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

Public Health Major
Admission to the Public Health major requires a minimum cumulative CWU/combined GPA of 2.5; students who do not meet the GPA requirement or other pre-admission requirements may apply for admission on a provisional basis. Students wishing to enroll in the major must first meet with the program director.

Additional Graduation Requirements
Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Public Health must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Special requirements other than departmental:
ENG 101 and ENG 102 must be completed prior to enrollment in PUBH 240. Majors must earn a C or higher in PUBH 230 and PUBH 240 in order to enroll in most other required core courses. PUBH 375 may be taken concurrently with PUBH 230.

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.

Specialization Required Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits from the following courses:

• PUBH 209 - Consumer Health Credits: (3)
• HED 210 - Drugs and Health Credits: (3)
• HED 318 - The Politics of Food and Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 351 - Community Building Strategies for Public Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 370 - Contemporary Issues in Public Health Credits: (3)
• HED 387 - Principles of Fitness and Stress Management Credits: (3)
• PUBH 440 - Public Health Communication Credits: (3)
• PUBH 448 - Sexual Health Credits: (3)
• PUBH 475 - Community Health Administration Credits: (3)
• NUTR 101 - Introduction to Human Nutrition Credits: (5)

Total Credits: 90

College and Department Information

Physical Education, School Health, and Movement Studies Department  
College of Education and Professional Studies