Public Health (PUBH)

This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of public health as both a discipline and a profession. Students will examine the historical development, core principles, and global significance of public health, including the 10 Essential Services of Public Health. The course introduces the five foundational areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral health, and health policy, and explores how they support public health practices. Students analyze health information, examine healthcare systems, and investigate the social determinants of health that influence population health outcomes.

This course provides an introduction to community health and its role in promoting population well-being. Students will explore the foundations of public health, including disease prevention, health promotion, and the social determinants of health. Topics include professionalism, community outreach and advocacy, and addressing health disparities in diverse populations. Emphasis will be placed on identifying at-risk populations, understanding public health systems and policies, and evaluating support resources. Students will also develop skills in effective communication, health education strategies to engage and empower communities.

This course provides students with supervised field experience in a public health setting. Students will work/observe alongside public health professionals and college faculty to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts. Through participation in environmental health or community health initiatives, students will develop practical skills and gain firsthand insight into public health practices.

This course explores the development, implementation, and impact of health policy in the United States, emphasizing the relationship between public health systems and broader healthcare delivery. Students will analyze public and private policy decisions that shape population health, examine the roles of federal, state, and local agencies, and develop communication and advocacy strategies to influence health policy. Emphasis is placed on ethical considerations, health equity, and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing current public health challenges.

This course introduces students to the practices of o health education and promotion, emphasizing the roles of prevention, behavior change, and basic epidemiologic concepts in improving population health. Students explore primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies across the life course while learning to assess health risks and population needs using epidemiologic data and indicators. Building on foundational public health knowledge, the course examines the behavioral, social, and environmental factors that influence individual and population health decisions. Students also learn methods for developing and implementing educational strategies, motivating behavior change, and connecting individuals and populations to available health resources.

This course provides students with supervised field experience in a public health setting. Students will work alongside public health professionals and college faculty to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts. Through active participation in environmental health or community health initiatives, students will develop practical skills and gain firsthand insight into public health practice. Students will participate in a supervised practicum experience at a local public health district within the state. The total numbers of hours required will vary depending on the expectations of the partnering site. Students will register for academic credit based on the number of hours they plan to complete, with one credit equaling 40 hours of work, two credits equaling 80 hours of work, and 3 credits equaling 125 hours of work.