some kind of financial aid. This may make the school more appealing for students who rely on financial aid to pay for their education.
Degree: BS Public Health
Walden University BS Public Health
9. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University has an accelerated public health degree that accepts up to 90 transfer credits. This fully online program culminates in a bachelor’s of science in public health. Students learn to develop wellness programs for public agencies and study how to create public policy for outbreaks of disease.
Southern New Hampshire University has 3,000 students in its on-campus program. However, its online program has nearly 80,000 online students. SNHU is one of the fastest-growing schools in the country and offers myriad agrees to its student body. This well-respected school ranks highly on several college ranking scales.
What We Like: Southern New Hampshire University ranks fifth among the state’s best colleges. This ranking provides students with clout and name recognition when they apply for graduate schools or look for entry-level jobs.
Degree: BS Public Health
Southern New Hampshire University BS Public Health
10. Trident International University
Trident International University has an accelerated public health degree that students can complete online. The school also has a generous transfer policy for students who have earned credits at another school. Students who attend this program develop foundational knowledge in health sciences. The degree culminates in a bachelor’s of science in public health. Learners who attend this program gain valuable experience in public health policy’s that impact populations, communities and individuals.
Trident International University is a small school with just 1,500 undergraduate students. This for-profit university allows students to complete their degrees 100% online. Less than half of students who apply receive an acceptance letter from the school. Among many available majors, students can study Health Service Preparatory Studies.
What We Like: Of students surveyed, 95% found it easy to get desired classes and 90% of students say they have a manageable workload.
Degree: BS Public Health
Trident International University BS Public Health
What Are the Advantages of an Accelerated Public Health Bachelor’s?
An accelerated Public Health Bachelor’s degree program gives you an opportunity to begin to advance your career while you are still attending class. By speeding up the learning process, you are ready to take on more responsibilities much sooner. Accelerated courses are made up of lessons that contain larger amounts of information. Bulk amounts of information means more skills and abilities are available much sooner allowing you to begin using them at work long before you graduate. The more you know at work, the more efficient you become. This increases your opportunity for advancement.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Public Health?
Earning a Bachelor’s in Public Health allows you to work with the public in a variety of ways. You can work as an educator associated with your local health department. A Bachelor’s in Public Health also allows you to work within the Emergency Management System as a public health advisor, EMT/Paramedic supervisor, or as the head of a local health agency. There are many positions available at the local, county, and state level that will allow you to advance your career. Public health workers that have a medical background can often find work as instructors for basic first aid and life support skills.
A Bachelor’s in Public Health can also be beneficial for individuals who deal with public health and safety issues. Groups like OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, work together to maintain safe work environments for employees and guests. OSHA, for example, continually inspects work areas to ensure they are free of any type of hazard that could result in an injury. The CDC works to ensure that health and safety protocols are in place and monitored within all public areas.
Earning a Bachelor’s in Public Health is also a great idea for individuals who work as home health aides. Home health aides require a basic knowledge of patient care. Earning a Bachelor’s in Public Health is a great way to start a career in the healthcare field. As they begin to earn experience, they may choose to move past public health and on to a nursing degree. Already having a basic knowledge of nursing and healthcare gives them a foot in the door to future career moves.
What If I Don’t Need a Bachelor’s in Public Health?
There are times when you don’t need a Bachelor’s in Public Health. Instead, you may only need a certificate to accomplish your goals. Certifications are not as extensive as a degree program, but they will provide you with the most up-to-date information possible. If the student has been working in their chosen field for many years, a certification will give them everything they need to substantiate or validate the experience they have earned over the years.
Certificates are also a good way to get your foot in the door if you want to move up the ladder. A certification will give you additional skills that you can rely on until you are ready to return to school to earn your Bachelor’s in Public Health degree. If you are working in a position where you are required to be licensed or certified, a Public Health Certification can be earned as a way of remaining in compliance with your state’s requirements. Every license and certification requires a specific number of continuing education hours. This ensures that you always have the latest, most accurate information possible.
Certifications can also be used to broaden your horizons, especially if you want to choose a specialization but are unsure of what direction you want to go. If you have an Associate’s degree, your Certification in Public Health is a great way to learn more about the field and get the information you need to make an informed decision.
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Public Health
15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Health
