Bachelor of Science, Public Health (BSPH)

Graduates of the Public Health program enter the job market as health educators, fitness consultants, consumer information directors, and community outreach coordinators who are trained to promote healthy lifestyles through behavior modification, physical activity, and proper nutrition to prevent chronic and degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, HIV/AIDS and other conditions such as substance abuse and domestic violence. To reduce the rising cost of health care, policymakers are increasingly employing the preventive approaches and services of community educators in county, state, and federal health departments, wellness programs, hospitals, disease management and consulting firms, consumer advocacy, and international and voluntary health care organizations.

Student learning outcomes in Public Health following completion of the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Public Health, the graduates will:

Apply psychological and sociological theories in explaining human behaviors in different clinical scenarios.
Comprehend the factors that influence health and well-being.
Promote health and prevent disease by positively influencing the behavior of clients.
Determine individual and Public Health needs by using valid health information and appropriate evaluative methods.
Understand the US health care system and respond ethically to health care disparities.
Comprehend published research in public health.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Public Health at Chicago State University (CSU) is to provide an accessible, competency-based, high-quality education and experience to prepare culturally diverse undergraduate and graduate students to improve health and well-being and address health equity and disparities in communities by utilizing innovative, integrative, interdisciplinary, and inclusive academic approaches.

Vision

The Department of Public Health at CSU seeks to be recognized nationally and internationally for individuals interested in practicing public health to better serve communities. Our faculty consists of experienced professionals who provide consistent support to students and create a welcoming and professional environment through service, teaching, and scholarship. This prepares graduates of the program to make an impact on their community and the field of public health.

Learning Objectives

Following the completion of the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Public Health, the graduates will:

Apply psychological and sociological theories in explaining human behaviors to advocate for the protection and promotion of the public’s health.
Comprehend the factors that influence health and well-being at the intra-personal, interpersonal, community, and public levels.
Assess the needs of the individual, community, and public using appropriate research methods while taking cultural context into account.
Promote health and wellness, and disease prevention nationally and internationally.
Evaluate the needs of the individual, community, and public by using best practices that are ethical and from valid health sources.
Understand United States healthcare and the impact of systems thinking and organizational dynamics in business to respond ethically to healthcare dilemmas.
Demonstrate effective leadership skills and apply systems thinking to successfully collaborate with others in team settings.
Participate in professional networking activities and understand the importance of professional memberships.
Communicate accurate public health information to the public.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

General Education Courses

Transfer Pathways from Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges Degree Plan

B.S Public Health Suggested Degree Plan

B.S Public Health Advising Planning Sheet

Fall Year 1 BIOL 1701 – Introduction to Biology Oral Communication ENG 1230/1270 OR Hon 1200 – Composition I MATH 1600 (Prerequisite MATH 1200)– Basic Probability and Statistics Social Sciences I	Credit hours 4 3 3 3 3	Spring Year 1 Humanities or Fine Arts I Any Physical Science ENG 1240/1280 OR Hon 1200 – Composition II HSC 1160 Introduction to Public Health Social Science II	Credit hours 3 3 3 3 3
Total	16	Total	15
Fall Year 2 Humanities or Fine Art II Social Sciences III HSC 2020 Complementary and Integrative Medicine HSC 2350 Substance Use and Public Health Elective #1	3 3 3 3 3	Spring Year 2 Humanities or Fine Arts III HSC 2000 Global Health HSC 2010 Health Disparities HSC 2030 Human Disease Elective # 2	3 3 3 3 3
Total	15	Total	15
Fall Year 3 Elective # 3 HSC 2040 Health Behavior & Promotion HSC 2050 Intro to Urban Health HSC 3200 – Research Methods HSC 3210 Epidemiology	3 3 3 3 3	Spring Year 3 Elective #4 HSC3230 Intro to Environmental Health HSC 3375 Health Policy & Administration HSC 3450 Public Health Communication HSC 3311 Special Topics (Media & Big Data)	3 3 3 3 3
Total	15	Total	15
Fall Year 4 HSC 3312 Current Topics (AI & Health) HSC 4424 Program Planning HSC 4414 Entrepreneurship in Health Elective #5 Elective # 6	3 3 3 3 3	Spring Year 4 Elective # 7 Elective # 8 HSC 4425 –Public Health Practicum Elective # 9 Elective # 10	3 3 3 3 3
Total	15	Total	15
		Total Degree Credit Hours	120

Core Courses

Course	Credits
HSC 3200 Research Methods	3
HSC 2010 Health Disparities	3
HSC 2030 Human Diseases	3
HSC 1160 Introduction to Public Health	3
HSC 3450 Public Health Communication	3
HSC 3210 Epidemiology	3
HSC 2040 Health Behavior and Promotion	3
HSC 3375 Health Policy and Administration	3
HSC 3230 Introduction to Environmental Health	3
HSC 4424 Program Planning	3
Total	30 credits

Supplemental/Cognate/Concentration Requirements

Course	Credits
HSC 3312 -Current Topics: AI & Health	3
HSC 2020 - Complementary and Integrative Medicine	3
HSC 2350 - Substance Use and Public Health	3
HSC 2050 - Introduction to Urban Health	3
HSC 2000 - Global Health	3
HSC 4414- Entrepreneurship in Health Care	3
HSC 3311 -Special Topics: Media & Big Data	3
Total	21 credits

Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) applications are now accepted on a rolling admission. Before applying, students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health must first be accepted to Chicago State University and declare public health as their major. Please see the following checklist below before applying.

Application for Declaratation of Public Health Major forms must be submitted by May 1st for the fall semester, and September 30th for the Spring semester. However, if all openings are not filled, applications will continue to be accepted until July 1^st for fall admission and until October 15th for Spring admission. Please see the following checklist below before applying.

- A completed typewritten application for the Declaration of Public Health Major Form
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Please check each box to indicate if you have completed the following general education 30-31 approved general education credits: (Substitute general education courses may be approved at the chair's discretion from the program required general education course list).
  
  ○ BIOL 1701 – Introduction to Biology
  
  ○ Oral Communication
  
  ○ ENG 1230/1270 OR Hon 1200 – Composition I
  
  ○ MATH 1600 (Prerequisite MATH 1200)– Basic Probability and Statistics
  
  ○ Social Sciences I
  
  ○ Humanities or Fine Arts I
  
  ○ Any Physical Science
  
  ○ ENG 1240/1280 OR Hon 1200 – Composition II
  
  ○ Humanities or Fine Art II
  
  ○ Social Science II
  - Please email the application form to Dr. Carolyn Rodgers, Department Chair at crodge23@csu.edu
  - Completed Forms will be submitted to the Registrar’s office at registrar@csu.edu