May 18, 2024  
General Catalog 2024-2025 
    
General Catalog 2024-2025

Public Health, B.S.


The Department of Public Health  

The Public Health Bachelor of Science curriculum consists of a core of five courses providing a foundation of knowledge and skills critical to the theory and practice of the health professional. In addition, students complete a specialized cluster of courses in Public Health that provides the depth and breadth for the area.

To complete the Public Health, B.S. major, students must complete General Education requirements (48 units), Public Health core courses (27 units), selected elective courses (15 units), and any additional requirements selected (15 units), the upper-division writing skills requirement, Multicultural and International (M/I), and additional electives. Students are encouraged to complete the additional requirements prior to the major courses as the courses may meet General Education requirements, and they provide a foundation for the courses in Public Health. Elective units also may be used toward earning a certificate.

Public Health students are advised to obtain an advising roadmap from the department office. The roadmap includes the list of required courses. It is strongly recommended that students follow the coursework shown in the roadmap. Students need to consult with their advisers for decisions regarding major and minor courses. All substitutions must be approved by the department chair. Classes offered in the Public Health Department may require field assignments.

Due to the increasing number of opportunities in the area of health, we have structured courses in epidemiology, community and environmental health to complement basic courses in health behavior, health education methods, contemporary health issues, disease, drugs, and human sexuality. The curriculum is designed to prepare individuals not only to be competent instructors in the health areas, but to be health educators in many segments of our society. Upon completion of the degree, students would be eligible to take the certified test to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Industry, business, labor, and the military all seek knowledgeable individuals to plan and direct health delivery and information services. Advanced study in health systems and evaluation techniques of health systems is available to qualified undergraduate and graduate students.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (42 units)


Other Degree Requirements


In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

  • American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
  • General Education Requirements (48 units)
  • Multicultural and International (MI)
  • Upper-division Writing
  • Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total Units: 120*


*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. These courses include BIOL 10  (Area B2), PH 90  (Area E), PH 92  (Area B4), and PH 161  (Area IB). See advisor for details.

Advising Notes


  1. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for acceptance into Public Health
  2. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses
  3. Public Health majors may not apply CR/NC grading toward the major requirements. An exception to this is PH 188I , which is a mandatory CR/NC course.