2024-2025

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 71 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
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The mission of the Public Health Program is to prepare students to promote and protect the health of the public using appropriate processes, concepts, and principles.
 
Public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally, regionally, and globally. Public health professionals focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy lifestyles. They confront global health issues, such as improving equitable access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. Our graduates are prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs; act as a resource person; administer services; and communicate and advocate for health equity. They pursue graduate degrees in health-related fields and obtain employment in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, and research institutions.

Student Learning Outcomes
 

  • Overview of Public Health
    • Apply knowledge of the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society to advocate for public health.
  • Role and Importance of Data in Public Health
    • Apply the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection; and analyze and use these data through evidence-based approaches in public health practice.
  • Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges
    • Utilize an understanding of the concepts of population health; and apply the basic processes, approaches, and interventions to identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
  • Human Health
    • Apply critical thinking to the underlying science of human health and disease to support opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
  • Determinants of Health
    • Apply knowledge of the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health to reduce and eliminate health disparities.
  • Project Implementation
    • Apply critical thinking and knowledge of the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation to inform project planning, assessment, and evaluation.
  • Overview of the Health System
    • Apply knowledge of the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system, as well as the differences in health systems in other countries, to promote health within and across these structures.
  • Health Policy, Law, Ethics, and Economics
    • Apply a critical understanding of the 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 to advocate for and promote the public’s health.
  • Health Communication
    • Utilize the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology for effective public health promotion and agency functioning.
  • Professional Conduct
    • Demonstrate the professional conduct required to achieve and maintain employment and collaboration with communities, including respectful communication, collaboration, initiative, respect for diversity, and cultural sensitivity and competency.

Major Requirements

    • *Denotes approved Liberal Studies and/or Diversity courses

  • Internship Option and/or Additional electives (9 units)
    • Select Internship and/or Electives: 9 units
      • Internship Option: 9 units (6 units internship HS 408, 3 units electives)
      • Additional Electives Only: 9 units

    • If you choose to complete a minor, the Internship Option and/or Additional electives requirement will be satisfied.

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

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.