Catalog 2013-2014

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.

Degree Requirements

First (Freshman) Year - Fall Semester

SOC 100Introduction to Sociology

4

HSC 236Introduction to Public Health

3

GWA 100Introduction to Government and World Affairs

4

or

GWA 200American Government

4

or

GWA 201World Affairs

4

FYW 101Writing and Inquiry

4

GTW 101Gateways

1

or

HON 101Pathways to Honors 1

1

Total Credit Hours:16

First (Freshman) Year - Spring Semester

MAT 155Finite Mathematics for Liberal Arts

4

BIO 183Microbiology for the Allied Health Sciences

3

or

BIO 204Biological Unity

4

GWA 202International Political Economy

4

FYW 102Writing & Research

4

GTW 102Gateways II

1

or

HON 102Pathways to Honors 2

1

Total Credit Hours:16-17

 

Second (Sophomore) Year - Fall Semester

Humanities/Fine Arts (Bacc. Exp.)

4

GWA 203Political Parties and Interest Groups

4

Social Science (Bacc. Exp)

4

CHE 150Chemistry for Health Care Professions

4

or

CHE 152General Chemistry I

3

Total Credit Hours:15-16

Second (Sophomore) Year - Spring Semester

Elective

4

GWA 210Urban Politics and Policy

4

SPE 208Speech for Business and the Professions

4

Humanities/Fine Arts (Bacc. Exp.)

4

Total Credit Hours:16

Third (Junior) Year - Fall Semester

HSC 360Principles of Epidemiology in Exercise and Public Health

3

HSC 350Biostatistics

3

Humanities/Fine Arts (Bacc. Exp.)

4

GWA 326Political Campaigns and Electoral Politics

4

SOC 310Applied Sociology

4

Total Credit Hours:18

Third (Junior) Year - Spring Semester

HSC 375Social and Behavioral Sciences

3

SOC 313Social Stratification

4

SOC 375Research Methods

4

GWA 304Public Policy Analysis

4

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth (Senior) Year - Fall Semester

HSC 440Health Policy and Social Change

3

COM 426Public Opinion, the Media and Power

4

HSC 490Internship in Public Health

6-12

Elective

4

Total Credit Hours:17

Fourth (Senior) Year - Spring Semester

HSC 450Public Health Management and Leadership

3

HSC 445Health Promotion Program Planning and Evaluation

3

HSC 490Internship in Public Health

6-12

Total Credit Hours:12

Total Credit Hours: 125-127

General Recommendations

Although there are several required and recommended courses for the public health major, students still have flexibility in the curriculum 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

  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/or actions and how they affect the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and communities
  12. Demonstrate knowledge of the factors which 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.