2016-2017

Health Sciences - Public Health, Bachelor of Science

Department of Health Sciences

College of Health and Human Services

The focus of this degree is to broadly prepare graduates in basic Public Health content and processes that can be applied within multiple health related disciplines and in graduate study. This degree plan focuses on community health promotion within the broad umbrella of public health. This academic plan is offered at NAU-Flagstaff and via the Internet. Acceptance into the Internet program requires a separate initial admission process; see the Distance Learning in Health Sciences website for further information.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 68 units of major requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 2.5
Highest Mathematics Required STA 270
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
University Honors Program Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Student Learning Outcomes

B.S. in Health Science – Public Health
 
Upon completion of their degree in Health Sciences - Public Health, students will demonstrate their knowledge and ability to apply the following processes, concepts, and principles to promote and protect the health of the public.
 
The summarized outcomes are below.  See the full list of learning outcomes.

  • Overview of Public Health:  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: The basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use, and analysis and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice.
  • Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges: The concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
  • Human Health: The underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
  • Determinants of Health: The socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.
  • Project Implementation: The fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment, and evaluation.
  • Overview of the Health System: The fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system as well as to the differences in systems in other countries. 
  • Health Policy, Law, Ethics, and Economics: Basic 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 Communication: Basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.


  • MILESTONE REQUIREMENTS

    Students in the public health program are required to meet specific criteria to be eligible for certain upper-division coursework. Enforcement will occur through a prerequisite milestone requirement for the following HS courses:
    Public Health milestone requirements are as follows:
    • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    • Have completed 36 units of coursework
    • Have completed 15 units of liberal studies coursework in discipline studies with a GPA of at least 2.5
    • Have completed HS 200 with a grade of "C" or better
    • Have completed HS 205 with a grade of "C" or better
    • Have a grade of "C" or better in the most recent English foundations coursework (ENG 105 or equivalent)
Major Requirements
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.