Public Health / Bachelor of Science with Organizational Communication Minor
Program: BS-PHLT-5
Total Credit Hours: 120
Major Credit Hours: 48
Organizational Communication Minor: 18
The Public Health program is designed to begin with the basic science and foundational health courses. Students are introduced to skills in listening, communicating, and counseling, then continue on to explore the various ways public health is carried out across the United States. As students complete their studies, they apply the theoretical concepts and skills practiced in classroom and lab-based experiences in community-based settings. The program culminates with a review of the Eight Areas of Responsibilities and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) competencies in preparation for the post-graduation certification exam that results in the CHES® credential that employers will be looking for in many cases as a requirement for employment.
Outcome Characteristics
Goals and Learning Outcomes of the BSPH Program
Graduates of the BSPH program will demonstrate competence in the Eight Areas of Responsibilities for a Public Health Professional:
- Needs Assessment in Health Education/Promotion
- Program Planning in Health Education/Promotion
- Health Education Program Implementation
- Research and Evaluation in Health Education/Promotion
- Advocacy for Health, Health Education/Promotion, & the Profession
- Communication for Health Education and Promotion
- Leadership and Management in Health Education/Promotion
- Ethics and Professionalism
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is designed to prepare students to:
- Assess individual and community needs for health information and services;
- Plan and implement health education strategies, interventions, and programs;
- Promote health among diverse individuals, groups, and families in various settings
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically and behave ethically while fulfilling the Seven Areasof Responsibilities for a health education/promotion specialist;
- Display positive professional dispositions consistent with current standards of practice;
- Locate, use, evaluate, and synthesize public health information; and
- Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms through a variety of media, to diverse audiences.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| HCMT 30000 | Unites States Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCMT 31000 | Communication in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCMT 43000 | Research Methods in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCMT 36000 | Management Skills for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| HLTH 20100 | Introduction to Health Communication | 3 |
| HLTH 22000 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HUPR 25500 | Health Behavior | 3 |
| HUPR 27100 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
| HLTH 30200 | Health Promotion & Programming | 3 |
| HLTH 31100 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HLTH 32200 | Program Evaluation for Public Health Practice | 3 |
| HLTH 34000 | Global Health | 3 |
| HLTH 41600 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| Professional Experience | ||
| HLTH 48000 | Seminar in Public Health | 3 |
| HLTH 49000 | Professional Experience in Public Health | 6 |
| Communication Minor | ||
| COMM 11200 | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 |
| COMM 21100 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 21600 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 34900 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| Additional 6 Credit Hours - Communication Elective Courses Required | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
Professional Experience
A student is eligible for Professional Experience after:
- Completing their core courses with a minimum 2.50 GPA Public Health courses (with no grade below C) including transfer courses
- Completing 90 total college credits with a minimum overall 2.50 GPA, including transfer credit
- Approval from faculty their major advisor1
- 1
Obtains verification of requirements completed from the signature of the major advisor.