Bachelor of Science, Major in Public Health

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Requirements: Students enrolled in the BS in Public Health program must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher in all areas. This minimum GPA requirement is mandated by the Council on Education of Public Health, the accrediting organization for public health education programs. The first semester a student earns a GPA below 2.75, he/she must meet with the BS in Public Health Program Coordinator to develop a plan of study to improve their GPA. The second semester a student earns a GPA below 2.75, she/he must declare a new major. In most cases. a student will change their major to one of the following program areas that will allow students to enter that degree with a GPA below 2.75 while also minimizing loss of previously completed credits in HLTH courses: Health Sciences, Health Care Administration, Bilingual Health Care Studies, or another area.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 44
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 2403Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2, 54
BIOL 2404Human Anatomy & Physiology II 54
CHEM 1406Inorganic & Envir Chemistry 24
or CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I
FSCN 2362Nutrition 63
KINE 2115Lifetime Health and Wellness 41
MATH 1314Pre Calculus Algebra 13
or MATH 1410 Elementary Functions
or MATH 1420 Calculus I
MATH 1370Intro Biomedical Statistics 73
PSYC 1301Introduction To Psychology 33
Major: Foundation
HLTH 1360Fund Hlth Promo & Hlth Careers (Freshman) 83
HLTH 2383Multicultural Health Issues3
HLTH 2391Human Diseases 83
HLTH 3350Principles of Public Health 83
HLTH 3355US Health Care Systems 83
HLTH 3360Epidemiology3
HLTH 3361Health Planning & Evaluation 83
HLTH 3392Health Comm & Literacy 83
HLTH 4360Research Methods/Statistics 83
HLTH 4380Global Health3
HLTH 4387Community Health3
HLTH 4390Environmental Health3
HLTH 4393Prof Prep Health Careers 8,93
HLTH 4394Internship Program 8,93
Major: Prescribed Electives
Select 26 hours of the following (9 hours must be 3000 or 4000 level):26
Environmental Science
Intro Applied Microbiology
Intro to Technical Writing (WE)
Lifestyle and Wellness
Health & Medical Terminology
Drug Use and Abuse
Safety Education 8
Family Life & Sex Education
Practicum 8
Research Methods/Statistics 8
Interventions for Wellness 8
Health Care Policy 8
Health Informatics
Economics for Health Managers 8
Patient Navigation 8
Health Laws and Ethics 8
Problems in Health 8
Internship Program 8,9
Special Topics in Health 8
First Aid & CPR - Am Red Cross
Functional Kinesiology
Physiology of Exercise
Managing Health Promotion in the Workplace
Directing Wellness Programs
Plane Trigonometry
Social Marketing for PR & Adv
General Physics Laboratory I
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender
Public Administration
Abnormal Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Development Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Sociology Of Health & Illness
Sociology Of Disaster
Social Gerontology
Child Abuse And Neglect
Or other courses approved by Department
Minor: Not Required 10,11
Total Hours120
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

4

Satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

5

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as transfer courses for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

6

FSCN 1367 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

7

MATH 1342 or MATH 3379 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see SAM Center Advisor for more details.

8

HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391 are prerequisites for the following courses: HLTH 3350 , HLTH 3355, HLTH 3361, HLTH 3385, HLTH 3392, HLTH 4117, HLTH 4360, HLTH 4363, HLTH 4365, HLTH 4367, HLTH 4371, HLTH 4375, HLTH 4392, HLTH 4393, HLTH 4394, and HLTH 4395.

9

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in HLTH 4393 and HLTH 4394.

10

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

11

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Health. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Consult current University catalog for questions concerning transfer courses and residency requirements.

ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 are prerequisites for ENGL 3330 and satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

FSCN 3339 requires a prerequisite of FSCN 3380.   

HLTH 3350, HLTH 3361, HLTH 4387, requires 55 credit hours completed and a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 3355HLTH 3361, HLTH 3385, HLTH 3392, HLTH 4117, HLTH 4360, HLTH 4363, HLTH 4365, HLTH 4367, HLTH 4371, HLTH 4375, HLTH 4392, and HLTH 4395 require a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 3360 requires a prerequisite of MATH 1342MATH 1370, MATH 3379 OR STAT 3379 and HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4360, HLTH 4363, HLTH 4365, HLTH 4380, HLTH 4390KINE 3373 require Junior standing and a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4375 requires prerequisites of HLTH 1360, HLTH 2391,  HLTH 3355, and Senior standing.

HLTH 4393 requires a prerequisite of the completion of 12 hours ofHLTH 1360, and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4394 requires a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391 and  HLTH 4393 with a C or better.

KINE 3362 requires prerequisites of BIOL 2401 OR BIOL 2403KINE 1331 OR ATTR 2300; and 45 credit hours.

MATH 3379 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in College Math.

MCPA 4381 requires MCOM Instructor approval.

PHYS 1301 has a prerequisite of MATH 1410 OR MATH 1316 or MATH 1420 with a grade of “C” or better for the course. MATH 1316 and MATH 1410 satisfy the 3 hours of Math required for the Core Competency Area II.

POLS 3366 requires a prerequisite of POLS 2305.

PSYC 3331 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in Psychology.

PSYC 3333 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in Psychology and 4 hours of completed coursework in Biology or permission of the instructor.

SOCI 3365 requires a prerequisite of SOCI 1301 OR SOCI 2319 which satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

SOCI 4338 requires a prerequisite of  SOCI 1301 OR SOCI 2319 which satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

 Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 24031, 24Component Area IV3
CHEM 1406 or 141114ENGL 130233
ENGL 130133HIST 130163
KINE 211541MATH 137073
MATH 1314, 1410, or 142053 
 15 12
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 240424Component Area IX3
HIST 130263FSCN 2362113
HLTH 136083HLTH 23833
HLTH 239183POLS 230693
POLS 230593Prescribed Electives123
PSYC 1301103 
 19 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area V3HLTH 336183
HLTH 335083HLTH 43803
HLTH 335583HLTH 43873
HLTH 33603HLTH 43903
HLTH 339283HLTH 43938,133
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
HLTH 436083HLTH 43948,133
Prescribed Electives1212Prescribed Electives1211
 15 14
Total Hours: 120
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

2

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as transfer courses for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

4

Satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

5

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

7

MATH 1342 OR MATH 3379 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center Advisor for more details.

8

HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391 are prerequisites for the following courses: HLTH 3350, HLTH 3355, HLTH 3361, HLTH 3385, HLTH 3392, HLTH 4117, HLTH 4360, HLTH 4363, HLTH 4365, HLTH 4367, HLTH 4371, HLTH 4375, HLTH 4392, HLTH 4393, HLTH 4394, and HLTH 4395.

9

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

10

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

11

FSCN 1367 may be used as a transfer course for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

12

See, Prescribed Electives course listing below.

13

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in HLTH 4393 and HLTH 4394.

Prescribed Electives 12
BIOL 1401Environmental Science4
BIOL 2420Intro Applied Microbiology4
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
HLTH 1366Lifestyle and Wellness3
HLTH 2372Health & Medical Terminology3
HLTH 3380Drug Use and Abuse3
HLTH 3385Safety Education 83
HLTH 3390Family Life & Sex Education3
HLTH 4117Practicum 81
HLTH 4360Research Methods/Statistics 83
HLTH 4363Interventions for Wellness 83
HLTH 4365Health Care Policy 83
HLTH 4366Health Informatics3
HLTH 4367Economics for Health Managers 83
HLTH 4371Patient Navigation 83
HLTH 4375Health Laws and Ethics 83
HLTH 4392Problems in Health 83
HLTH 4394Internship Program 8,133
HLTH 4395Special Topics in Health 83
KINE 2330First Aid & CPR - Am Red Cross3
KINE 3362Functional Kinesiology3
KINE 3373Physiology of Exercise3
KINE 4361Managing Health Promotion in the Workplace3
KINE 4365Directing Wellness Programs3
MATH 1316Plane Trigonometry3
MCPA 4381Social Marketing for PR & Adv3
PHYS 1101General Physics Laboratory I1
PHYS 1301General Phy-Mechanics & Heat3
POLS 3335Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender3
POLS 3366Public Administration3
PSYC 3331Abnormal Psychology3
PSYC 3333Physiological Psychology3
PSYC 3374Development Psychology3
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology3
SOCI 3365Sociology Of Health & Illness3
SOCI 4334Sociology Of Disaster3
SOCI 4338Social Gerontology3
VCST 4338Child Abuse And Neglect3

 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.75 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Consult current University catalog for questions concerning transfer courses and residency requirements.

ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 are prerequisites for ENGL 3330 and satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

FSCN 3339 requires a prerequisite of FSCN 3380

HLTH 3350HLTH 3361HLTH 4387, requires 55 credit hours completed and a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 3355,  HLTH 3361HLTH 3385HLTH 3392HLTH 4117HLTH 4360HLTH 4363HLTH 4365HLTH 4367HLTH 4371HLTH 4375HLTH 4392, and HLTH 4395 require a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 3360 requires a prerequisite of MATH 1342MATH 1370MATH 3379 OR STAT 3379 and HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4360HLTH 4363HLTH 4365HLTH 4380HLTH 4390KINE 3373 require Junior standing and a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4375 requires prerequisites of HLTH 1360HLTH 2391,   HLTH 3355, and Senior standing.

HLTH 4393 requires a prerequisite of the completion of 12 hours ofHLTH 1360, and HLTH 2391.

HLTH 4394 requires a prerequisite of HLTH 1360 and HLTH 2391 and   HLTH 4393 with a C or better.

KINE 3362 requires prerequisites of BIOL 2401 OR BIOL 2403KINE 1331 OR ATTR 2300; and 45 credit hours.

MATH 3379 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in College Math.

MCPA 4381 requires MCOM Instructor approval.

PHYS 1301 has a prerequisite of MATH 1410 OR  MATH 1316 or MATH 1420 with a grade of “C” or better for the course. MATH 1316 and MATH 1410 satisfy the 3 hours of Math required for the Core Competency Area II.

POLS 3366 requires a prerequisite of POLS 2305.

PSYC 3331 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in Psychology.

PSYC 3333 requires 3 hours of completed coursework in Psychology and 4 hours of completed coursework in Biology or permission of the instructor.

SOCI 3365 requires a prerequisite of SOCI 1301 OR  SOCI 2319 which satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

SOCI 4338 requires a prerequisite of  SOCI 1301 OR  SOCI 2319 which satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Public Health is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  •    Participate in a proactive manner the day-to-day tasks of public health organizations.
  •    Conduct data collection and analysis to investigate public health issues.
  •    Participate in public health fieldwork requiring cultural competency skills.
  •    Develop public health program plans to meet the needs of at-risk populations.
  •    Act as a resource specialist for public health outreach.
  •    Demonstrate effective public health communications to diverse populations.

These competencies are outlined in the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.