Bachelor of Science in Public Health

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canadian University Dubai

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health – Health Administration at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is a 4-year undergraduate degree that combines public health knowledge with health systems management, preparing students to lead and improve healthcare services and patient outcomes. It suits students who want careers in healthcare administration, hospital management, policy implementation, health information systems, and organisational leadership within hospitals, clinics, ministries, NGOs and health consultancies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish foundational healthcare and science knowledge with Biology I (BIO 102), Fundamentals of Healthcare Management (HOM 101), English I (LNG 171-4), Chemistry (SHS 103) and Fundamentals in Innovation and Entrepreneurship I (ENT 141), which strengthen essential scientific, communication and administrative skills needed for public health practice.

Year 2

The second year builds core public health and system concepts with courses like Principles of Public Health (SHS 100), Healthcare Systems (SHS 102), Global Health (SHS 200), Infectious Diseases (SHS 208), Introduction to Environmental Health (ENV 220), plus general electives and Principles of Accounting I (ACT 112), preparing students to understand health systems, disease patterns and organisational basics.

Year 3

In the third year, students advance management and analytical expertise with core modules such as Health Policy and Governance (HA 320), Biostatistics (ENV 310), Epidemiology (ENV 416), Occupational Health and Safety (ENV 421), and Public Health Ethics (SHS 410), alongside concentration courses like Health Information Systems (HA 301) and Health Economics (SHS 104), enabling them to assess data, guide policy and oversee health operations.

Year 4

The final year emphasises professional readiness with advanced concentration modules including Healthcare Quality (HA 310), Performance Improvement in Healthcare (HA 314), Medical Coding (HA 330), Hospital Management (HOM 320), Healthcare Finance and Insurance (HA 450), and a Public Health Internship (SHS 400) that allows students to apply leadership and administrative skills in real-world healthcare settings.

Focus areas (in a string):

Healthcare systems management, health policy & governance, health information systems, epidemiology & biostatistics, healthcare quality & finance

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Graduates will manage health services, analyse population health data, implement public health strategies, lead healthcare teams, ensure quality and safety, and communicate solutions effectively

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education – Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and aligns with international public health and health administration education standards.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Canadian University Dubai has a QS Stars 5-star institutional rating and is ranked among top universities in Dubai, supporting graduate employability in public health, government health departments, international organisations, hospitals and consultancy firms.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This practical approach is structured through the following specific activities and resources:

Applied Fieldwork and Community Projects: A core component involves community-based learning projects, where students conduct needs assessments, design health promotion campaigns, or evaluate public health programs in partnership with local organizations, schools, or healthcare facilities.
Public Health Data Analysis Labs: Students use dedicated computer laboratories equipped with industry-standard statistical and epidemiological software, specifically SPSS and possibly R or Stata, for analyzing health data, conducting biostatistics exercises, and interpreting public health surveillance information.
Mandatory Professional Internship (Practicum): Students must complete a public health practicum or internship, providing supervised work experience with organizations such as public health departments (e.g., DHA, SEHA), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), health promotion agencies, occupational health and safety divisions, or health policy institutes.
Capstone Senior Project: A significant capstone project requires students to identify a public health issue, review scientific literature, analyze relevant data, and propose evidence-based interventions or policies, synthesizing all core program competencies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Canadian University Dubai's Bachelor of Science in Public Health (Health Administration) develop expertise in healthcare management, quality improvement, health informatics, and policy implementation, preparing them to optimize patient outcomes and operational efficiency across UAE's rapidly expanding healthcare sector. They gain skills to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, and drive accreditation compliance in hospitals and clinics. Typical job roles include health services manager, hospital administrator, quality assurance coordinator, and healthcare policy analyst.

Progression & Future Opportunities: CUD's career framework positions graduates for immediate impact:

Career Services Hub offers DHA/MOHAP licensing prep, healthcare management job fairs, leadership workshops, and direct placements with Dubai Health Authority facilities.
Strong employability (90%+ within 6 months) with starting salaries AED 13,000–23,000 monthly in Dubai's private/government healthcare institutions.
Partnerships with Dubai Health Authority, private hospital groups, and international health organizations provide internships and recruitment pipelines.
UAE Ministry of Education accreditation ensures long-term recognition for senior healthcare executive roles across GCC healthcare systems.
Proven outcomes: graduates advance to director-level positions and lead hospital expansions/quality programs within 3-5 years.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates pursue CUD's Master of Public Health (MPH) with health leadership focus or international MSc Healthcare Management programs at universities like University of Toronto, specializing in hospital administration or health informatics. Many progress to DBA/PhD pathways or executive certifications (FACHE), leveraging capstone projects for C-suite healthcare leadership and consultancy roles.