Oct 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Public Health - Major (BA)


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Department Chair: Mary Dahl Maher, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.N.M., R.N.; Professors: Mary Dahl Maher, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.N.M., R.N., Otieno Kisiara, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Clinical Adjunct Professors: Brenden Bedard, M.P.H., Michael Chen Ph.D., Elizabeth Greener, Ph.D., Christy Richards, M.S., M.P.H., Jennifer Rodriguez, M.S. M.P.H.

A Bachelor’s degree with a major in public health prepares students for an entry level career in a public health area, a Master’s of Public Health (MPH), or an advanced degree in another profession.  In addition, the core major courses in public health contribute significantly to the liberal education of students, helping them become global citizens who can intelligently respond with knowledge, practical skills and leadership to societal issues such as the social determinants of health, the need for health care, good nutrition, decent housing and a sustainable environment.

The BA is appropriate for students who have a strong interest in the socio-cultural aspects of public health. BA students may be interested in a career in social and community health aspects of public health focusing on health education and promotion, public health policy and administration, or non-profit/governmental work.

Students who declare their intent as Public Health Majors will meet with the director of the program to explore their interests in order to identify an academic concentration to design the trajectory of their coursework. This student-directed concentration will be informed by the students’ interests, course availability, and the relevance of those courses selected for an internship, which represents a professional area of interest to them. The students will choose at least three pertinent courses in order to prepare them for a 3-credit internship relevant to their concentration. 


Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the public health major, individuals will meet the LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes, demonstrating through the application of knowledge, skills and responsibilities:

  • The history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in society 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;
  • 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;
  • The underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course;
  • The socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities;
  • The fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment and evaluation;
  • The fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the US health system as well as the differences in systems in other countries;
  • 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;
  • Basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology and be able to apply knowledge in a basic research oriented project.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Concentration Electives


  • Nine credit hours
    • Students choose at least three pertinent courses, with advisor approval, in order to prepare them for a 3-credit internship relevant to their concentration.
    • This student-directed concentration will be informed by the students’ interests, course availability, and relevance to the intended internship.

B.A. Public Health Sample Program


SAMPLE PROGRAM, B.A. in PUBLIC HEALTH
Fall, Freshman Year Spring, Freshman Year
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
Foreign Language with lab 4 Foreign Language with lab 4
FYS PEQ (1) Math 3 BIO.Q 109 Human Biology /BIO.Q 109L  PEQ (3) 4
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 PEQ (4) Visual & Performing Arts 3
PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science  PEQ (2) 3 PBH 202 Global Health   3
PBH 101 Introduction to Public Health   3 Health & Wellness 0
Total Semester Credits 17 Total Semester Credits 17
 
Fall, Sophomore Year Spring, Sophomore Year
PEQ (5) History 3 RES.Q 101 Exploring the World’s Religions  PEQ (7) 3
PHL.Q 101 Philosophical Inquiry  PEQ (6) 3 PEQ (8) English 3
MTH 208 Statistics for Scientists   3 Integrative Studies (1) 3
Concentration Course (1) 3 Concentration Course (2) 3
PBH 103 Epidemiology   3 PBH 201 Public Health Colloquium I   1
EL Pathway 0 DEIB/Liberal Arts 3
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 16
 
Fall, Junior Year Spring, Junior Year
Integrative Studies (2) 3 Integrative Studies (3) 3
PBH 302 Public Health Education Methods   3 PSC 341 Healthcare Politics: U.S. Policy in Comparative Perspective  or NSG 436G Health Care Policy and Delivery in a Global Society   3
Concentration Course (3) 3 PBH 301 Public Health Colloquium II   1
RES 391 Biomedical Ethics  or PHL 391 Biomedical Ethics   3 Electives (Liberal Arts) 6
Elective (Liberal Arts) 3 CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
    Research Methods Course 3
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 16
 
Fall, Senior Year Spring, Senior Year
PBH 483 Public Health Internship I   3 PBH 480 Public Health Senior Capstone   3
Electives (Liberal Arts) 9 PBH 499 Senior Comprehensive Examination   0
    Electives (Liberal Arts) 12
Total Semester Credits 12 Total Semester Credits 15
*Note - students enrolled in Bachelor of Arts programs must earn a minimum of 90 liberal arts credits.

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