Public Health Major

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The program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve population health outcomes through careers in public health and prepare them for further professional training or graduate education in public health and related fields. Students will develop their understanding and ability to identify social and structural determinants of public health, address health inequities, and promote health as a human right.

Program Goals:

Develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills to contribute to public health research and practice
Examine how identity, culture, position, and power influence health
Gain real-world experience in collaborating to solve problems affecting population health
Advocate for antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of public health to promote social justice and health equity

Program Learning Outcomes

Overview of Public Health: Describe the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society
Role and Importance of Data in Public Health: Apply fundamental concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, analysis, and use
Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges: Explain the concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches, and evidence-based interventions that identify and advance the major health-related needs and concerns of populations
Human Health: Discuss the underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course
Determinants of Health: Analyze socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, historical, structural, and other factors that affect human health and contribute to health disparities
Project Implementation: Identify the fundamental concepts and features of public health project implementation, including planning, assessment, and evaluation
Overview of the Health System: Define the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system and compare with systems in other countries
Health Policy, Law, Ethics, and Economics: Delineate the fundamental 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
Health Communications: Apply the fundamental concepts of public health communication to inform and create activities for improving health of individuals and communities

Public Health Major Curriculum

Degree Course Requirements:

128 total units to graduate; at least 56-units within the major and all major courses require a C grade or higher.

Completion of the Core Curriculum (44-units)

12-units in satisfying areas B1, B2 and A1 are required Support Courses within the major
At least two (2) courses within the Core or within the major must be Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) and Diversity (CD) designated courses.

Support courses (12-units)

Public health lower-division courses (16-units)

Public health upper-division courses (20-units)

Public health electives (8-units)

Honors Option

An application is required, in addition to the two courses listed below, and completing an oral presentation of thesis work. Please see Public Health Major with Honors .

Major Requirements (56 units)

Support Courses (12 units)

Public Health Lower Division (16 units)

Public Health Upper Division (20 units)

Public Health Electives (8 units)

BSPH majors are required to take 2 electives (8 units total). Below is a list of approved electives. Please note any prerequisite or corequisite courses in the course catalog. If you would like to petition for a course not listed here to count towards your major, please complete this Elective Approval Request Form.

Biology

Business

BUS 201 - Principles of Financial Accounting
BUS 202 - Principles of Managerial Accounting
BUS 304 - Foundations of Organizational Behavior
BUS 347 - Negotiation & Critical Conversations
BUS 363 - Consumer Behavior
BUS 367 - Marketing for Social Change
BUS 448 - Emotional & Cultural Intelligence
BUS 476 - Social Entrepreneurship
BUS 489 - Optimizing Revenue in Hospitality Industry

Critical Diversity Studies

CDS 200 - Intersectional Theory

Communication

Environmental Science

Health Services

HS 501 - Intro to the Techniques for Healthy CooK: Serving Vulnerable Populations

International Studies

Sociology

Degree Planner

First-Year

Fall	Units
BSPH 201 - Intro Public and Global Health	4
BIOL 115 - Human Physiology	3
BIOL 116 - Human Physiology Lab	1
RHET 110 - Written Communication I (prerequisite to RHET 120 - Written Communication II )	4
First Year Seminar or Core	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BSPH 202 - Health Equity and Disparities	4
Core - A1: RHET 111 - Public Spkng/Health Profession	4
Core - A2: RHET 120 - Written Communication II	4
Core Course	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
BSPH 232 - Environmental Health and Justice	4
BSPH Elective 1	4
Core Course	4
Core Course	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BSPH 235 - Health Policy and Equity	4
Core - B1: MATH 102 - Biostatistics	4
Core Course	4
Core Course	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
BSPH 421 - Introduction to Epidemiology	4
BSPH 433 - Community Health Practice	4
Core Course	4
Minor Course	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BSPH 410 - Health Education and Promotion	4
BSPH Elective 2	4
Core Course	4
Minor Course	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
BSPH 441 - Public Health Internship	4
Minor Course	4
Minor Course	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
BSPH 442 - Public Health Capstone	4
Minor Course	4
Elective	4
Elective	4
Total Semester Units	16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.