Public Health Major | Worcester State University

Public Health Major

Promote health, wellness, and disease prevention.

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