Public Health / Bachelor of Science with Organizational Communication Minor

Program: BSPH
Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 48

 

The Public Health program is designed to begin with the basic science and foundational health courses. Students are introduced to skills in listening, communicating, and counseling, then continue on to explore the various ways public health is carried out across the United States. As students complete their studies, they apply the theoretical concepts and skills practiced in classroom and lab-based experiences in community-based settings. The program culminates with a review of the Eight Areas of Responsibilities and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) competencies in preparation for the post-graduation certification exam that results in the CHES® credential that employers will be looking for in many cases as a requirement for employment.

Outcome Characteristics

Goals and Learning Outcomes of the BSPH Program

Graduates of the BSPH program will demonstrate competence in the Eight Areas of Responsibilities for a Public Health Professional:

1. Needs Assessment in Health Education/Promotion

2. Program Planning in Health Education/Promotion

3. Health Education Program Implementation

4. Research and Evaluation in Health Education/Promotion

5. Advocacy for Health, Health Education/Promotion, & the Profession

6. Communication for Health Education and Promotion

7. Leadership and Management in Health Education/Promotion

8. Ethics and Professionalism

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is designed to prepare students to:

1. Assess individual and community needs for health information and services;

2. Plan and implement health education strategies, interventions, and programs;

3. Promote health among diverse individuals, groups, and families in various settings 

4. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and behave ethically while fulfilling the Seven Areasof Responsibilities for a health education/promotion specialist;

5. Display positive professional dispositions consistent with current standards of practice;

6. Locate, use, evaluate, and synthesize public health information; and

7. Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms through a variety of  media, to diverse audiences.

Admissions Requirements

Students applying for admission to the Public Health program at Lewis must meet the following admission criteria:

Students must formally apply to the Professional Program in Public Health. To be considered for the program, students must:

1. Complete the General Education Science requirements, COMM 11200 and PSYC 10000 with grades of C or better.

2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0, including transfer credits.

• Complete an application requesting formal admission to the Professional Program and show evidence of meeting the requirements for admission.

  • Submit the application to the Public Health Program Director, who will check to ensure that the student has met the above criteria.

Degree Requirements

Program: BS-PHLT-5

General Education: 55 Credit Hours

Required Core Health Curriculum: 39 Credit Hours
Professional Experience: 9 Credit Hours

Organizational Communication Minor: 18 Credit Hours

Free Electives: 7 Credit Hours

I. Core Courses (39)

HCMT-30000	United States Healthcare System	3
HCMT-31000	Communication in Healthcare Organizations	3
HCMT-43000	Research Methods in Healthcare	3
HCMT-36000	Management Skills for the Healthcare Professional	3
HLTH-20100	Introduction to Health Communication	3
HLTH-22000	Introduction to Public Health	3
HLTH-25500/HUPR-25500	Health Behavior	3
HLTH-27100/HUPR-27100	Nutrition and Exercise	3
HLTH-30200	Health Promotion and Programming	3
HLTH-31100	Epidemiology	3
HLTH-32200	Program Evaluation for Public Health Practice	3
HLTH-34000	Global Health	3
HLTH-41600	Environmental Health	3

II. Professional Experience (9)

A student is eligible for Professional Experience after:

1. Completing their core courses with a minimum 2.50 GPA Public Health courses (with no grade below C) including transfer courses

2. Completing 90 total college credits with a minimum overall 2.50 GPA, including transfer credit

3. Approval from faculty their major advisor* 

    *Obtains verification of requirements completed from the signature of the major advisor.

HLTH-48000	Seminar in Public Health	3
HLTH-49000	Professional Experience in Public Health	6

III. Communication Minor (18)

COMM-11200	Introduction to Human Communication	3
COMM-21100	Interpersonal Communication	3
COMM-21600	Small Group Communication	3
COMM-34900	Organizational Communication	3

Additional 6 Credit Hours - Communication Elective Courses Required