Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is a 58 unit program designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in the field of public health and provide a pathway for graduates to enter a range of professions to influence and support the health of communities. Students engage with a curriculum grounded in public health competencies of social determinants of health, epidemiology, health policy, community organizing, health and power inequities, public health programming and practice in the field. They also build skills to support their agency as informed and engaged participants in a democracy; these include, but are not limited to, oral and written communication skills, quantitative, scientific and information literacy, critical thinking, critical consciousness, cultural humility, teamwork, leadership and creative problem solving. This public health foundation prepares students for a broad range of roles and types of jobs where they may use knowledge, skills and values gained from their public health training to address public health challenges of the 21st century and to advocate for and build healthy communities.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Identify effective strategies for advocacy and community organizing to improve health and health equity.
- Explain behavioral, biological, social, environmental, economic, policy and systems level factors influencing public health.
- Communicate orally, in writing and visually, coherently and persuasively in the context of public health using multiple platforms.
- Describe qualitative and quantitative research, including assessment, evaluation, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Plan interventions using research and theory to improve population health and reduce health inequities.
- Analyze the influences of social policy and health systems on population health.
- Demonstrate professional skills including teamwork, leadership, cultural humility, community engagement and critical reflection.
Course sequencing and Roadmap
We designed and scaffolded our curriculum over four semesters. Please note: this does not include the required foundation courses.
While most students attend full-time with at least 12-15 units per semester, it is possible to complete the requirements at part-time status (and extend completion beyond four semesters).
We have “sequenced” courses each semester, meaning completion of courses are prerequisites for courses the following semester.
Sequenced courses required for the major must be passed with a grade “C” or above.
All Public Health majors should follow the proper sequencing of major courses as outlined in the bulletin and PDF roadmap below.
PH 480: Fieldwork and Reflective Seminar
- 9 unit course in total
- Capstone course for the Public Health major
- Prerequisite: PH 431 Program Planning
- 3 unit seminar meets on campus, 6 unit fieldwork internship in an approved placement in the field of public health
- Students are placed in internship by instructor; they are given site options during first week of class. They do not secure their own placements.
- Due to demand on their schedule, it is recommended they take PH 480 + one other 3 unit elective course or alone
- Internship hours = 10-15 hours per week; 150 hours required in total
- Course is offered Spring & Fall semesters, Summer R4 10-week session
Career Paths & Job Outlook
There are many rewarding careers to choose from when you pursue a BS degree in community health education (public health), such as:
- Community Health Worker
- Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Contact Tracer
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Program Coordinator
- Community Planners
- Research Assistant
Related Graduate Programs examples: nursing, medicine, social work, public policy, public administration, city planning, education, and of course public health!
Check out the Public Health tab on the Career & Leadership Development page for tons of resources and information on career paths, salary, professional associations, and employment opportunities!