Major in Global Public Health and the Common Good (B.A./B.S.)

Public health is the science and art of protecting the health of populations. Its mission is to enhance health, prevent disease, reduce disparities, extend longevity for all people, and safeguard the health of cities, states, and nations. 

In this program, you will gain a deep understanding of the theory and practice of public health and prepare for graduate study in medicine, nursing, public health, health policy, law, and international relations or for a career in business, social work and public health practice.

The 2025 Global Public Health and the Common Good academic Major/Minor Application will open on January 2, 2025 and close February 7, 2025 at 5:00 pm. 

Contact

Global Public Health and the Common Good

publichealth@xyschool.net
648 Higgins Hall
617-552-2187

Offering Two Majors

The Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good is rooted in the Boston College liberal arts curriculum, grounded in science, and committed to social justice. We are committed to the creation of a healthier and more equitable society and to care for the earth—our Common Home. 

The Program offers two majors: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). All students will also complete all of the requirements of the Boston College core curriculum, including the language requirement.

For interested Boston College undergraduate students, we have collaborated with Tufts University to offer an accellerated pathway to Tufts' Master of Public Health degree.

Bachelor of Arts

The B.A. in Global Public Health and the Common Good (minimum 36 academic credits) provides students with a solid grounding in public health science through coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics along with an understanding of the structural, cultural, and social factors that influence health. Students will gain a deep knowledge of ethics, public health theory and practice, law, and health inequities taught through a social justice lens. Completion of a B.A. degree in Global Public Health will prepare students for postgraduate study in public health or health policy (M.P.H., M.P.P., or Ph.D.); medical, dental, or veterinary school; advanced studies in nursing (D.N.P.); or direct entry into the public health workforce through employment in government agencies, research organizations, or not-for-profit organizations. 


 

Bachelor of Science

The B.S. in Global Public Health and the Common Good (minimum 51 academic credits) is geared toward students who are interested in gaining additional education in the scientific foundations of public health. It includes all of the courses included in the B.A. in Global Public Health plus at least five 3-credit science-related courses. The science courses approved for inclusion the B.S. degree include courses in both quantitative science (Computer Science, Mathematics, and Economics) or laboratory science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Neuroscience). Completion of a B.S. degree in Global Public Health will prepare students for all of the careers available to Global Public Health B.A. graduates as well as for careers in academia, biomedical research, industry, and data sciences.


Accelerated Master of Public Health at Tufts University

Tufts University is offering Boston College undergraduates an accelerated pathway to a Master of Public Health degree (M.P.H.). In this program, academically outstanding BC students have a unique opportunity to earn up to 12 Tufts M.P.H. credits during their time at BC and then complete an M.P.H. at Tufts in as little as one year, saving time and tuition costs. 

Core courses provide students with foundational knowledge in public health. Concentration requirements and the Applied Practical Experience/Integrated Learning Experience provide a focus in a particular public health field. 

Prospective M.P.H. students may major or minor in BC’s Global Public Health and the Common Good or other Boston College undergraduate programs.

Accelerated M.P.H. Degree

At a Glance


Two-semester capstone project in a research group or a community-based setting


11 student-run organizations dedicated to key issues in Global Public Health


Strong emphasis on the ethical and moral foundations of public health 

Distinctive Features

Rigorous

You will receive a rigorous education that places public health education in a highly interdisciplinary, liberal arts context. This will enable you to explore public health’s connections to history, sociology, literature, engineering, art, economics, and political science.

Jesuit, Catholic Tradition

This major, which draws on Boston College’s Jesuit, Catholic tradition and Pope Francis’ teaching in Laudato Si’, will strongly emphasize the ethical and moral foundations of public health and the intersection between public health, social justice, and care for our Common Home.

Flexible Career Options

You will be prepared to serve the public health needs on a global capacity, in addition to local, regional, and national communities.

Academic Program

This program is a collaboration between the Connell School of Nursing and the Schiller Institute for Science and Society.

Coursework in the major will be grounded in epidemiology and biostatistics, the core disciplines of public health. You will gain intellectual and experiential understanding of the social determinants of health—the complex web of social, economic, environmental, political, and historical factors that influence health and drive the spread of disease. 
The major will consist of 36 academic credits, equivalent to 12 full-semester courses.  

In addition to the Major coursework, all Global Public Health and the Common Good major students must complete the Boston College Core Curriculum.  The undergraduate Core is a set of 15 required courses that give students exposure to a wide range of subjects. Click here for more general information on the BC Core.

Major students must also complete the Boston College Language Proficiency Requirement, which requires demonstration of intermediate-level proficiency in a modern or classical language in order to graduate. Click here for more information on language proficiency.  

8

Required Courses

 

Course #Course Name
PHCG/NURS 1210

Public Health in a Global Society

This gateway course introduces students to public health - what it is and how it works. It examines public health’s unique features and reviews its triumphs. The course focuses on the challenges confronting public health today – environmental threats to health, health disparities by race and socioeconomic status, and the urgent need to improve health equity.

PHCG 2120 

Introduction to Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the fundamental science of public health. This course introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics used to track health and disease in populations. Prerequisite PHCG1210

PHCG 3560 

Biostatistics, Data Analytics and Quantitative Methods in Public Health

This course covers descriptive and inferential statistics used in biomedical and public health studies, with emphasis on practice and implementation. Prerequisite PHCG1210

PHCG/THEO 3223

Ethics of Global Public Health and the Common Good

This course examines the ethical issues raised by real-world issues in global public health, and it considers approaches to address them.

PHCG 3600

Health Inequities: Origins and Remedies

This course examines the social, economic, political and historical factors that drive disparities in health and explores strategies to overcome these structural injustices. Prerequisite PHCG1210, 2120

PHCG 2130 

Global Public Health Law

This course examines the critical role of law in creating and implementing social policy and achieving social justice and health equity. 

PHCG 3300

Global Health: Theory to Practice

In this course, students learn how to apply public health principles to real-life global health problems through practical case studies. Prerequisite PHCG1210, 3600

PHCG 3810 

Public Health Planning, Practice, and Evaluation

This course explores the theoretical and practical elements of public health program planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Principles and best practices in public health advocacy are discussed.  Prerequisite PHCG1210


2

Courses for Required Capstone Project

 

 

Senior Capstone Experience

PHCG4975

and 

PHCG4976

 

The Senior Capstone is a 2-semester, 6-credit, mentored, interdisciplinary experience that spans both semesters of the senior year. It is the culmination of the undergraduate experience in Global Public Health. Students have several options for completing the Capstone: 

Option 1: Students may produce a scholarly, scientific report of publishable quality on a topic in public health. 

Option 2: Students may complete a yearlong, community-based engagement project on an issue relevant to public health in partnership with a community group, an NGO, a government agency, or a consulting firm. 

Option 3: Students may develop a video, computer app, or other innovation that addresses a public health issue. 

The Capstone experience is supported by two 3-credit courses that meet once per week across both semesters.

  

2

Electives

Electives:

You will choose two electives from an extensive list of courses.

 

Notice to our PreHealth Students:

Students applying to medical, dental, or veterinary programs in the United States calculate a science GPA that includes all BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) courses.

It is the belief of the Global Public Health and the Common Good program faculty that, in accordance with the guidelines outlined by AMCAS, the courses listed below should be reported in your “BCPM” GPA when applying through AMCAS. When filing an application, PreHealth students should read the instructions on the AMCAS or AACOMAS application carefully, as policies may change.

  • PHCG2120 Introduction to Epidemiology
  • PHCG3120 Cancer Epidemiology
  • PHCG3560 Biostatistics, Data Analytics and Quantitative Methods in Public Health
  • PHCG4140 Children's Health and the Environment 

As a graduate from this program, you will be prepared for:

  • graduate study in medicine, nursing, public health, health policy, law, and international relations or 
  • a career in business, social work and public health practice

You will learn how the health of populations affects economic growth and alters the destiny of nations. You will acquire knowledge of key elements of public health: disease prevention; health promotion; survey design; community assessment; data collection, management, and analysis; policy development; outbreak investigation and control; infection dynamics; project implementation; grant writing, public health communication; and leadership.

The acceptance to the Global Public Health and the Common Good program is by application, which occurs in January annually. The best way to stay informed of all things related to the Global Public Health program, is to subscribe to our newsletter.

Admittance to the major and minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good is by application.  Students can apply in the Spring semester of either their freshman or sophomore year. Rising seniors will be considered only if they have already fulfilled many of the course requirements for the minor.

We seek a broad range of students from programs and schools across Boston College to apply, including:

  • pre-health and nursing students who wish to understand how the health of populations informs the care of individual patients.
  • students from the humanities, business, economics, environmental science, pre-law, political science, international studies and other majors who wish to learn how the health of populations and the social, political, economic and environmental determinants of health and disease influence public policy, drive economic growth, and shape the destiny of nations.

Students who wish to apply to the program are encouraged to take Public Health in a Global Society (NURS1210 cross-listed as PHCG1210) before applying. This course is open to students in all schools at Boston College, but it is not required to apply to the program.

Please contact publichealth@xyschool.net with any questions regarding the application.

Faculty

Connell School of Nursing

Law School

Lynch School of Education and Human Development

Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences

School of Social Work

Student Ambassadors, 2024-2025

Because of their merit and passion for public health, GPHCG Student Ambassadors have been selected to represent the program at BC and beyond. It is their job to lead the next generation of public health professionals and help create meaningful impact in their communities.

Research

Undergraduate Research

 

In the Undergraduate Research Fellows (UGRF) program, undergraduates pair with research-intensive faculty and their teams to work on scholarly projects. They are financially compensated for their time and effort. CSON supports approximately 50 research placements for undergraduate students each year. Many UGRFs contribute substantially to scientific products including presentations and published abstracts and papers. 

Faculty Research

Students are invited to learn about our research and to become involved in projects of significant importance to modern societies.

Areas of major research interest within the program are:

  • The spread of pandemics,
  • Nutrition and health.
  • Health impacts of pollution and climate change, and
  • The ethical and legal foundations of public health

FAQ

Print
Developing this major at Boston College is aligned with our mission to use our education and knowledge in service to others – in this case, to serve people and communities through global public health.
Katherine Gregory, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean, William F. Connell School of Nursing
Dean Kate Gregory

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