The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education program is designed to equip students to address critical shortages associated with health-related education and optimal healthcare resource utilization. Communities will benefit from these students’ expertise in the University's geographic region, especially due to the lack of access to health care, the abundant geriatric population, and the current crisis impacting our nation. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education will prepare students to develop and impact practices and policies that respect and respond to diversity in communities through the translation of evidence-based research. Students will be positioned to gain employment with healthcare systems, schools, health departments, insurance companies, and other community agencies upon successful completion of the program.
Essential Performance Requirements
Specific communication, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral skills provide students with the ability to carry out the responsibilities of a public health education major during the program. A student must, with or without reasonable accommodation, possess and maintain the following attributes and abilities to be successful while completing the curriculum:
Emotional Stability
Cognitive Processing
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Communication
Appreciation of and Value for Cultural Diversity
Client Information Privacy Compliance
Capstone/Field Experience Requirements
Public Health Education majors are required to complete the Public Health Education Capstone course (PHE 405) in the spring of their Senior year. The course includes 135 hours of major field experience. It is the responsibility of the student to work in tandem with the PHE Academic Advisor and PHE Program Coordinator to identify a site for their major field experience. Each site must be approved by the PHE Program Coordinator by the end of the Spring semester prior to taking PHE 403. The formal process for site approval may take up to 30 days, necessitating foresight and planning on the part of the student to secure approval by the deadline.
Note: Students must pass a 10-panel drug screen and a criminal background check, as approved by the PHE program, at the end of the semester prior to taking PHE 403. The associated costs are the student's responsibility.
Post Baccalaureate Opportunities
Optional Certification
Graduates that meet the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing guidelines will be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination (https://www.nchec.org/ches-exam-eligibility). While the certification is not required for entry into practice, holding this certification indicates to potential employers the demonstration of understanding in this field.
Graduate School Eligibility
Graduates will possess the foundation necessary to apply to master’s degree programs in Public Health Education. Consult the PHE academic advisor and the University's Career Services office for more information regarding the process for applying to graduate school.
Degree Requirements (Semester Hours)
General Education Core
Note: The Core should include
Required Natural Science Courses (15)
Required Education/Behavioral/Social Science Courses (19)
| ID 201 | Medical Terminology for Health Professions | 1 |
| PSY 211 | Developmental Psychology-Lifespan | 3 |
| PSY 308 | Psychology of Learning & Cognition | 3 |
| PSY 351 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 211 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SOW 201 | Introduction to Human Services & Counseling | 3 |
| SOW 360/EDU 360 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
Required Public Health Educator Courses (27)
| PHE 220 | Introduction to Public Health Education | 3 |
| PHE 301 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PHE 302 | Environmental Health Issues | 3 |
| PHE 340 | Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
| Or | |
| HPPE 240 | Nutrition for Heath & Performance | 3 |
| PHE 400 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PHE 403 | Principles of Public Health Education | 4 |
| PHE 404 | Health Communication & Social Marketing | 4 |
| PHE 405 | Public Health Education Capstone | 4 |
For the Bachelor of Science Degree: Computer Literacy (3)
General Electives (15)
Recommended electives include:
*At least 42 total hours of course work must be upper-level (300- or 400-level)