Public Health, Department of

Introduction
Degree Descriptions

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Programs and Courses Offered

Department Chair

Michele Wood

Department Office/Website

Kinesiology and Health Science 121
657-278-3316
hhd.fullerton.edu/pubh

Faculty

Jordan Aquino, Jackie Blyleven, Laura Chandler, Shana Charles, Anthony DiStefano, Lilia Espinoza, Phillip Gedalanga, Jasmeet Gill, Danny Kim, Maria Koleilat, Alice Lee, Michele Mouttapa, Archana McEligot, Bo Young Park, Jennifer Piazza, Portia Jackson Preston, Alysia Rivera, Laurie Roades, Pimbucha Rusmevichientong, Tabashir Sadegh-Nobari, Mojgan Sami, Diana Tisnado, Dara Vazin, Michele Wood, Joshua Yang

Introduction

The mission of Public Health focuses on understanding and promoting health in diverse populations. Public health bridges the gap between scientific discoveries and the application of this knowledge to improve the quality of people’s lives. Public health research reflects the range of diverse health problems, settings and populations. The approach considers the multi-level determinants of health and well-being, including individuals, groups, organizations and communities. Public health professionals work at these various levels to implement and evaluate efforts that promote health and prevent illness and disease. An important aspect of this process involves empowering people to change the factors that influence their health and well-being, be it within the individual or in their social environment.

The Public Health program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with concentrations in general studies, environmental and occupational health and safety, global health, health education and promotion, and public health nutrition. The undergraduate minor in Public Health, based on core curricula, provides opportunities for professional and/or personal enhancement.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree offers specialized areas of study in health promotion and disease prevention, environmental and occupational health, and gerontological health.

Degree Descriptions

The bachelor of science degree program in Public Health provides graduates with an understanding of a wide range of health-related topics, including core functions and disciplines of public health, diseases and their causes, distributions of diseases, risk factors and prevention, behavior-change theory and application, health promotion program design, and research and evaluation. Public health bridges the gap between scientific discoveries and the application of this knowledge to improve the quality of life. The Public Health program is unique in that it offers a strong emphasis on problem-solving skills and critical thinking, while providing a solid foundation in basic and health-related sciences. Graduates with a degree in Public Health are prepared for careers or professional studies related to public health, health care and health promotion in various public and private, clinical and non-clinical settings. With academic advising, the program may also be used to prepare students for the national exam to become a certified health education specialist (CHES) or a registered environmental health specialist (REHS).

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree combines the study of the physical, psychological, economic and social forces affecting the human condition. The degree’s curriculum seeks to analyze not only the nature and context of public health problems, but also the organizational, behavioral, socio-cultural and political constraints to ameliorating these problems. Through experiences in and out of the classroom, students develop the habit of intellectual inquiry, prepare for challenging professions, strengthen relationships to their communities and contribute productively to society. The program’s purpose is to prepare public health professionals to draw on the knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines to define, critically assess, evaluate and resolve public health problems. MPH program graduates will have a common educational grounding that enables them to work effectively with the broad spectrum of public health issues that they face during their public health careers. Graduates with an MPH are prepared for careers related to public health, health care and health promotion in various public and private settings, including as health program planners, program evaluators, program managers, health educators, and health and safety managers.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Master of Public Health

Public Health, M.P.H.

Non-Degree

Public Health Minor

Courses

Public Health

Courses are designated as PUBH in the class schedule.