Skip to content

Online BS in Public Health Courses

Curriculum Details

  • 16 Courses
  • 122 Credits
  • 460 Field Service Hours
  • 8-Week Terms

The online Bachelor of Science in Public Health is made up of 122 credits of coursework, 54 of which focus on your major. Within the public health major, you’ll gain a comprehensive introduction to the field. Explore topics in public health informatics, global health, substance misuse, chronic disease, health administration, infectious disease, health disparities and more.

In your public health practicum course, you’ll complete supervised field experience in a public health setting convenient for you, giving you an opportunity to apply what you learn.

All courses are offered in eight-week accelerated sessions. Many students finish the BS in Public Health in four years, although your eligible transfer credits could change your time to completion.

General Education Courses

Credits

The course is designed to develop skills and competence in writing prose compositions, reading, and listening. Problems in logical thought, organization of ideas, and comprehension in reading will receive special attention. All students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better or they must repeat the course. Prerequisites: Exemption from taking placements tests, a passing score on the English placement test, or successful completion of ENGL 100. 

The course is a continuation of English 101. Emphasis will be placed on longer critical writing and the research paper. All students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better or they must repeat the course.

The course provides the student training in the fundamentals of diction and effective oral expression in prepared, extemporaneous, and informative speeches. Emphasis placed upon preparation and delivery. Techniques of interviewing will be explored. 

University Seminar is a two-semester General Education course sequence that develops academic skills including critical reading, thinking, writing, speaking, and computer and information literacy. The goals and objectives of the General Education Program are introduced in these courses and subsequently embedded across the curriculum in each of the majors and selected concentrations. Class activities provide each student with the opportunity to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to become a lifelong learner. A global, multicultural perspective is used to discuss moral and ethical issues, values, peer pressure, wellness, nutrition, and health issues. Other goals of this course are: knowledge of the University’s history, development of the sense of University community, and a shared common educational experience with other freshmen. 

Through the development of job preparation skills and the introduction to graduate school and employment options, the Office of Career Services is tasked with assisting students in becoming ready for the global workforce. This is a Canvas-based online course offered by DSU. To interact many times a week, take part in threaded conversations, communicate with the instructor, and upload materials to Canvas. Through this course, they will gain the essential knowledge to build their networks and be great workplace candidates accurately and effectively.

The course is designed to acquaint the undergraduate student with current and correct information concerning fitness and its components and wellness concepts. Lifetime fitness and wellness is a General Education core course providing life-long learning by addressing general information concerning fitness and wellness promotion, as well as HIV/AIDS, and drug abuse prevention.

The course is designed to develop persons with educated and informed perspectives on the world for the 21st century. These are individuals who know their world, and who can understand facets of globalism which transcend time, space, and place. Factors to be considered include global geography; global themes of the past; the global marketplace; and global political, social, and cultural developments. This will enable students to appreciate the past, comprehend the present, and be effective and knowledgeable global citizens for the future. A grade of “C” or better is required. Students must have a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours to register for Global Societies.

A course designed to expose students to polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, complex numbers, rational exponents, radicals, solutions of equations, linear and quadratic inequalities, functions and graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, and synthetic division. Four (4) contact hours. Credit will not be given for MTSC 121, and the following courses: MTSC 101, MTSC 110, and MTSC 111.

Public Health Core Courses

Credits

This course introduces students to the broad context of public health, including the mission, core functions, structure, policy role and program activities. Theoretical and practical perspectives are presented to illustrate strategies for health promotion and disease prevention, and how public health operates at the national and state levels. Health issues are studied from a practice perspective to stimulate classroom discussion of both the problem and the public health system’s efforts to solve the problem.
This course examines the psychological, social-psychological, and sociological approaches to the development of health attitudes and behavior. It explores the use of behavior change theories as a foundation for developing behavior change intervention programs. Additionally, the course includes a focus on behavioral health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder, particularly as they relate to children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth who have experienced trauma and are at risk.
Public health informatics is defined as the systematic application of information and computer science and technology to public health practice. The course provides an overview of the collection, analyses, design, and delivery process for public health data. Students will gain both conceptual knowledge as well as practical experience in the basic concepts of data analyses. Dissemination or delivery of public health data to target audience is a critical component of public health. The course also provides an overview of the development, design, and delivery process for health communication emphasizing various public health message channels.
This course introduces basic frameworks for understanding global health issues and the improvement of health at a population level. It introduces and examines major health & health-related challenges of developing nations, and discusses how global health partners are finding solutions to address these challenges. Students will study and analyze a variety of health priorities among different populations, cultural settings and health systems in relation to global health goals and partnerships.
Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities. This course will address the consumption of mind and behavior altering substances that have a negative impact on health and behavior. Social, political and legal attitudes and responses to the consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs has made substance abuse a highly complex public health issue. This course will examine the significance of the substance abuse issue within the criminal justice system and the debate as to whether substance abuse is a disease with genetic and biological foundations or a matter of personal choice.
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. This course will focus on the prevention, consequences, and control of selected chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.). This course will investigate risk factors and preventative measures for chronic diseases as related to public health and the role of genomics in chronic disease management.
This course is designed to give Public Health majors off-campus work experience. Students will be placed in community health agencies or public health facilities for field instruction. The student will choose a community health agency or public health facility and work part-time for that agency for a minimum of 60 hours.
This course will examine the organization, financing aspects and delivery of public and personal health services. Current health policy and management issues as related to access, quality and cost will be a major emphasis.
The purpose of this course is to assist the student to understand the epidemiological patterns, etiology and risk factors of selected infectious human diseases from a population based perspective. Infectious diseases constitute a major worldwide health dilemma. Emerging infectious diseases and the concept of epidemiologic transition will be discussed. Prevention, analysis, and control of intentional and unintentional injuries will also be addressed.
This course provides students with a sequential model for community health program planning. Major elements of the course include the following: the study of philosophies, the performance of a needs assessment, the development of health goals and objectives, the construction of a health education/health promotion program and evaluation measures.
Understanding health disparities involves a critical analysis of historical, political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental conditions that have produced an inequitable health status in the United States. Race or ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and geographic location all contribute to an individual’s ability to achieve good health. It is important to recognize the impact that social determinants have on health outcomes of specific populations. Social determinants are in part responsible for the unequal and avoidable differences in health status within and between communities. This course will include current literature and foster discussions that will examine health disparities, explore social and environmental determinants of those disparities, critically review measurement issues, and determine public health’s response to these disparities.
This course examines environmental health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control of the major environmental health problems. Topics include physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination; vectors for dissemination (air, water, soil); solid and hazardous waste; susceptible populations; the scientific basis for policy decisions; and emerging global environmental health problems.
This course examines the relationship between childhood health and the K-12 school experience. The eight components of the Center for Disease Controls coordinated school health program model is the organizing framework. Topics include the history and development of school health, the relationships of in-school health interventions to student health status, health care access, and academic outcomes. This course will also cover important community health topics including systems thinking that leads to coordination of health care and public health activities to achieve community health goals; including community mobilization and capacity building.
Epidemiology is considered a basic science of public health. Epidemiology is a quantitative discipline and a tool for public health action to promote and protect the public’s health. Epidemiologists respond to emergent events, be they newly emerging infections, natural disasters, or terrorism, and study public health problems, such as unintentional injuries, environmental exposures, cardiovascular disease, obesity, tobacco use, and violence domestically and internationally. Epidemiologic methods are used increasingly in other fields such as traditional clinical medicine, healthcare administration, nursing, dentistry, and occupational medicine. This course covers the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation including describing the patterns of illness in populations and research designs for investigating the etiology of disease.
This course provides students with supervised field experience in a public health setting. Students will apply theoretical knowledge to real-world public health challenges, develop professional competencies, and gain hands-on experience in community health initiatives. Emphasis is placed on professional development, communication, and the application of public health principles in diverse settings. Field placements are contracted through the department and require faculty approval.
A continuation of Health Practicum I, this course offers an advanced field experience for students seeking to deepen their understanding and application of public health practice. Students will engage in complex projects, demonstrate leadership in public health initiatives, and enhance their problem-solving skills within professional environments. This practicum allows students to further refine their career goals and competencies while working under the mentorship of public health professionals. Field placements are contracted through the department and require faculty approval.

Additional Education Courses

Credits

Select One (1)

  • BIOL 101 General Biology I
  • BIOL 103 Human Biology
  • BIOL 107 Human Heredity

Select Two (2) Art/Humanities General Education Courses

  • XXX XXX Foreign Language I
  • XXX XXX Foreign Language II
  • ART 101 Introduction to Art
  • MUSC 100 Introduction to Music
  • MUSC 101 African American Music
  • ENGL 113 Introduction to Theater
  • PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 202 Ethics
  • PHIL 204 Contemporary Moral Issues

Select One (1) History General Education Course

  • HIST 101 World History to the Sixteenth Century
  • HIST 102 World History from the Sixteenth Century
  • HIST 201 American History to 1865
  • HIST 202 American History from 1865
  • HIST 203 African American History to 1865
  • HIST 204 African American History from 1865

Select One (1) Literature General Education Course

  • ENGL 201 World Literature I
  • ENGL 205 African-American Literature I

Select One (1) Public Health Elective

  • PUBH 335 Mental Health & Stress Management
  • PUBH 339 Human Sexuality
  • PUBH 207 Community Health Worker: Ethics, Roles & Responsibilities
  • PUBH 225 Community Impact & Evaluative Methods of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity

Other Required Courses for the Major

  • BIOL 207 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL 208 Anatomy & Physiology II

Select One (1)

  • HMEC 215 Introduction to Nutrition
  • PUBH 225 Community Impact & Evaluative Methods of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity

Required Courses

  • KINE 200 CPR & First Aid
  • KINE 265 Research Design

Core & Social Science General Education Course

  • SCCJ 101 Introduction to Sociology

Select One (1)

  • MTSC 241 Elementary Statistics
  • PSYC 322 Elementary Statistics
  • SCWK 310 Elementary Statistics for Social Work

9 Credits of Electives

  • Varies

Request More Information

Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.