Public Health, B.S.

Go to information for Public Health  

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Theresa Horner, thorner@francis.edu, 814-472-3357

Program Description:

Public Health is an evidence-based science of protecting and improving the health of human populations through education, research, and community-wide interventions. The Public Health program at Saint Francis University consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum to best foster the examination of population health from a broad, integrated, liberal arts perspective. Required and elective courses represent an array of topics that provide a solid foundation to this fascinating field. The program design includes practical experiences where students work with seasoned practitioners across a variety of community and clinical settings.

Many career opportunities exist in the field of public health with employment possibilities that span from government, non-profit, consulting, advocacy, to the private sector. Additionally, the Bachelors of Science in Public Health Pre-Medicine allow students to apply for medical school, pharmacy school, or other health-related graduate programs.

Students who major in Public Health will have a variety of opportunities to pursue their interests through active involvement in campus clubs and organizations, as well as, through summer internships, volunteerism, community service, and to engage with faculty in supervised research. Public health majors determine their course sequencing together with a faculty advisor from the Public Health program with the option of earning a BA or BS degree in Public Health. Students may also choose from the following concentrations in Public Health:

• BS Public Health, Environmental Science 
• BS Public Health, Epidemiology 
• BS Public Health, Health Policy and Administration
• BS Public Health, Pre-Medicine 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Gain an understanding and appreciation of how social determinants of health affect the population from a regional, national, and global health perspective.
• Apply critical thinking, quantitative reasoning and evidence based research skills to assess population needs, assets, and capacities affecting community health.
• Evaluate public health policy issues with respect to access, quality, and cost and demonstrate an understanding of health disparities within vulnerable populations.
• Use a collaborative community approach in the planning of public health programs in diverse communities and effectively communicate disease prevention orally and in writing.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

Students in the Public Health program are required to complete an evidence-based capstone project and supervised field experience in order to graduate from the program. The requirements can be met by successfully completing the following courses:

• PUBH 410 Public Health Rotation 1  (6 credits)
• PUBH 420 Public Health Rotation 2  (6 credits)
• PUBH 430 Capstone Project in Public Health - Evidence Based Public Health Practice  (3 credits)

Graduation Requirements:

A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete all requirements for an approved program of study;
• Complete the minimum number of credits;
• Repeat for an acceptable passing grade any course required for the major in which the grade of “F” has been received;
• Successfully pass Exam 401;
• Complete the last 30 credits for the degree at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all courses taken at SFU;
• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all major or collateral requirements;
• Satisfy the requirements of the General Education core curriculum;
• Satisfy the capstone requirement as specified by the major department(s);
• Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date; and 
• Satisfy financial obligations to the University.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum