Public Health, BS

Introduction

The Public Health (PUBH) degree prepares students with the skills and knowledge necessary to attain employment in health-related fields within the public and private sectors. Also, it serves as a pre-professional degree that may be used to pursue graduate study in a variety of allied health programs. Students may choose from two highly structured concentrations within the program. Majors may specialize in Community Health Education or Health Administration.

Students who successfully complete the Community Health Education track will be eligible to take the exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). 

All Public Health students will take 28 credits of Public Health Core courses and additional Public Health courses specific to their respective concentrations. Students pursuing Community Health Education concentration will take courses in the natural and behavioral sciences. Those pursuing the Health Administration track will take additional business-related courses. Completion of the degree does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program. 

The combination of core and concentration requirements results in 80 credits of required major courses. Concentration electives permit public health majors to focus on sub-specialties in other Stockton programs such as Gerontology; Holistic Health; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; and Business Studies. Students are required to complete an internship to obtain field experience in Public Health. However, other internship programs such as the Washington Internship Program and programs in international studies are also available. Students who wish to pursue a minor or a dual degree within another program are advised to consult with the coordinator of the respective program to ensure that all the curriculum requirements are met. 

Public Health graduates may be eligible for entry-level positions within a variety of health-related organizations, including state or local health departments, federal health agencies, voluntary health agencies, public utilities, private industry, consulting firms, hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. 

Admission to the Program

Students enrolled in the program are advised to declare their concentration by the beginning of the sophomore year to provide enough time to meet all program requirements for graduation by the end of their senior year. Credit for transfer students will be considered on an individual basis. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the PUBH program coordinator, by appointment, prior to declaring the major. A minimum grade of C- in all PUBH courses (or their equivalents) and a PUBH GPA of C (2.0) or better are required to be eligible for graduation (Non-PUBH courses required in the concentrations do not have to meet the C- minimum; but again, total GPA needs to be a 2.0 or higher). 

Program Organization

The two concentrations within the Public Health program are Community Health Education and Health Administration.

 Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the following Public Health program requirements leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Public Health Core:                                                                                                   28 credits

Concentration Courses                                                                                            52 credits

General Studies (G-acronym)*                                                                                32 credits

At-Some-Distance (ASD)                                                                                         16 credits

Total Credits                                                                                                               128 credits

*Spanish or another modern language is recommended for Public Health majors.

 Graduation with Distinction

Students who earn an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher, a PUBH GPA of 3.5 or higher, a B- or higher in all PUBH courses, and who receive approval from the full PUBH faculty will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with distinction.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the public health program can be explored using the Degree Works web-based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Public Health website.

Graduates of the Community Health Education concentration are eligible to take the examination to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). NCHEC is solely responsible for determining if CHES will be awarded to any individual candidate.

+Health Administration students may want to officially declare a minor in Business given the courses required for the major fulfills the minor as well.

*Suggested Health Administration electives: In consultation with a PUBH preceptor, students are      advised to select a cluster of course from Business, GERO, WGSS, HHM, Childhood Studies,  Cannabis Studies, or any other health / population health related courses of study.

Dual BS/MPH Degree Program In Public Health Public Health 

Public Health offers a 4+1-year Dual Degree option, where students can obtain both a Bachelor of Science (B.S) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in the CHED Concentration. The accelerated dual degree provides students with the foundational skills, education, research experience and service needed to fill leadership roles in public health settings, including state or local health departments, federal health agencies, voluntary health agencies, public utilities, private industry, consulting firms, hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations.

Full details about the curriculum can be accessed on the Public Health website.