Undergraduate BS in Public Health

 

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH - 49 UNITS

Students declaring a public health major need to successfully (grade C- or better) complete a set of prerequisite, core, concentration, and elective courses. The list of these courses is provided below. Please note that not all courses are offered each semester. For more detailed information about the program, course offerings, faculty, and career options, please meet with a faculty advisor, review the CSUF catalogue, or review our academic roadmaps, below.

All public health majors are strongly encouraged to meet with a public health faculty advisor  at least once each semester. Students wishing to pursue careers in the health professions (e.g., medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, optometrists, and veterinarians) are advised to seek additional counseling through the Health Professions Office in GH-223.

The public health program offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in which students can choose to focus in one of five areas: (1) general studies, (2) environmental and occupational health and safety, (3) global health, (4) health education and promotion, and (5) public health nutrition. The department also offers a Minor in Public Health.

Degree Overview

The bachelor of science degree program in public health provides graduates with an understanding of a wide range of health-related topics including: core functions and disciplines of public health, diseases and their causes, distributions of diseases, risk factors and prevention, behavior-change theory and application, health promotion program design, and research and evaluation. This degree emphasizes problem-solving skills and critical thinking while providing a solid foundation in public health.

The bachelor’s degree offers five concentrations:

• General Studies - learn about this field from the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) at: Promoting a Healthy World
• Global Health - for some quick facts about global health, check out the video "The State of Global Health" at: The State of Global Health
• Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (EOHS) - learn more about this field by watching the American Public Health Association's Environmental Health video at: American Public Health Association
• Health Education and Promotion
• Public Health Nutrition

Graduates are prepared for careers or professional studies related to public health, health care, and health promotion in various public and private, clinical and non-clinical settings. With academic advising, the program may also be used to prepare students for national exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), registered environmental health specialist (REHS) or  Associate Safety Professional (ASP).

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available within each program.

Undergraduate Concentrations