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Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Major in Health Promotion features a broad-based foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and an ecological perspective of public health and the role that health promotion plays in preventing disease while maintaining or increasing quality of life. Graduates of the program will possess an understanding of the contributions of core public health disciplines to the nations health. At the same time, graduates will also learn how to apply knowledge and skills relating to the interactions and interdependencies of health behavior, the physical and social environment, and public policy to affect health at local, state, national and international levels.The program is designed to prepare entry-level health promotion professionals to begin careers in a variety of community health agencies: Official health agencies, voluntary health agencies, community based/non-governmental agencies, medical care services, education agencies, and business and industry. Within these practice settings, entry-level health promotion practitioners address significant health challenges from individual, family, group, organization, neighborhood, community, and societal perspectives. Graduates will apply their competencies to assess needs, plan and implement programs, assess program outcomes, communicate and advocate for public health issues, and participate in the development of health promotion as a profession. Upon graduation, entry-level health promotion practitioners will be eligible to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) through the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing, Inc.Background ChecksAgencies used by the School of Health and Human Services may require criminal background and/or drug screening prior to acceptance of a student into an internship or practicum. Students who do not pass the background check and

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of the core disciplines of public health and their relationship to the ecology of public health.
Review the development of professions and their evolving role in society in the context of health promotion.
Compare and contrast the resources used to determine the health status of local, state, national, and international groups, communities, and populations.
Differentiate between the behavioral, biological, environmental, and health services contributions to health from a historical perspective.
Describe behavioral and non-behavioral variables contributing to morbidity and mortality produced by chronic and communicable diseases and injuries.
Compare and contrast the contributions of distress, nutrition, physical activity, and the misuse and abuse of drugs to morbidity and mortality among specific groups, communities, and societies.
Assess the need for health promotion programs in response to the characteristics of diverse communities of interest using primary and secondary data.
Plan health promotion using measurable structural, process, and outcome objectives to address identified needs.
Employ a variety of behavioral, environmental, and policy strategies and tactics to implement health promotion programs.
Monitor progress of health promotion program in meeting stated goals and objectives.
Assess the progress and outcomes of a health promotion program in relation to established standards.
Categorize communication and advocacy strategies and tactics according to the influence of behavior, environment, and public policy according to a given health need in a given community.
Incorporate ethical and cultural considerations in health promotion programs.
Evaluate careers in health promotion that incorporate lifelong learning and high professional standards.

Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with a Concentration in Health Promotion, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below including the university general education requirements, 45 quarter units of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 quarter units of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. The following courses are specific degree requirements. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission requirements for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.

Category 1-Writing (10.5 units required)

Category 2-Speech and Communication (4.5 quarter units required)