Public Health

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

The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership (BSIPH) program prepares students in a community of learning, dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition, to lead and serve in diverse sectors of public health and healthcare to promote health and prevent disease in human populations.

Uniquely structured as a double major, this program allows students to complete their studies in only three years, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Healthcare Leadership. By integrating these two fields, the curriculum not only covers core public health principles-including health behavior, health services administration, environmental health, epidemiology, and biostatistics-but also emphasizes essential leadership skills needed to drive change within diverse healthcare settings.

Through an interprofessional approach, students develop the ability to collaborate effectively within diverse healthcare teams, tackle complex health challenges from a variety of perspectives, and systematically identify, assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the health needs of populations to promote and protect community well-being. Additionally, the strong science foundation of the public health and healthcare leadership courses prepares graduates for success in advanced studies, such as an MPH or other health-related graduate programs, including medicine. This unique combination of rigorous academic grounding and leadership focus equips students for diverse career paths across various roles within the healthcare sector.

Purpose

The purpose of the BSIPH degree is to prepare graduates to pursue entry-level positions across a wide range of sectors within public health and healthcare fields.

Objectives

The B.S. in Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership 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.
Characterize leadership skills of service minded, purpose driven, ethical decision making, empowering individuals and visionary perspectives.
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.

Requirements for Admission to the BSIPH Program

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

First-year admission to Valparaiso University
- Biology, Chemistry, and science with a lab senior year
- Math senior year
- 3.000 GPA and above
- No grades below C-
Internal Transfer to BSIPH Program
- Minimum criteria for internal transfer admission are a cumulative 2.000 GPA and grade requirements as noted in the Progression Standards below.

Students in the BSIPH program who are eligible for admission to the BSIPH/MPH 3+1 option will be invited to enroll in graduate level public health courses in their third 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 and healthcare leadership major, and have completed the program of study through the second year. Students who are admitted into the BSIPH/MPH 3+1 during their third year will be admitted directly into the MPH upon graduation from the BSIPH 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, healthcare leadership, and interprofessional education (IPE) courses. A public health, healthcare leadership or IPE course may not be repeated more than once. Dismissal from the BSIPH 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, healthcare leadership, or IPE 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.

Bachelor of Science in Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership/ Master of Public Health 3+1 Degree

During the second year, students who have a 3.000 cumulative GPA, who have a 3.000 GPA in the required public health and healthcare leadership courses, who have not earned grades of less than C in science courses and courses required for the Integrated Public Health and Healthcare Leadership major, and who have completed the program of study through the second year, will be invited to enroll in the 3+1 program.

Admission Requirements

Students who are admitted into the BSIPH/MPH 3+1 during their third year will be admitted directly into the MPH program upon graduation from their BSIPH program assuming they continue to meet the progression requirements.

Progression

Requirements for progression include maintenance of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000 average in all graduate level classes, and no grades of less than B- in any required graduate courses. The Graduate level course requirements for the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree are available online and in the Graduate Catalog.

Minor

A BSIPH student may declare a minor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions or another college. The minor is noted on the student’s academic record.

Course Intensification

A BSIPH student may propose a special project for earning one extra credit in one Public Health or Healthcare Leadership course in which they are enrolled in a given semester. The following regulations pertain to this option for a student:

Student must have a public health and healthcare leadership GPA of 2.500 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 lies 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.

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.

Association of Aspiring Healthcare Professionals

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