• Description of Program
• Admission
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health, with a concentration in Community Health, is a four year undergraduate degree offered through the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University-Bloomington.  The field of public health is charged with assessing, understanding, and responding to the behavioral and ecological factors that influence the health of communities throughout the world. Public health professionals strive to improve the health of individuals and communities by efforts situated in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, schools and universities, and corporations. The proposed structure of the BSPH is consistent with the standards required by the Council on Education for Public Health, the federally recognized accrediting body for public health academic programs.  Students who choose the Public Health degree option are required to take courses related to the five core areas in public health: epidemiology, health administration, environmental health, biostatistics, and social and behavioral health. They also take courses that expose them to the basic fundamentals required of a public health professional in the areas of measurement and evaluation, theoretical and practical treatment of the concepts of disease prevention and health promotion, health disparities, research methods, public health program planning, and community health.  At the conclusion of their course work, students must complete an internship which allows them to experience the day-to-day operations of a public health agency in addition to participating in the development, implementation and evaluation of specific public

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree with a major in community health will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the community health program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

• The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
• The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation as a community health major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

• The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
• The student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in community health to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status. 

International transfer applicants to the School of HPER, whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper- based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test, is required for direct admission to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. For students from countries where the TOEFL is not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take the Indiana University English language examination before registering for course work. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of test results.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering.  Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section.  There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity.  

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements.  If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency.  If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country.  In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Public Health with emphasis in community health. There is a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) entrance requirement. Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of community health major requirements.
• a minimum of 124 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses with the following department code-prefixes: HPER-C, HPER-F, HPER-H, HPER-N, and HPER-S. 
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students at IU Bloomington in or after the summer term of 2011 must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2011-2012 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students on the IU Bloomington campus in the summer or fall terms of 2010, or the spring term of 2011, must complete the School of HPER general education requirements which are described below. Unlike the 2011-2112 Bloomington campus-wide general education requirements, the 2010 School of HPER general education requirements do not include a residency requirement, nor do they restrict the use of extended-term, independent study or correspondence courses.

2010 School of HPER General Education Requirements

English Composition (0 to 3 credits required, C- minimum required in the course used to satisfy this requirement)
Complete one of the following options:

• CMCL-C 110 Writing the World (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 170 Introduction to Argumentative Writing: Projects in Reading and Writing (3 cr. - this topic only)
• ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition by Examination (0 cr.)

Mathematical Modeling (3 to 4 credits required)
Complete one of the following options:

• MATH-A 118 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
• MATH-D 116 AND MATH-D 117 Introduction to Finite Mathematics I-II (4 cr.)
• MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-S 118 Honors Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
• MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite and Consumer Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-J 113 Introduction to Calculus with Applications (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus 1 (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.)
• MATH-M 213 Accelerated Calculus (4 cr.)

Note: The course(s) used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be applied to the natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

Complete either six credits of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses, or a single, approved, five-credit N&M course with a substantial laboratory component. The course used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be used to fulfill this requirement. Visit the list of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses for choices and more information.

Arts and Humanities (6 credits required)     
Complete six credits of acceptable arts and humanities (A&H) courses.

Social and Historical Studies (6 credits required.)
Complete six credits of acceptable social and historical studies (S&H) courses.

World Languages and Cultures (0 to 14 cr., most commonly 6 credits)
There are three options for completion of the world languages and cultures requirement.

• Option one: Complete six credits acceptable world cultures (WC) courses. 
• Option two: Complete the language study (LS) option, by achieving proficiency in a foreign language equal to successful completion of the second year, second semester course. 
• Option three: Complete an approved international experience (IE), and contact the School of HPER recorder to request a notation of completion of this requirement on the academic advisement report.

Major (90-94 cr.)

Public Health Course Requirement (18 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required in each course.
Complete each of the following courses:

• HPER-C 366 Community Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-C 403 Public Health Program Planning (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 311 Human Disease and Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 391 Introduction to Health Information and Statistics (3 cr.)
• SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health (3 cr.)
• SPEA-H 320 Health Systems Administration (3 cr.)

Health Course Requirement (17 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required in each course.
Complete each of the following courses:

• EDUC-R 341 Multimedia in Instructional Technology (3 cr.)
• HPER-C 310 Health Care in Diverse Communities (3 cr.)
• HPER-C 444 Field Experience in Public Health Education (5 cr.)
• HPER-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-H 494 Research and Evaluation Methods in Health and Safety (3 cr.)

Additional Required Courses (31-35 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
• BIOL-L 100 Humans and the Biological World (5 cr.) +N&M or L 104 Introductory Biology Lectures (3 cr.) +N&M or L 112 Biological Mechanisms (3 cr.) +N&M
• BIOL-M 200 Microorganisms in Nature and Disease (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry I (3 cr.) +N&M or C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles (5 cr.) +N&M or C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (5 cr.) +N&M
• CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.) +A&H
• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology I (3 cr.) +N&M
• PSY-P 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3 cr.) +S&H
• PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology (5 cr.) +N&M

Related Content Courses (24 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required in each course.
Complete any 24 credits from the following related content courses.

Public Health

• HPER-C 440 Research in Public Health (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-C 441 Readings in Public Health (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-H 317 Topical Seminar in Health Education (1-3 cr.)

Public Health, Gerontology

• HPER-C 315 Health in Later Years (3 cr.)
• HPER-C 335 Aging Health, and Diverse Populations (3 cr.)
• HPER-C 354 Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Gerontology (3 cr.)

Human Development and Family Studies

• HPER-F 150 Introduction to Life Span Human Development (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-F 255 Human Sexuality (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-F 258 Marriage and Family Interaction (3 cr.) +N&M
• HPER-F 317 Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 341 Effects of Divorce on Children (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 345 Parent/Child Relations (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 348 Human Development BI: Early, Middle, and Late Adulthood (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 355 Leading Family Process Discussion Groups (3 cr.)

Topical Health and Health Promotion

• HPER-H 150 Preschool Children's Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 160 First Aid and Emergency Care (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 163 Emerging Health Issues (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 172 International Health and Social Issues (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 174 Prevention of Violence in American Society (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-H 180 Stress Prevention and Management (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 205 Introduction to Health Education (S/F) (1 cr.)
• HPER-H 220 Death and Dying (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-H 234 Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 235 Obesity and Health (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-H 305 Women's Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 306 Men's Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 315 Consumer Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 318 Drug Use in American Society (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 319 Current Issues in Health Promotion (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 320  The Nature of Cancer (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 326 AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 327 Practicum in College Death Education (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 340 Practicum in College Sex Education (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 350 Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 418 The Nature of Addiction (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 460 Practicum in First Aid Instruction (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 464 Coordinated School Health Programs (3 cr.)
• HPER-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 217 Safety: A Personal Focus (3 cr.)
• HPER-T 101 Introduction to Resource Development/Fundraising (3 cr.)
• Any one credit HPER course (1 cr.)

Premedicine

• BIOL-L 111 Introduction to Biological Evolution and Diversity (3 cr.) +N&M or BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• Note: BIOL-L 112 is taken as a Life and Physical Sciences requirement.
• BIOL-L 113 Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• Note: CHEM-C 117 is taken as a Life and Physical Sciences requirement.
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Lab (2 cr.)
• CHEM-N 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (5 cr.)
• PHYS-P 201 General Physics I (5 cr.) +N&M
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr.) +N&M

Suggested Community Health Courses for the First-Year Student
Fall Semester
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.) or equivalent
HPER-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities /World Languages and Cultures Elective (3 cr.)
Mathematical Modeling Course (3 cr.)
PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology I (3 cr.)

Spring Semester
CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)
Related Content Course (3 cr.)
 Arts and Humanities Elective  (3 cr.)
World Languages and Cultures Elective (3 cr.)
PSY-P 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Degree programs in public health balance theoretical knowledge with professional experience through internships and opportunities to work with faculty on research, teaching, and service projects.

Careers

The work of a public health professional is diverse and includes activities such as documenting the spread of disease and illness, developing and managing programs designed to change health-related behaviors, implementing regulatory initiatives and working with policy makers to facilitate societal changes that promote well-being.  Public interest in a healthy lifestyle is increasing the demand for public health professionals. Public health careers can be found in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; universities; and with health foundations and health-based grant projects. A public health degree can lead to career positions such as the following:

• Biostatistician
• Disease Prevention Manager
• Environmental Health Specialist
• Health Data Analyst 
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Maternal and Child Health Specialist
• Public Health Educator
• Public Health Epidemiologist 
• Public Health Researcher
• Sexual Health Educator
• Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS Programs
• Vaccine Advisor and Program Manager
• Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator