Public Health

Associate Professor Li (Program Director); Assistant Professors Samis-Smith, Spain; Clinical Assistant Professors Migler, Sheets, Zart.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program prepares students in a community of learning, dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition, to lead and serve in the field of public health to promote health and prevent disease in human populations.

The interprofessional curriculum is designed to prepare entry level public health practitioners with knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the core concepts of public health including health behavior, health services administration, environmental health, epidemiology, and statistics as well as in the ability to identify, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the needs of populations to promote and protect the health of the community. The BSPH courses provide the strong science background necessary for academic success in the MPH program and in any graduate health-related field, including medicine.

Purpose

The purpose of the BSPH degree is to prepare graduates to pursue entry-level positions within varied public health settings.

Objectives

The B.S. in Public Health graduate will:

Demonstrate proficiency in foundational knowledge and skills required for public health professionals.
Engage in the processes of critical thinking, communication, change, and lifelong learning.
Integrate public health ethics, values, service, and leadership skills.
Evaluate the influences of culture, economics, ethics, law, policy, politics, society, and technology on a population’s health.
Promote the health of populations in dynamic public health environments through experiential learning.

Admission Requirements

Freshman students who have declared public health as their major will be admitted directly into the public health program.

Students in the BSPH program who are eligible for admission to the BSPH/MPH 4+1 option will be invited to enroll in graduate level public health courses in their senior year if they have a 3.000 GPA, have earned grades of a C or better in science courses and courses required for the public health major, and have completed the program of study through the junior year. Students who are admitted into the BSPH/MPH 4+1 during their senior year will be admitted directly into the MPH upon graduation from the BSPH assuming they continue to meet the progression requirements.

Progression

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 to progress in the program. A student must earn a C- or better in all public health and interprofessional education courses. A public health or interprofessional education course may not be repeated more than once. Dismissal from the public health program occurs when a student incurs two infractions. Infractions include: earning a cumulative grade point average that is less than 2.000; or earning a grade of D+ (1.300) or lower in any public health or interprofessional education course. Students who are dismissed from the program do have an opportunity to appeal the decision with the College of Nursing and Health Professions Academic Standards Committee.

Students are required to present evidence of a criminal background check and a negative drug screen during the first semester of admission to the program. Students will also have to repeat a criminal background check, negative drug screen, and any additional requirements as required by the agency a second time during the fall semester of their graduating year, prior to the practicum placement. Drug screening can be requested randomly. Students are responsible for meeting these requirements according to CONHP policies.

Minor

A public health student may declare a minor in another college provided that no more than six credit hours of courses required for the Public Health major are used in fulfilling requirements of the minor. The minor is noted on the student’s academic record.

Course Intensification

A public health student may propose a special project for earning one extra credit in one public health course towards the required 12 elective credits for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree. The following regulations pertain to this option for a student:

Student must have a public health GPA of 2.700 or above.
The course must be offered in the College of Nursing and Health Professions for three or more credits.
Student must meet with the academic advisor to determine if course intensification is appropriate. The initiative and responsibility for developing a satisfactory proposal lie with the student.
Student must submit a one-page proposal for the intensification project and the petition online. It will be forwarded to the advisor, the instructor of the course, and the dean for approval.

Association of Aspiring Healthcare Professionals

All public health students are invited to join this interprofessional association in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Transportation

Students are responsible for transportation to and from all practicum and community agencies and for transportation associated with home visits. Students will be required to participate in a wide range of experiences; consequently, access to a car is necessary for the internship and capstone courses.