Bachelor of Public Health (Disease Control)

This degree focuses on the science of preventing and controlling diseases at the population level. You will study how outbreaks begin, how to track them, and how to design programmes that keep communities healthy. It is a practical field for anyone interested in public health in Ghana and beyond.

What disease control in public health involves

Programmes of this kind usually cover epidemiology – the study of how diseases spread through populations – as well as biostatistics, environmental health, and health promotion. You learn to investigate outbreaks, monitor disease trends, and plan interventions like vaccination campaigns or sanitation drives. The emphasis is on preventing illness rather than treating individual patients, so the skills you build are about research, data analysis, communication, and programme management.

How competitive entry is

Entry to this programme is competitive, so you will need solid WASSCE results to stand a chance. The college accepts students from General Science and Home Economics backgrounds, so if you have one of those, you can apply. The same programme is highly competitive at the University of Ghana, and less competitive at Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development and Catholic University of Ghana. Your best move is to check your grades against the published requirements and apply anyway if you believe you qualify.

What you can do after graduating

Graduates typically go into the public health workforce. Common roles include disease surveillance officer, health promotion officer, and community health coordinator. You could work for the Ghana Health Service, NGOs, international agencies like WHO or UNICEF, or private health consultancies. Some graduates go on to further study in epidemiology or public health, which can open senior research or policy roles.