Public Health (PUBH)

Program Options: B.A., B.S.

As a public health major at St. Kate's, you will study current and emerging health issues, analyze health problems from a public health perspective, and advocate for improved public health through education and policy. You will learn about the core disciplinary areas of study in public health, behavioral / social science and health education, biostatistics and epidemiology, international / global health, environmental health, administration and management, maternal and child health, nutrition, and biomedical / health sciences. You will have opportunities for service learning, internships, capstone projects, structured research, and study abroad courses.

St. Kate's offers four concentrations for the public health major to provide you with opportunities to integrate and apply core knowledge in public health to a specific area of study.  A major in public health prepares students for employment in public health, strengthens the background of health professionals who are interested in public health practice areas, and provides an excellent foundation for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study in public health or related areas. 

As a public health major at St. Kate's, you will get a strong foundation in public health and liberal arts, select a concentration that fits your unique interests, and prepare for a career or graduate study through internship and seminar experiences. St. Kate's was selected to participate in the first joint collaboration of the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AACU) and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) to support development of three public health courses into the liberal arts curriculum. The public health major emphasizes working with academic, community, and global partners to make a difference.  Examples of our initial collaborations include the University of St. Thomas and the Health Education Industry Partnership. The public health major was developed over several years and in response to student interests.  The curriculum will help you develop knowledge and skills to improve health through education, health promotion, and research.  The strength of the public health major will be built upon the varied interests and backgrounds of students in the major.  The design of the major also makes it possible to obtain a double major or a minor in another discipline.

Major Requirements:

Public health at St. Kate's is an interdepartmental major.  You will complete five core public health courses and seven additional courses in a specific concentration. St. Kate's offers four concentrations for the public health major: health sciences; public policy; health education; and community health worker.  

Courses for a concentration are selected in consultation with an advisor in the major with a minimum of half of major courses numbered at the 3000 level or above.  You may take approved ACTC courses to fulfill some requirements for the concentration. Transfer courses, substitutions, and other ACTC courses require the approval of the department. Recommended courses for each concentration will be published on an annual basis. If you want a double major or minor you must meet with an advisor in both departments. You must refer to specific planning guides for each concentration, available from the department.

HLTH 2050 Foundations of Public Health
HLTH 3150 Epidemiology
HLTH 3250 Global Health
HLTH 4604 Internship
HLTH 4800 Senior Seminar in Public Health

Supporting courses:
INDI 2220 Medical Terminology
Statistics (PSYC 2050, ECON 2250, MATH 1080)

A minimum grade of C- is required for supporting courses.

HEALTH SCIENCES CONCENTRATION

Designed for 1) pre-professional students (e.g., pre-med, pre-pharmacy), and 2) students who want a strong background in mathematics/natural sciences and public health

Required courses: six courses in the mathematics and natural sciences and one course in the social sciences

PUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATION

Designed for 1) students who are interested in health policy, social sciences, and population health but not a specific health profession, 2) pre-professional students (e.g., pre-law, pre-occupational therapy), and 3) students who want a strong background in the social sciences and public health

Required courses: six courses in the social sciences and related areas and one course in mathematics and the natural sciences

HEALTH EDUCATION CONCENTRATION

Designed for 1) students who are interested in becoming a health educator in a health or community setting, and 2) students who want to obtain a credential in community health education and have a background in public health

Required courses: seven courses in health education; courses for the Health Education concentration are offered in collaboration with the University of St. Thomas.

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER CONCENTRATION

Designed for 1) students with linguistic and cultural competency in an immigrant community and interest in serving as advocates in health and community systems, 2) students who want to obtain a credential as a community health worker and have a background in public health

Required courses: All courses in the community health worker curriculum and two elective courses