Apr 16, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog | 2015-2016

Undergraduate Catalog | 2015-2016 Previous Edition

Public Health, B.S.P.H.

Public health is the science and art of promoting health, preventing disease and injury, and prolonging life through organized efforts of society. Public health activities focus on entire populations rather than on individual patients, and public health professionals monitor and diagnose the health concerns of entire communities and promote healthy practices and behaviors to assure our populations stay healthy.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) prepares students through didactic and practice experiences to apply core principles of public health education within a variety of community settings and to advance the public health profession. The program values professional and academic integrity and ethics, collegiality, engagement with the community, and responsiveness and innovation in its pursuit of attaining the highest possible standards of health and well-being.

The BSPH program is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners with knowledge and skills in the core concepts of public health, including health behavior, research and statistics in health, environmental health, epidemiology, and health administration, as well as in the planning, evaluation, organization, and conduct of community and public health services. The planned course of study adopts an interdisciplinary focus and includes the development of tailored skills through the successful completion of a minor, electives, and experiential learning. The degree will prepare students who are interested in pursuing health-related careers in health promotion, program delivery, health communication, community organization, and behavior change for entry level to mid-level positions in service and research in health departments, public health agencies, community-based organizations, outreach education programs, hospitals, private health organizations, and corporate wellness settings. The program is designed to appeal to students with interests in “population” rather than “clinical” health. Continued study in the Department of Public Health Sciences is also an option for those interested in graduate degrees in Public Health or Health Administration. For details on these programs, see the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

Additional Admission Requirements

Students must apply for admission to the Major in Public Health (BSPH). Applications are accepted from students who will have completed 60 credit hours by the time they begin to take courses in the major, including the following 25 hours of courses listed in the PRPH Major (whether or not the student declared the PRPH Major): HLTH 2101 , HLTH 3101 , HLTH 4280 , Quantitative courses (6 hours), Science courses (7 hours), and Social Science courses (3 hours). (NOTE: Students will complete any remaining PRPH requirements following admission to the BSPH.)

Admissions only occur for Fall semesters and the number of students admitted each Fall is limited. BSPH admission is competitive and based on the following:

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for 60 credit hours
GPA for completed courses including HLTH 2101 , HLTH 3101 , HLTH 4280 , Quantitative courses (6 hours), Science courses (7 hours), and Social Science courses (3 hours)
Goal statement and application for admission

Applications for admission should be submitted the spring semester prior to eligibility to begin the BSPH Major in the Fall semester. Applications for admission are due in February of each year, and include academic transcripts, application, and a statement of future career goals.

Degree Requirements: Pre-Public Health Major (PRPH)

(Guidelines for Freshman and Sophomore Years)

Applicants who satisfy freshman or transfer requirements for admission to the University and are interested in the BSPH can declare the Pre-Public Health Major (PRPH). It includes a combination of 70-75 hours of courses that fulfills the UNC Charlotte General Education requirements; declaration of a minor; and serves as preparatory coursework for the Public Health major (BSPH).

General Education Courses (31-34 credit hours)

For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program .

Foundation Courses (15 credit hours)

Prerequisite Core Courses (9 credit hours)

Health-Related Communication Courses (6 credit hours)

Select two of the following:

Minor Courses (15-26 credit hours)

Choose any minor on campus except the Minor in Public Health.

Unrestricted Elective Courses

As needed for the above courses to add up to 70-75 credit hours total. Study abroad courses are included.

Degree Requirements: Public Health Major (BSPH)

(Guidelines for Junior and Senior Years)

The Public Health major includes 50credit hours of courses that are designed to meet the criteria established by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for accreditation of public health degree programs. Students completing the curriculum will be eligible to sit for the nationally-recognized Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Major Courses (32 credit hours)

Restricted Elective Courses (18 credit hours)

Culture and Health Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

Select two of the following:

Health-Related Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Select four of the following:

AFRS 4630 - Environmental and Public Health in Africa (3)
COMM 3115 - Health Communication (3)
ECON 3141 - Health Economics (3)
KNES 3260 - Nutrition for the Physically Active (3)
KNES 4130 - Applied Nutrition (3)
POLS 3125 - Healthcare Policy (3)
PHIL 3230 - Healthcare Ethics (3)
SOCY 4130 - Sociology of Health and Illness (3)
SOCY 4168 - Sociology of Mental Health and Illness (3)
Any HLTH 3000-level or 4000-level course, except HLTH 3101 or HLTH 4280 (3)
Any 3000- or 4000-level health-related study abroad course 3 Credit hours

Degree Total = 120-125 Credit Hours

Suggested Curriculum

For a suggested curriculum progression toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.

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