Public Health Major, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Department of Health Professions

College of Health and Human Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

A degree in public health will give the student a broad understanding of the public health field, while allowing students to gain experience in focused specialties of public health practice. By completing the public health core, students will have skills to understand basic public health functions such as monitoring and assessing the health of communities, identifying health problems and priorities, and implementing evidence-based strategies to promote population health. The required curriculum was designed to build student knowledge and skill in 11 Public Health Competency Domains identified by the Counsel on Public Health Education (CEPH).

Students that graduate with a major in Public Health will be prepared for many entry-level public health positions, as well as providing the background knowledge required to pursue a broad range of graduate degree programs, including a master’s degree of Public Health (MPH) or a master’s degree in Health Administration (MHA).

Student Outcomes

The requirements for the public health major (BA) provides instruction in the following domains. The curriculum addresses these domains through any combination of learning experiences throughout the requirements for the major or concentration coursework.

The concepts and applications of basic statistics
The foundations of biological and life sciences and the concepts of health and disease
The history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society
The basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use, and analysis and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice
The concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations
The underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course
The socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities
The fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment, and evaluation
The fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the US health system as well as the differences in systems in other countries
Basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic, and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy and the roles, influences, and responsibilities of the different agencies and branches of government
Basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
A minor is required for this program.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Recommended: MTH 1210 - Introduction to Statistics *
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
- Recommended: PHI 1030 - Thinking about Ethics: Morality and the Good Life *
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: HCM 2010 - Global Health Systems **
- Recommended: ITP 1500 - Dynamics of Health *
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits***)
- Recommended: HCM 2010 - Global Health Systems **

* The listed courses are suggested courses, but not required for the major.

**HCM 2010 is required for the major and may also count in General Studies Social and Behavioral Science and Global Diversity.

*** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

Public Health Major Core: 45 credits

These courses are required to complete the Public Health Major.

HCM 2010 - Global Health Systems Credits: 3
HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. Credits: 3
ITP 3200 - Ethics in Health Care Credits: 3
ITP 3450 - Dynamics of Disease Credits: 3
MTH 1210 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
or
PSY 2310 - Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3
PUB 1000 - Principles of Public Health Credits: 3
PUB 3000 - Health Behavior Theory and Practice Credits: 3
PUB 3010 - Community Health Survey, Assessment and Health Improvement Planning Credits: 3
PUB 3020 - Introduction to Epidemiology in Public Health Credits: 3
PUB 3030 - Essentials of Environmental Health in Public Health Practices Credits: 3
PUB 4000 - Health Policy - Practice and Development Credits: 3
PUB 4010 - Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Credits: 3
SLHS 2990 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3

Public Health Major Core Option

You must select from these options to complete the Public Health core coursework. This is a 5-6 credit course requirement within the core courses, and will complete the 45 credit hours for the Public Health Major core course requirements.

AGE 3030 - Aging Services: Current Topics, Trends, and Future Considerations Credits: 3
HCM 3150 - Health Care Organization and Management Credits: 3
HCPS 3000 - Introduction to Patient Navigation Credits: 3
ITP 3000 - Men’s Health Credits: 3
ITP 3850 - Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4700 - Community Health Education and Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
PUB 4020 - Peer Health Education- Field Experience Credits: 3

Public Health Major Electives: 3 credits

You must select one course from the following list to complete the elective course requirement.

AGE 1010 - Aging Services Leadership: Introduction to Aging and Long-Term Care Service Credits: 3
AGE 2020 - Ageism and Ableism in Society Credits: 3
AGE 3030 - Aging Services: Current Topics, Trends, and Future Considerations Credits: 3
AGE 3800 - Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum Credits: 3
HCM 3100 - Entrepreneurship in Health Credits: 1
HCM 3150 - Health Care Organization and Management Credits: 3
HCM 3200 - Managing Quality in Health Care Credits: 2
HCM 3400 - Human Resources Management in Health Care Credits: 3
HCM 3550 - Leadership in Health Care Credits: 1
HCPS 3000 - Introduction to Patient Navigation Credits: 3
HLDR 1100 - Colorado Tourism and Recreation Credits: 3
HSP 1010 - Introduction to Human Services Credits: 3
HSP 1020 - Introduction to Trauma Informed Care Credits: 3
HSP 2010 - Introduction to High-Impact Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
HSP 2760 - Social Media for Social Change Credits: 3
HSP 2780 - Building A Sustainable Nonprofit Credits: 3
HSP 3400 - Pharmacology of Drugs and Alcohol Credits: 3
HSP 3460 - Addiction, Immunity, and Infectious Diseases Credits: 2
HSP 3510 - The People of Nonprofits: Staff, Board, Volunteers, Clients and You Credits: 3
HSP 3560 - Motivational Interviewing Credits: 2
HSP 3575 - Motivational Interviewing for Health Professionals Credits: 3
HSP 3860 - Social Entrepreneurship Credits: 3
HSP 4030 - Grantwriting for Social Change Credits: 3
HSP 4450 - Nonprofit Financial Management and Financing Credits: 3
ITP 1700 - Medical Terminology Credits: 2
ITP 2800 - Health, Society, and the Environment Credits: 3
ITP 2950 - Wellness Coaching I Credits: 3
ITP 3000 - Men’s Health Credits: 3
ITP 3100 - Health Education and Counseling Credits: 3
ITP 3700 - Physiology of Aging Credits: 3
ITP 3800 - Stress and Sleep: Impact on Health and Disease Credits: 3
ITP 3850 - Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4100 - Women’s Holistic Health Credits: 3
ITP 4400 - Wellness Coaching II Credits: 3
ITP 4550 - Advanced Health Navigation and Assessment Credits: 3
ITP 4700 - Community Health Education and Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4800 - Lifestyle Medicine Across Gender and Lifespan Credits: 3
ITP 4950 - Community Coaching for Health Credits: 3
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
NUT 3350 - Global Nutrition and Health Credits: 3
NUT 3500 - Food Safety Credits: 3
NUT 4210 - Community Nutrition Credits: 3
PUB 4020 - Peer Health Education- Field Experience Credits: 3
SLHS 3000 - Foundations of Disability Studies through Media Credits: 3
SWK 1600 - Community Engagement and Civic Responsibility Credits: 3
SWK 3030 - Social Work with Older People Credits: 3
SWK 3120 - Privilege, Oppression, and Power Credits: 3

Senior Experience/Internship: 3 credits

The course HCM 4610 Health Professions Internship is the senior experience/internship course provided for the department, and will fulfill the public health senior experience/internship requirement.

HCM 4610 - Health Professions Internship Credits: 3

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Major Requirements	45 credits
Major Elective	3 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Minor and Unrestricted Electives	33-48 credits
Total for the Public Health Major, B.A.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.