Bachelor's

Public Health (B.S.)

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Program
Public Health

Reflecting an interdisciplinary approach, students in the B.S. in Public Health program (61-63 credits) take courses covering material from the various public health core disciplines (epidemiology; social behavior and community health; health policy; biological and environmental science; and statistics) supplemented by multiple options from related disciplines. Additionally, students complete a track approved by the program director to develop proficiencies related to their career interests.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who choose a major in public health will gain an understanding of the foundations of public health. Upon completion of a major in public health, students will be able to:

  1. describe the history of public health;
  2. explain the organization, financing, and delivery of health care services in the United States;
  3. describe the public health system and provide examples of the essential services of public health;
  4. describe the methodologies employed by public health practitioners;
  5. identify and describe the factors impacting health and disease of a population using a socioecological model;
  6. discuss the impact of culture and policy on health and disease;
  7. perform evidence informed decision making:
    • identify appropriate sources of information and data;
    • collect information and data;
    • assess information and data for accuracy and relevance; and
    • used information and data to inform decision making;
  8. utilize basic methods for measurement and quantification of disease to describe the extent of public health issues; and
  9. communicate to a variety of audiences using written and oral communication techniques.

Required Courses

  • Complete all of the following:
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
37

Ethics

  • Complete one of the following:
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

Statistics

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3-4

Research

  • Complete one of the following:
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3-4

Track

  • Complete five courses (15 credits) by advisement of the Public Health Program Director.
Sub-Total Credits
15

Additional Program Information

The public health major will include instruction in the following domains (http://ceph.org/assets/SBP-Criteria.pdf, last accessed 10/13/2015):

  • the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in society;
  • the basic concepts, methods and tools of public health data collection, use and analysis and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice;
  • the concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations;
  • the underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course;
  • the socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities;
  • the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment and evaluation;
  • the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the US health system as well as the differences in systems in other countries;
  • basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy and the roles, influences and responsibilities of the different agencies and branches of government; and
  • basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology. 

In addition to the knowledge gained, student who successfully complete the program will have gained several valuable skills that will transfer to future academic endeavors or the workforce. Students who have completed the public health major will have practiced and developed: 

  • effective oral and written communication skills;
  • the ability to locate, use, evaluate, and synthesized information and data;
  • evidence-based decision making skills;
  • basic epidemiological analyses skills;
  • a holistic view of health and the factors impacting health; 
  • the ability to conduct a needs assessment; and
  • experience developing  a health promotion program or plan to address identified need(s).

Degree Completion Notes

  • Total credits required for a bachelor's degree (minimum): 120 credits
  • Completion of General Education coursework required
  • 1/2 of major requirements must be completed at Sage
  • Cumulative GPA required for graduation (minimum): 2.000
  • Minimum major GPA required for graduation (minimum): 2.200
Total Credits
61-63