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Public Health Major

Public Health Major


Promote health, wellness, and disease prevention.
IN THIS SECTION
  • Public Health
    • Public Health Major

Get the skills to start your career

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how important public health strategies are. The Major in Public Health will give you the skills to start your career path in this field. You will examine the social, behavioral, and environmental determinants associated with pressing health problems and learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate health promotion programs and preventive services to improve population health. You will also examine health inequalities and other emerging health challenges that impact both local and global communities. Through cooperative, multi-disciplinary experiences, you will receive preparation in wellness, health promotion, holistic disease prevention, and community health services. As a high achieving health sciences student, you may qualify to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in public health and nursing through our partnership with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Acquire knowledge and practical skills that prepare you to pursue a career in a public health–related profession
  • Understand the importance of prevention strategies in improving health and well-being
  • Develop a data analysis plan for evaluation and research related to health promotion
  • Complete a semester-long fieldwork practicum at a community organization in Worcester or beyond

Concentrations in Health Science

  • Make a difference to the future of public health with the Major in Public Health with a Concentration in Health Education. Through cooperative, multi-disciplinary experiences, you’ll receive training in the disciplines of wellness, health promotion, holistic disease prevention, and community health services. You’ll examine the social, behavioral, and environmental determinants associated with pressing health problems and learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate health promotion programs and preventive services to improve population health. In this program, you may also pursue a minor in secondary education. As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
  • The Public Health - Pre-Nursing Program is a dual-degree based on a formal affiliation agreement that admits a limited number of students into an articulated program that begins with 83 credits at WSU in the Public Health/Pre-Nursing program and continues with the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University ("MCPHS University") Worcester or Manchester, NH campus. At the completion of the appropriate 37 credits (of the 63 required) at MCPHS University, the student transfers those credits back to WSU and earns a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. The student then completes the additional number of appropriate credits (26) at MCPHS University to earn the B.S. in Nursing. Students should see the advisor in the Health Sciences department assigned to the program.

    The Bachelor of Science in Public Health requires the following 83 credits at WSU followed by the 63 credits in Nursing which will be taken at the MCPHS University campus in either Worcester or Manchester, NH.
Check out the different public health courses waiting for you at Worcester State!
HC-201 Introduction to Public Health
This course is an overview and will focus on populations, prevention, and the evidence-based practice of public health.
3 credits
HC-202 Introduction to Global Health
This course is an overview and will focus on the developing world from a population and prevention perspective.
3 credits
HC-203 Introduction to Epidemiology
Basic epidemiologic concepts are covered and application of concepts to everyday problems; e.g., hazards in food supplies and risks associated with lifestyle.
3 credits
HC-220 Health Policy
Examination of the process and factors that influence formulation, implementation and modification of health policy in the United States.
3 credits
HC-228 Health Ethics
Ethical issues in health including genetic research, euthanasia, medical intervention and reproductive technologies as well as professional ethics.
3 credits
HC-234 Multiculturalism and Health
Examination of diverse ethnic/racial and cultural beliefs beliefs and practices affecting health and illness.
3 credits
HC-245 Introduction to Public Health Research
This course introduces students to health sciences research. Students will develop critical skills including effectively navigating and interpreting information, distinguishing between high quality and low quality sources of evidence. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of staying actively informed of current events relevant to public health and how informed public health professionals can seek out high quality news on public health as well as discern effective from misleading news relevant to public health policy. Students also will spend extensive time exploring the difference between information found on internet searches and social media versus reliable health agency information.
3 credits
HC-338 Peer Education Training
Emphasis on student development of practical skills to implement programming centered on peer education programs and focused on preventative health.
3 credits
HC-340 Global Perspective in Public Health
Seminar course for students accepted into a global service learning trip during the academic year. It is designed to prepare students through curriculum-based learning, the components of service learning; ethical partnering with vulnerable communities, and the cultural/historical/political and economic factors that impact health and healthcare policies within the population where immersion takes places. There will be self-reflection and integration of learning through journal writing, critical thinking and exercises formal preparation for service in the host country and final paper at the end of the semester.
3 credits
HC-345 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
This course is an overview of the U.S. health care system (USHCS) and its components. Subjects to be reviewed include how social determinants of health influence access to health care and the role of healthcare providers and their effect in the health care system. The history of USHCS, the financing of services, types of services offered as well as access and quality of these services. Understanding these topics will help formulate an understanding of how the USHCS functions and the factors involved in the delivery of healthcare services.
3 credits
HC-430 Health Promotion Program Implementation & Evaluation
The success of a well-planned health promotion program depends on effective implementation and evaluation procedures. This course will review the process of program planning and explore implementation and evaluation strategies. This course will equip students to collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate evidence of a program's effectiveness to relevant stakeholders. The course will culminate with a written evaluation plan and mock poster presentation delivered to an audience of peers.
3 credits
HE-100 Personal Health
Physical, mental, and emotional aspects of well-being and how to maintain and increase the quality of one's lifestyle.
3 credits
HE-120 Health and Nutrition
Nutritional needs, weight control, healthy diets, myths, and nutritional aids to better health.
3 credits
HE-140 Creative Arts and Health
An experiential and didactic introduction to the separate arts therapies: movement, art, music and language arts, emphasizing the creative process.
3 credits
HE-170 Humans in Motion
Concepts of the human neuro-musculoskeletal system which provide function and health across the life span under normal and stress conditions.
3 credits
HE-208 Systems of Addictions Treatment
This course provides an overview of counseling modalities and techniques used in addiction treatment and recovery settings, including for those with co-occurring disorders. A family systems approach will be employed to understand how the Criminal Justice System, the Mental Health System, and the larger community relate. Legal and regulatory restrictions, ethical codes, and legal sanctions also are discussed.
3 credits
HE-225 Advanced Nutrition: The Prevention and Treatment of Obesity
This course examines the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of a major public health issue: obesity. The course builds on basic nutrition principles and their application to weight management and eating behaviors. Emphasis will be on the consequences of obesity on cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. Body weight regulation concepts will include, but are not limited to, body weight assessment, energy metabolism, regulation of eating behavior, energy nutrients, and the role of diet/physical activity in weight management.
3 credits
HE-230 Human Sexuality and Sex Education
Focus on the need for and understanding of sex education, along with the process of implementing sexuality education, with emphasis upon teacher preparation.
3 credits
HE-275 Fitness for Life
Knowledge of health-related fitness components and their effect on total wellness; emphasis on developing personalized fitness program, namely cardiovascular endurance.
3 credits
HE-325 Sports Nutrition
The course is designed to examine the role of nutrition in exercise metabolism and to explore the link between basics of exercise physiology concepts and nutrition. This course includes the application of nutrition principles to maintain optimum health and to enhance athletic performance from a healthy, adequate, and personalized diet. Sports nutrition concepts include, but are not limited to, body composition, nutritional supplements, energy balance, and nutritional needs for physically active people and athletes.
3 credits

See the diverse career paths that a degree in Health Science can prepare you for

Explore a growing range of professional opportunities with your Health Science degree from Worcester State––according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs outlook in Health Science-related fields is up by 17%, higher than average.

Epidemiologist
Research Scientist
Biostatician
Health Policy Maker
Non-Profit Manager
Government Investigator
Public Health Doctor
Tropical Disease Expert
HIV Specialist
Child Health Specialist
Public Health Veterinarian
Public Health Lawyer
Human Rights Advocate
Director of Family Health
Public Health Engineer
Health Center Administrator, Manager, or Director
Industrial Hygienist
Refugee Specialist
State and Federal Environmental Specialist
Staff of Non-Governmental Organization
Public Health Professor
Mental Health Researcher
Outcomes Researcher
Vaccine Researcher
Bioterrorism Researcher
Pharmacoepidemiologist
Epidemiologist
Infection Preventionist
Biostatistician
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Administrator
Human Trafficking Prevention and Rehabilitation Administrator
Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Public Health or Environmental Health Emergency Response Expert
Academic Policy Advisor
Health Communications Specialist
Disease Ecologist
Health Promotions Program Coordinator
Nutritionist
Public Health Information Officer
Public Health Consultant
Consumer Safety Officer
Behavioral Health Program Coordinator
Environmental Health Technician
Health Teacher
Disaster Preparedness Researcher
Community Health Worker
Reproductive Health Specialist

Where Will Your Worcester State Health Science Degree Take You?

Map your path to a rewarding career in Health Science

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