BS in Public Health
Graduates in Public Health are health education specialists who are likely to pursue career paths as: health educators working for hospitals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, private business, and colleges and universities.
Marketable Skills
Students will develop the following skills:
- Communication: Reach mutual understanding through effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings
- Leadership: Step up, think, and act critically and creatively to bring others together to accomplish a common task
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Social responsibility: Act ethically and responsibly for the benefit of society and the public good
- Stress management: Be able to identify causes of stress, identify effective coping mechanisms, and take action to change the situation
- Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
Additionally, students will learn:
- Grant writing, use effective writing to apply for funding to agencies to implement public health programs in the community
- Health behavior, use of effective mechanisms to help individuals make informed decisions about lifestyle modifications
- Health education techniques
The Public Health Degree prepares graduates to function as successful professionals in community health and public health settings as health education specialists. Health education specialists work in a variety of settings such as community, public health departments, private business, and schools. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad general-educational foundation as well as the basic skills, experiences, and professional competencies specific to the practice of health promotion/education. Graduates of this 120-semester hour program function in planning, implementing, evaluating, and administering health promotion and health education strategies, interventions and programs. The curriculum renders the graduate eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national examination for certification.
Students in the Public Health Major select one of two concentrations:
- Students in the General Concentration complete a common core of courses in Public Health and then may select a minor, certificate, or complete electives in consultation with a Public Health Sciences faculty member or advisor. The General Concentration includes a practicum component. Students who participate in practicum will be required to pass a background checks and complete clinical compliance requirements in order to complete program requirements.
- Students in the All-Level Health Education concentration complete a core of Public Health courses and a minor in All-Level Education while preparing to earn teacher certification and becoming health teachers in the school system. This program requires students apply to the College of Education and successfully pass a background check to be eligible for field experience, student teaching, and applying for a teaching certificate.
- Students in the BS Public Health cannot declare the Public Health minor or the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Health.
All undergraduate students majoring in Public Health must obtain a minimum grade of C in all HSCI courses in order to graduate. Students who do not meet this requirement must retake the courses and achieve a minimum grade of “C.”
Degree Plan
BS in Public Health with General Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core | ||
| General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I C | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I C | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I C | ||
or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
or MATH 1310 | Trigonometry and Conics | |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Public Health Support Courses | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| or | ||
| CHEM 1305 & CHEM 1105 | General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 3 |
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods C | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Public Health Major- General Concentration (All courses require a grade of C or better.) | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo C | 3 |
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition C | 3 |
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl C | 3 |
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology C | 3 |
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav C | 3 |
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof C | 3 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration C | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement C | 3 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science C | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess C | 3 |
| HSCI 4313 | Practicum I C | 3 |
| HSCI 4314 | Practicum II C | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 20 hours of electives from any subject at any level. Students are encouraged to consider a minor or certificate to fill elective credits | 20 | |
| TOTAL HOURS | 120 | |
- C
Courses require a grade of C or better.
BS in Public Health with All-Level Health Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GPA for Certification | ||
| This degree plan prepares students for teacher certification in the State of Texas. Although a 2.0 GPA is required to earn a degree from UTEP, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) requires a 2.75 GPA to become certified to teach in the State of Texas. For additional information, please contact your advisor. | ||
| Background Check Required | ||
| A complete background check is required of all students who wish to receive teacher certification in the State of Texas. Students will be required to pass a background check before certification will be conferred by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). | ||
| Designated Core | ||
| General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I C | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I C | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I C | ||
or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
or MATH 1310 | Trigonometry and Conics | |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 44 | |
| Public Health Support Courses | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| or | ||
| General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods C | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Public Health Major- All-Level Health Education Concentration (All courses require a grade of C or better.) | ||
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo C | 3 |
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition C | 3 |
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health C | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl C | 3 |
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology C | 3 |
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav C | 3 |
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof C | 3 |
| HSCI 4101 | Health Ed Elem Schl Teach Lab C | 1 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration C | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement C | 3 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science C | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess C | 3 |
| SCED 3312 | General Methods in Sec School | 3 |
| All-Levels Education Minor | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BED 4317 | Tch & Empwr ELLs in Sec Schls | 3 |
| EDPC 3300 | Intro to Youth Dev & Spec Ed | 3 |
| RED 3342 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SCED 3311 | Curriculum Plan-Secondary Schl | 3 |
| TED 4699 | Internship-All Levels Inclusiv | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| 4 Credit open electives | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Core Curriculum (A program may recommend specific courses. All courses require a C or better.)
I. Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | ||
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
II. American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-African Amer Studies | ||
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
IV. Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and Empirical & Quantitative Skills. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork. | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
VI. Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
VII. Social & Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Social Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics | ||
| Asian American Studies | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Intro to Chicano Studies | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Leadership in Action | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
VIII. Creative Arts
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat | ||
| Introduction to Dance | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
IX. Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice. | ||
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| COMM 1301 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Engineering Design Experience | ||
| Applied Engineering Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Comm. Var. Across the Lifespan | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
4-Year Sample Degree Plan
BS Public Health - General Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH | ||
| GENERAL CONCENTRATION | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 1305 & BIOL 1107 | General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I | 4 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 1320 | Math for Social Sciences I | 3-5 |
| or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
| or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
| or MATH 1310 | Trigonometry and Conics | |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| Component Core I | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2311 & BIOL 2111 | Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I | 4 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture | 3 | |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| Component Core II | 3 | |
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
Or | ||
| General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav | 3 |
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof | 3 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl | 3 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess | 3 |
| HSCI 4313 | Practicum I | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSCI 4314 | Practicum II | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 121-123 | |
BS Public Health ‐ Health Education Concentration with All‐Level Education Minor
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH | ||
| HEALTH EDUCATION CONCENTRATION WITH ALL-LEVEL EDUCATION MINOR | ||
| FRESHMAN | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 1305 & BIOL 1107 | General Biology and Topics in Study of Life I | 4 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 1320 | Math for Social Sciences I | 3-5 |
| or MATH 1508 | Precalculus | |
| or MATH 1411 | Calculus I | |
| or MATH 1310 | Trigonometry and Conics | |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| Component Core I | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2311 & BIOL 2111 | Human Anat/Physiology I and Human Anat/Physio Lab I | 4 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| HSCI 1301 | Fnd. of Hlth Sci. & Hlth Promo | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture | 3 | |
| SOPHOMORE | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 2313 & BIOL 2113 | Human Anat/Physiology II and Human Anat/Physio Lab II | 4 |
| Component Core II | 3 | |
| HSCI 3301 | Community Health | 3 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 1303 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1307 & CHEM 1107 | Intro to General Chemistry and Intro General Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| Or | ||
| General Chemistry and Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| HSCI 3315 | Research For The Health Prof | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| JUNIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSCI 2302 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3 |
| HSCI 3312 | Theories & Meth of Hlth Behav | 3 |
| HSCI 4307 | Hlth Promo Plan & Implement | 3 |
| RWS 3359 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| RED 3342 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSCI 3306 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSCI 3308 | Disease Charc/Prevnt/Contrl | 3 |
| HSCI 4101 | Health Ed Elem Schl Teach Lab | 1 |
| HSCI 4309 | Program Eval in Health Science | 3 |
| SCED 3312 | General Methods in Sec School | 3 |
| SCED 3311 | Curriculum Plan-Secondary Schl | 3 |
| SENIOR | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDPC 3300 | Intro to Youth Dev & Spec Ed | 3 |
| HSCI 3311 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| HSCI 4304 | Public Health Administration | 3 |
| HSCI 4312 | Grant Writing in Hlth Profess | 3 |
| BED 4317 | Tch & Empwr ELLs in Sec Schls | 3 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| TED 4699 | Internship-All Levels Inclusiv | 6 |
| Total Hours | 120-122 | |