Public Health

College: Social Sciences and Public Policy
Degree: BS
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is designed to educate and prepare students in the policy, practice, and methods of public health. The program of study includes training in each of the fundamental areas of public health: epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health policy & management, social & behavioral sciences, and biostatistics. In addition to the core curriculum composed of 21 hours, students will select 12 additional credit hours of public health electives from at least two academic departments. These courses will complement the training provided by core courses by focusing on specific aspects of population health and the healthcare system. The BSPH provides the training required for entry-level public health careers found in non-profit organizations, government agencies, health corporations, and health care facilities.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: None
It is strongly recommended that students pursuing a major in Public Health take a 2000-level Statistics (STA) course as part of their lower-division or general education coursework.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours of coursework with a minimum FSU GPA of 2.00 and most of the General Education requirements met, including freshman English composition and mathematics, or an AA Degree.

Requirements

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (33 hours)
The major in Public Health requires 33 hours with a grade of C or better in each course; at least 21 credit hours must be taken in upper level (3000 and 4000) courses.

Required core courses:
PHC 4101 (3) Introduction to Public Health
PHC 4030 (3) Introduction to Epidemiology
PHC 4157 (3) Health Policy and Society
PHC 4470 (3) Health Behavior and Health Promotion
PHC 4047 (3) Environmental Epidemiology
PHC 4069 (3) Biostatics

Complete a major approved methods course from the following options: GIS4421, GIS4330, GIS4043 with Lab, or PHC4721

Elective Courses:
Twelve (12) hours of coursework from at least two separate departments must be selected from the approved course list. To see a list of approved elective courses, visit the undergraduate program page at http://www.coss.fsu.edu/publichealth/.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or other University-approved course will fulfill the requirement for this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 33*
Minor Coursework 12
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*NOTE: Hours taken to meet General Education requirements cannot be used to fulfill the 33 required hours in Public Health.*

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. At least 18 hours must be completed at the 3000 level or above within the major.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major (with Baccalaureate): health educators, hospital patient advocates, social marketing coordinators, home visitation workers, restaurant / sanitation inspectors, environmental science workers, disaster management technicians, biohazard inspector technicians, health insurance workers, data collectors, researcher lab technicians, pharmaceutical sales, data entry clerks, clinic coordinators, health care office personnel, prevention program planners, school health educators, policy advocates for special populations.

Representative Employers: Federal, State, and Local Governments, Health Corporations, Non-Profit Organizations and Health Care Facilities