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.


Degree Requirements and Curriculum

General Education Courses

pdf Fall 2024 Public Health Course Sequence

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

3

Spring Year 1 

Humanities or Fine Arts I 

Any Physical Science  

ENG 1240/1280 OR Hon 1200 – Composition II 

Elective #1 

Social Science II 

Credit hours 

3

Total 

16 

Total 

15

Fall Year 2 

Humanities or Fine Art II 

Social Sciences III 

HSC 2265 Complementary and Integrative Medicine HSC 2350 Drugs Alcohol and Society 

Elective # 2

3

Spring Year 2 

Humanities or Fine Arts III 

Elective # 3 

HSC 3312- Current Topic 

HSC 3328- Global Health 

HHSC 3311 Special Topics 

 

3

Total 

16 

Total 

15

Fall Year 3 

HSC 3200 – Research Methods 

HSC 3313 – Health Disparities  

HSC 3316 – Human Diseases 

HSC 3319 – Introduction to Public Health  

Elective # 4

 

3

Spring Year 3 

HSC 4414- Introduction to Urban Health 

HSC 3315 – Health Behavior and Promotion 

Elective # 5 

HSC 4418 – Epidemiology 

HSC 4423 – Intro to Environmental Health

 

3

 

3

3

3

3

 

Total 

15 

Total 

15

Fall Year 4 

HSC 4424- Program Planning 

HSC 3375 – Health Policy and Administration 

HSC 3450 – Public Health Communication 

HSC 4420 – Elective # 6 

HSC 4414 Entrepreneurship in Health

3

Spring Year 4 

Elective # 7 

Elective # 8 

HSC 4425 – Community Health Practicum 

Elective # 9 

Elective # 10

3

Total 

15 

Total 

15

 

Total Degree Credit Hours 

120

 

 

 

Core Courses 

Course 

Credits

HSC 3200 Research Methods 

        3

HSC 3313 Health Disparities

        3

HSC 3316 Human Diseases 

        3

HSC 3319  Introduction to Public Health 

        3

HSC 3450  Public Health Communication 

        3

HSC 4418  Epidemiology 

        3

HSC 3315  Health Behavior and Promotion

        3

HSC 3375  Health Policy and Administration 

        3

HSC 4423 Introduction to Environmental Health 

        3

HSC 4424  Program Planning 

        3

Total

30 credits

 

 

Supplemental/Cognate/Concentration Requirements 

Course

Credits

HSC 3312 -Current Topics 

     3

HSC 2265 - Complementary and Integrative Medicine 

     3

HSC 2350 - Substance Use and Public Health 

     3

HSC 4420 - Introduction to Urban Health 

     3

HSC 3328 - Global Health 

     3

HSC 4414-  Entrepreneurship in Health Care 

     3

HSC 3311 -Special Topics 

     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 complete the first year of general education requirements before applying to 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 1st 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 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

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