Four-Year Degree Plan for Major in Public Health with a Concentration in Public Policy and Social Change

Note that this is a sample four-year plan. There are other course sequences that will allow a student to graduate within four years as long as prerequisite courses are taken in the proper sequence. This sample plan does not guarantee course availability, and adjustments to students’ plans may be necessary if they are unable to take specific courses during specific semesters. Students who are placed into lower level FYW, MAT or other prerequisite courses will need to adjust their four-year plans accordingly. Similarly, students who bring in Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment or transfer credit for courses will need to adjust their four-year plans. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA both overall and in the major is required for graduation. In addition to major requirements, all components of the Baccalaureate Experience must be completed in order to successfully graduate.

Total Credit Hours: 129-131

Although there are several required and recommended courses for the public health major, students still have flexibility to take courses of special interest. For instance, students may wish to pursue additional coursework in adolescent health, women’s health, gerontology, biology, environmental science, criminology, international and cultural studies, urban studies, Latin American studies, psychology, sociology, communication or research methods.

Graduate Competencies

Upon completion of the public health major, students will have learned to do the following:

1. Collect and analyze population-based data to solve problems in public health.
2. Assess individual and community needs.
3. Study the patterns of disease in human populations.
4. Determine the physical, social and behavioral determinants of health.
5. Develop, execute and evaluate effective public health programs and policies for social change.
6. Collect, manage and disseminate public health information.
7. Communicate health needs, concerns and resources.
8. Coordinate and lead in the provision of health program services.
9. Provide leadership in collaborative problem solving, decision-making, and accountability in public health programs.
10. Demonstrate ethical choices, values and professional practices.
11. Recognize system-level decisions and actions and how they affect relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and communities.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that influence local, national and global legislative and social polices.
13. Apply broad-based, state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative skills needed for problem solving.
14. Develop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies for solving health-related problems.
15. Enhance communication skills by working with diverse populations.
16. Be positioned for a leadership role in health promotion and disease prevention.

Students who successfully complete this degree program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become Certified Health Education Specialists.