Public health education professionals are a primary source and disseminator of health education materials and programs. Public health specialists assist people in developing positive health attitudes and behavior for safe and healthful community living. Their responsibilities include teaching, research, administrative duties, speaking before civic groups, arranging publicity campaigns, and coordinating the activities of various service organizations and governmental or community agencies. 

 

Public health educators often work for local public health agencies or private industry. 

 

Recommended high school courses for students who wish to pursue this degree program include algebra, trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, biology and physics.
 
USU’s Public Health Education Program

Through the Biology Department, USU offers a bachelor’s degree in public health with an environmental health emphasis for those who wish to pursue a career in environmental health. Graduates of USU’s program are qualified to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

 

[Note:  See also USU's degree programs offered in Community Health Education and School Health Education in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department.]

 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree  in Public Health Education include:

 

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester
BIOL 1610                     Biology I (4 credits)
CHEM 1210                   Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1215                   Chemical Principles Laboratory I (1)
University studies or MATH prerequisite courses* (6)
 
Spring Semester
BIOL 1620 (BLS)            Biology II (4)
CHEM 1220 (BPS)         Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 1225                   Chemical Principles Laboratory (1)
University studies or MATH prerequisite courses* (6)
 
*Students must complete math prerequisites to MATH 1210, Calculus I.
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester
BIOL 2420                     Human Physiology (4)
MATH 1210 (QL)            Calculus I (4)
NFS 1020 (BLS)            Science and Application of Human Nutrition (3)
University studies or elective courses (4-7)
 
Spring Semester
BIOL 3300                     General Microbiology (4)
HEP 2000                     First Aid and Emergency Care (2)
HEP 2500                     Health and Wellness (2)
PUBH 3120                   Family and Community Health (3)
University studies or elective courses (4-7)
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
HEP 3000                     Drugs and Human Behavior (3)
SOC 3330                     Medical Sociology (3)
STAT 3000 (QI)              Statistics for Scientists (3)
University studies or elective courses (4-7)
 
Spring Semester
HEP 3800                     Grant Proposal Writing (3)
PHYS 1200 (BPS)         Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration (4) or
PHYS 1800 (BPS)         Physics of Technology (4)
PUBH 5000                   Public Health Seminar (1)
SPCH 1020 (CI) Public Speaking (3)
Public Health elective courses, University studies courses or other elective courses (6-9)
 
Summer Semester
PUBH 4000                   Public Health Field Experience (3)
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester
HEP 4200 (QI)               Planning and Evaluation for Health Education (3)
PUBH 4030                   Communicable Disease Control (3)
SOC 3500                     Social Psychology (3)
Public Health elective courses, University studies courses or other elective courses (6-9)
 
Spring Semester
HEP 3900                     Social Marketing in Health Education (3)
NFS 5210                      Advanced Public Health Nutrition (2)
PUBH 4040                   Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3)
PUBH 5500 (CI)             Public Health Management (2)
Public Health elective courses, University studies courses or other elective courses (5-8)
 
For More Information
For more information, contact undergraduate advisor David Wallace in the Department of Biology at 435-797-7155. Further information is also available on the department’s Web site.