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Department of Health Sciences

Health Sciences - Public Health, Bachelor of Science

The focus of this degree is to broadly prepare graduates in basic Public Health content and processes that can be applied within multiple health related disciplines and in graduate study. This degree plan focuses on community health promotion within the broad umbrella of public health. This academic plan is offered at NAU-Flagstaff and via the Internet. Acceptance into the Internet program requires a separate initial admission process; see the Distance Learning in Health Sciences website for further information.

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Career Accordion Open

Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Public Health?

Are you looking for a career that protects and improves the health of individuals, families, and communities? Are you interested in understanding the impact of social and behavioral determinants of health, such as income, environment, and access to health care? If so, our program might be perfect for you. You will be prepared in basic public health concepts and processes that can be applied within multiple health-related disciplines and in graduate study. Our program can provide a convenient, flexible way for students and working professionals to complete their bachelor degree, giving you an avenue to success. We will prepare you for employment in hospitals, schools, government health agencies, private industry, and nongovernmental organizations.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Health Educator
  • Prevention program coordinator
  • Researcher
  • Emergency response planner
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Epidemiologist
  • Community college instructor

Requirements Accordion Closed

University Requirements

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's liberal studies, diversity, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
    The full policy can be viewed here.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 71-72 units of major requirements
  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion120
Major GPA2.5
Highest Mathematics RequiredSTA 270
Fieldwork Experience/InternshipRequired
University Honors ProgramOptional
Some online/blended courseworkRequired
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-ARecommended
Progression Plan LinkNot Available

Purpose Statement

The mission of the Public Health Program is to prepare students to promote and protect the health of the public using appropriate processes, concepts, and principles.
 
Public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally, regionally, and globally. Public health professionals focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy lifestyles. They confront global health issues, such as improving equitable access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. Our graduates are prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs; act as a resource person; administer services; and communicate and advocate for health equity. They pursue graduate degrees in health-related fields and obtain employment in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, and research institutions.

Student Learning Outcomes
 
Upon completion of their degree in Health Sciences - Public Health, students will be able to:  
 
Program Outcome 1: Overview of Public Health:

  • Apply knowledge of the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society to advocate for public health.
Program Outcome 2: Role and Importance of Data in Public Health:
  • Apply the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection; and analyze and use these data through evidence-based approaches in public health practice.
Program Outcome 3: Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges:
  • Utilize an understanding of the concepts of population health; and apply the basic processes, approaches, and interventions to identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
Program Outcome 4: Human Health:
  • Apply critical thinking to the underlying science of human health and disease to support opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
Program Outcome 5: Determinants of Health:
  • Apply knowledge of the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health to reduce and eliminate health disparities.
Program Outcome 6: Project Implementation:
  • Apply critical thinking and knowledge of the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation to inform project planning, assessment, and evaluation.
Program Outcome 7: Overview of the Health System:
  • Apply knowledge of the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system, as well as the differences in health systems in other countries, to promote health within and across these structures.
Program Outcome 8: Health Policy, Law, Ethics, and Economics:
  • Apply a critical understanding of the 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 to advocate for and promote the public’s health.
Program Outcome 9: Health Communication:
  • Utilize the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology for effective public health promotion and agency functioning.
Program Outcome 10: Professional Conduct:
  • Demonstrate the professional conduct required to achieve and maintain employment and collaboration with communities, including respectful communication, collaboration, initiative, respect for diversity, and cultural sensitivity and competency.

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Major Requirements
  • Take the following 71 - 72 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course and a minimum GPA of 2.5:

    Health sciences core (19 units)

    • NTS 135 (3 units)
    • BIO 181, BIO 201, BIO 201L (7 units)
    • HS 200 (3 units)
    • FW 343 (3 units)
    • HS 390W (3 units)
    Public Health (52-53 units)
    • BIO 202, BIO 202L (4 units)
    • PSY 230 or STA 270 (3-4 units)
    • HS 205, HS 250, HS 300, HS 305, HS 306, HS 313, HS 317, HS 404, HS 410, HS 417 (30 units)
    • Additional HS-related coursework - Working with Specific Populations and Settings
    • Select from (3 units):
      • AIS 450
      • ANT 406, ANT 480
      • CCJ 325, CCJ 410, CCJ 425
      • CST 323
      • NTS 415
      • PADM 301
      • PRM 326
      • SOC 316, SOC 318, SOC 360
      • SW 401, SW 418
      • WGS 301, WGS 340
      • Additional electives in consultation with your advisor.
    • HS 403C which satisfies NAU's senior capstone requirement. (3 unts)

    Internship Option or Additional electives (9 units)
    • HS 408 (0-9 units)
    • HS electives (3-9)
    HS 408 is optional.  If you choose not to complete an internship you must complete 9 units of HS Electives with at least 6 units upper-division.  If you choose to complete an internship you must complete 3 units of upper-division electives.
General Electives
  • Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit. 

    You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

Availability Accordion Closed

Your degree is available at these campuses:

Campus Availability

  • Flagstaff
  • Online

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