Health Sciences—Public Health Education, B.S.
About This Degree
The mission of the public health education program is to prepare entry-level health education specialists in the community and public health field who have skills such as health planning, program implementation and evaluation, and health advocacy for diverse populations in a variety of health promotion settings.
The Public Health Education program is a competency-based program with a sequence of courses that are designed to meet the needs of a public health educator. The curriculum builds on theory-based health models, health knowledge, and applying theory to practice. This is accomplished through student projects, case studies, health agency site visits, internships, and other learner-centered activities in partnership with the Health Sciences Student Organization and public health community partners.
The Public Health Education program presents opportunities for students to conduct community needs assessments to organize, implement, and evaluate health programs to bring about sustainable change. Completion of this major prepares one to assume an entry-level position as a health educator or a public health professional. The program also prepares graduates to take the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam as offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Continued study may include a master's degree in public health, health education, or other population health areas of discipline.
The requirements for admission to, and graduating from this degree track are:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (CGPA) of 2.75.
The requirements for admission to this degree track are:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (CGPA) of 2.75.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisites | ||
| These courses are required before entering the major and may also meet university general education requirements. | ||
| EESC 325 | GIS for the Urban Community | 3 |
| BIOL 106 | Practical Nutrition | 3 |
| BIOL 236 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 237 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| MATH 140 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Classes | 13cr | |
| HLTH 201 | Seminar in Health Sciences | 1 |
| HLTH 203 | Cultural Aspects of Health | 3 |
| HLTH 210 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HLTH 211 | Consumer Health | 3 |
| HLTH 220 | Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
| Intermediate Courses | 9cr | |
| HLTH 301 | Health Counseling | 3 |
| HLTH 303 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| HLTH 304 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Advanced Courses | 21cr | |
| HLTH 402 | Health Education Theories and Techniques | 3 |
| HLTH 405 | Health Planning | 3 |
| HLTH 425 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HLTH 434 | School & Community Health | 3 |
| HLTH 450 | Community Health Research | 3 |
| HLTH 435 | Public Health Education Internship (full time) | 6 |
| HLTH 1435 | Public Health Education Internship (Part Time) 1 | 3 |
| Electives Take 3 of the following | 9cr | |
| HLTH 205 | Public Health Aspects of Nutrition | 3 |
| HLTH 206 | Substance Abuse | 3 |
| HLTH 207 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| HLTH 300 | Women and Health | 3 |
| HLTH 302 | Mental Health | 3 |
| HLTH 305 | Safety Education & First Aid | 3 |
| HLTH 310 | Public Health Issues of Immigration | 3 |
| HLTH 415 | Family Living & Sex Education | 3 |
| HLTH 430 | Health Science Field Study (Total Credits) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 52cr | |
HLTH 435 (240 hours) or HLTH 1435 (120 hours taken twice over two consecutive semesters for a total of 240 hours)
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| ENGL 101 or ESL 101 | Critical Writing and Analysis or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students | 4-6 |
| MATH 140 | Statistics I | 3 |
| General Education Course Tier I | 3 | |
| General Education Course Tier I | 3 | |
| Credits | 13-15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 or ESL 102 | Critical Writing and Research or English Composition 2 ESL | 4-6 |
| HLTH 203 | Cultural Aspects of Health | 3 |
| HLTH 211 | Consumer Health | 3 |
| General Education Course Tier II (BIOL 224) | 3 | |
| General Education Course Tier II | 3 | |
| General Education Course Tier II | 3 | |
| Credits | 19-21 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| General Education Course Tier II | 3 | |
| General Education Course Tier II | 3 | |
| HLTH 201 | Seminar in Health Sciences | 1 |
| HLTH pre-requisite course | 3 | |
| HLTH 200 level course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| General Education Course Tier III | 3 | |
| HLTH 200 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 200 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 200 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH pre-requisite course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| HLTH 300 level course | 3 | |
| HTLH 300 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 300 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 300 level course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| General Education Course Tier III | 3 | |
| HLTH 400 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 400 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH 400 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH elective course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| HLTH 400 level course | 3 | |
| HLTH elective course | 3 | |
| HLTH elective course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HLTH 435 | Public Health Education Internship (full time) | 8 |
| HLTH 400 level course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 119-123 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Health Sciences Public Health Education BS program, students will be able to understand and demonstrate the "Eight Responsibilities" of Certified Health Education Specialists as put forth by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC):
- Area I: Assess needs, assets and capacities for health education.
- Area II: Plan health education/promotion.
- Area III: Implement health education/promotion.
- Area IV: Conduct evaluation and research related to health education/ promotion.
- Area V: Advocate for health education/promotion.
- Area VI: Serve as a health education/promotion resource person.
- Area VII: Serve in leadership roles to manage health education/promotion
- Area VIII: Uphold ethics and professionalism in health education & promotion