Public Health - B.S.
The Public Health bachelor's degree program prepares graduates for entry-level health-profession careers in such areas as health education, health promotion, research, monitoring and evaluation, and health and policy administration. Additionally, it prepares graduates seeking post-baccalaureate entry into graduate programs such as public health, public policy, health management, law and health informatics. Students can take additional electives in management that can help to prepare graduates for entry-level health-profession careers in such areas as health administration and management, consulting, quality improvement in healthcare, and policy administration.
The curriculum is based on a strong foundation in the population health sciences along with coursework in the arts and sciences. Content in the areas of health and wellness is emphasized. An interdisciplinary team of educators provides holistic exposure to nutrition, exercise science, psychology, sociology, public health, business and economics, and their importance to patient-centered, humanistic healthcare delivery.
The Public Health degree program emphasizes the application and synthesis of knowledge and develops graduates who are the problem-solvers and critical-thinkers of tomorrow in both domestic and global health systems and communities.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Apply fundamental biologic, socio-economic, behavioral, ethical, cultural and spiritual principles to the practice of health and wellness.
- Synthesize foundational knowledge and the results of inquiry and research.
- Effectively communicate health and wellness principles to diverse populations.
- Work collaboratively as a member of a health and wellness team to improve individual and community outcomes.
- Compare and discuss major local, national and global health challenges related to healthcare access and outcomes.
Public Health students take basic science courses in anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology and life science. Courses examine patterns of population health and disease, the organization and social structures through which health services are delivered/received, and community needs assessment and planning. Additional emphasis is placed on courses in counseling, health education, psychology and health policy. In consultation with advisers, students may select courses that specifically prepare them for positions in the public health arena, such as health policy analysts, consultants, health promotion coordinators and educators, and a variety of jobs in both state and federal government.
Public Health
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| CULN2414 | Cooking for Health and Wellness | 3 |
| HSC1010 | Introduction to Health Professions | 1 |
| HSC1100 | Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HSC1230 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HSC2100 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HSC2230 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| HSC2400 | Research Methods for Health Science | 3 |
| HSC3300 | Comparative Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| HSC4100 | Health Policy, Ethics and the Law | 3 |
| HSC4900 | Data and Evidence in Health: Research Capstone | 3 |
| PSYC2002 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SCI1015 | Introduction to Life Science | 3 |
| SCI2020 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| SCI2031 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Choose 18 credits from the following: * | 18 | |
Health Science | ||
| Community Nutrition | ||
| Health Education and Program Planning | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| How Drugs Work | ||
Leadership/Management | ||
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Introduction to Business and Management | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Finance | ||
| Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | ||
| Foundations of Leadership Studies | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
Social/Behavioral | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Psychological Issues of Substance Use Disorders and Compulsive Behaviors | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Sociology of Aging | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| College of Health & Wellness Internship Ic | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Ethics: A Global Perspective | ||
One course from ART, HIST, HUM‡, LIT or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Algebra (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Science | 3 | |
| Nutrition | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Introductory Psychology | ||
One course from ANTH°°, ECON, LEAD, PSCI or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 15 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
| * | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills are assessed in ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
Internships will be available but they will not be required. For online students who do not wish to register for an internship, 3000+ level college discipline-specific courses can be taken in place of the internship.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?