BSc Public Health
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious and non-communicable diseases at the community and national level.
4 years
Duration
GHS 5,500
Regular Tuition/Year
~30
Class Size
Disease Control Officer
Career Path
Programme Overview
The BSc Public Health programme trains students to become frontline public health professionals specializing in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and control strategies. Students study epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health promotion, with practical fieldwork in disease control programmes across Ghana.
Course Highlights
Career Opportunities
Entry Requirements
- WASSCE/SSSCE with passes in Core Mathematics, English, and Integrated Science
- Three science electives including Chemistry and Biology
- Aggregate 36 or better for WASSCE / 24 or better for SSSCE
About This Programme
The past decade has demonstrated, more clearly than ever, why public health professionals are indispensable. From the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to the global COVID-19 pandemic, disease control officers have been at the frontline of protecting populations from infectious disease threats. In Ghana, the Ghana Health Service and its network of regional and district health directorates rely on public health professionals to conduct disease surveillance, investigate outbreaks, implement vaccination campaigns, and manage environmental health risks. The BSc Public Health programme at KCoHAS prepares students for this vital work. Affiliated with the University of Cape Coast and aligned with national standards, the programme covers epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, communicable and non-communicable disease control, health promotion, and public health policy. Students develop skills in outbreak investigation, data analysis, community health assessment, and programme management. What sets this programme apart is its emphasis on practical fieldwork. Students undertake placements at district health directorates, where they participate in real disease surveillance activities, immunisation campaigns, and environmental health inspections. This field-based approach ensures graduates are not just theoretically prepared but operationally ready to contribute from day one. Graduates of the programme pursue careers with Ghana Health Service, the National Disease Surveillance Department, environmental health agencies, NGOs, and international organisations. The programme also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in epidemiology, global health, or health policy.
Why Study at KCoHAS?
Clinical Placements
Students complete field placements at Ghana Health Service district health directorates, sub-district health centres, and environmental health departments across the Greater Accra and Eastern regions. Placements begin in Year 2 with observational visits and progress to active participation in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and health promotion activities by Year 3. Students assist with routine disease notification, participate in immunisation campaigns, conduct environmental health inspections, and contribute to community health assessments. Final-year students complete a capstone public health project that addresses a real disease control challenge in a Ghanaian community.
Graduate Outcomes
92%
Employment Rate (within 6 months)
GHS 3,500–5,500/month
Starting Salary Range
“My placement at a district health directorate during the rainy season was intense. We were tracking cholera cases, doing water quality testing, and running community education campaigns all at once. That experience taught me more about public health than any textbook ever could. I now work with Ghana Health Service and I use those skills every day.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a disease control officer actually do?
Disease control officers are responsible for monitoring disease trends in communities, investigating outbreaks, coordinating response efforts, conducting health inspections, running immunisation campaigns, and educating the public about disease prevention. They work with district and regional health teams to ensure communicable and non-communicable diseases are detected early and managed effectively.
Is this programme relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic?
More than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for trained public health professionals who can conduct disease surveillance, manage contact tracing, coordinate vaccination campaigns, and communicate health information to the public. Governments and international organisations worldwide are investing more in public health infrastructure, creating strong demand for qualified graduates.
Can I work with international organisations after graduating?
Yes. Graduates of the BSc Public Health programme are well-suited for roles with international organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC-Ghana, USAID, and international NGOs working in disease control and health systems strengthening. The programme's emphasis on epidemiology, data analysis, and fieldwork provides the skill set these organisations value.
What is the difference between public health and clinical medicine?
Clinical medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating individual patients. Public health focuses on preventing disease and promoting health at the population level. Public health professionals work to stop diseases before they spread, improve community health systems, and develop policies that protect entire populations. Both fields are essential, but public health has a broader, preventive focus.
Ready to start your journey to becoming a Disease Control Officer? Apply now for the 2026/2027 academic year.
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