Program Overview

Public Health, BS

Introduction

The Public Health degree consists of two to three years of course work in Health Education and supporting areas. This includes required course work in both content and process-oriented Public Health courses, Social Sciences (Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology), Biological and Physical Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, and Chemistry) and other electives that complement a student’s interests and professional needs.

Why Consider a Public Health Major?

Public Health professionals engage in epidemiological analysis, assess population and community needs for health interventions; plan, implement and administer health education strategies, interventions and programs; conduct evaluation and research; serve as a health education resource; and communicate and advocate for the general health of the public. Effective Public Health is ecological in its approach. When planning the focus of interventions, public health professionals consider all factors that contribute to health and disease: individual behavior; group dynamics; environmental conditions; economics; politics, laws and policies; culture, ethnicity, and gender; and the availability, accessibility, and quality of health services.

Program Details

• The curriculum is based on the skills and competencies identified by Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
• Eligible students are encouraged to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam after graduation.
• The program is rigorous and CEPH accredited.
• Faculty members emphasize diverse hands-on projects and community outreach.
• At the end of the program, a full-time internship (40 hours per week for 10 weeks) in a public health setting is required.

Career Opportunities

• The Public Health major is appropriate for students who want to work in community, public, and global health; health communication; governmental and non-profit agencies and organizations; medical care settings; worksite wellness programs; and college and university student service health education programs.
• It can also serve as a preparatory program for graduate or post-baccalaureate study in Public Health and related areas.

Sample Careers

• Public Health Educator
• Tobacco Control Specialist
• Sexuality Education Coordinator
• HIV/AIDS Educator
• Hospital-based Wellness Program Director
• Public Health Director
• Substance Abuse Educator
• College Health Educator
• Injury Prevention Specialist
• Curriculum Development Specialist
• Health Consultant
• Health Information Specialist
• Nutrition and Physical Activity Coordinator
• Epidemiologist

Admission and Declaration Process

Step 1: Pre-Major Application

• Students interested in applying to the major should first pre-major in Public Health.
• This allows students access to entry-level courses.
• Students should schedule a meeting with the advising coordinator to declare the Public Health pre-major.

Step 2: Major Application

• The Public Health program accepts major applications in the spring quarter.
• Students are eligible to apply to the Public Health major once they have completed the following requirements:
  • Successfully declared a Public Health pre-major
  • Complete at least 75 undergraduate credits
  • Complete or concurrent enrollment in two of the following courses: MATH 114, MATH 240, or CHEM 161
• After completing the above, submit an application package, which includes a major application form, transcripts, current resume, essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Grade Requirements

• A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements (95-97 credits)

Health Core (67 credits)

• HLED 202 - Perspectives of Health and Wellness (5 credits)
• HLED 335 - Environmental Health (5 credits)
• HLED 345 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (5 credits)
• or HLED 350 - Nutrition (5 credits)
• HLED 355 - Healthcare System in the United States (5 credits)
• HLED 401 - Foundations of Public Health (5 credits)
• HLED 405 - Research Methods and Design (5 credits)
• HLED 415 - Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics (5 credits)
• HLED 419 - Public Health Theory (5 credits)
• HLED 425 - Planning and Implementation of Health Programs (5 credits)
• HLED 430 - Professional Preparation Seminar (5 credits)
• HLED 440 - Public Health Administration and Funding (5 credits)
• HLED 470 - Internship (12 credits)

Science Core (10 credits)

• BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab (5 credits)
• CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)

Science Electives (8-10 credits)

• Complete two courses from the following:
  • BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 245 - Microbiology for Health Sciences w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
  • CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry (5 credits)
  • CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 375 - Elements of Biochemistry (4 credits)
  • ESCI 333 - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (4 credits)
  • KIN 413 - Physiology of Exercise (5 credits)
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)

Concentration (10 credits)

• Complete one of the following concentrations:
  • Behavioral & Community Health
    • HLED 409 - Qualitative Research Methods (5 credits)
    • HLED 435 - Health Communication & Social Marketing (5 credits)
  • Population & Global Health
    • HLED 445 - Advanced Epidemiology (5 credits)
    • HLED 449 - Ecology of Infectious Disease (5 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement