Public Health BS, Population Health Specialization

Public Health Core

Program Director
Rebecca Pearson, PhD, MPH

Program Information
The public health profession focuses on preventing disease, addressing inequities and developing policies and programs that help communities achieve optimal health and well-being. Our program aims to educate and empower the emerging generation of public health leaders. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health prepares students for graduate work or careers in the field and exposes them to evidence-based research and practice experiences.

Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the public health program a student must meet with and be signed in by a member of the public health faculty.

Graduation Requirements
Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Public Health must earn a grade of C or higher in all core public health courses. 

Program Requirements
Public health majors will complete the core coursework and select a specialization in either Population Health or Pre-Nursing. All majors are also required to complete a 400-hour internship experience.

Special Requirements (other than departmental)
ENG 101 and ENG 102 must be completed prior to enrollment in PUBH 240. 

Population Health Specialization

Population health represents the area of study and practice focusing on the determinants and distribution of health across different groups of individuals. Understanding issues and situations that harm people’s potential for health, well-being, and quality of life enables public health professionals to develop effective strategies to improve outcomes. The population health specialization prepares students for graduate study or career work with a variety of populations through diverse course offerings.

Department-Approved Specialization Electives

Students must complete a minimum of 23 credits from the following list of electives:

(Students may also seek advisor approved electives outside of this list)

• HED 210 - Drugs and Health Credits: (3)
• HED 387 - Principles of Fitness and Stress Management Credits: (3)
• NUTR 101 - Introduction to Human Nutrition Credits: (5)
• NUTR 318 - The Politics of Food and Health Credits: (3)
• OR  PUBH 318 - The Politics of Food and Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 209 - Consumer Health Credits: (4)
• PUBH 351 - Community Building Strategies for Public Health Credits: (4)
• PUBH 370 - Contemporary Issues in Public Health Credits: (4)
• PUBH 409 - Community Mental Health Issues and Strategies Credits: (3)
• PUBH 412 - Aging and Public Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 413 - Health Disparities in Rural and Frontier Communities Credits: (3)
• PUBH 420 - Women’s Health Issues Credits: (4)
• PUBH 424 - Maternal and Child Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 440 - Public Health Communication Credits: (3)
• PUBH 448 - Sexual Health Credits: (4)
• PUBH 465 - Undergraduate Research Preparation for Public Health Credits: (2)
• PUBH 475 - Community Health Administration Credits: (3)
• PUBH 479 - Senior Seminar in Public Health Credits: (1)
• PUBH 480 - Grant Seeking and Administration in Public Health Credits: (3)

Total Credits: 90

College and Department Information

Health Sciences Department  
College of Education and Professional Studies  

Program Outcomes
Visit program outcomes to find out what you can expect to know and do after successful completion of this program.