Undergraduate Academic Programs

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Public Health - Community Health Degree

Description of Program

The B.S.P.H. in Community Health (CH) degree is a four-year undergraduate program offered through the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University Bloomington. The field of public health promotes and protects the health of people where they live, work, and play. Public health workers address the behavioral and socio-ecological factors that influence health outcomes around the globe. They work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, schools, universities, and corporations. This degree program aligns with the competencies established by the Council on Education for Public Health, the federally recognized accrediting body for public health academic programs.

Students who choose this degree option study the core disciplines in public health: epidemiology, public health administration, environmental health, biostatistics, and social and behavioral health. Core coursework includes theoretical and applied study of health promotion and disease prevention, health disparities, research methods, measurement and evaluation, public health program planning, and community health. At the conclusion of their coursework, students complete an internship, gaining experience in the day-to-day operations of a public health agency and participating in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs.

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to a B.S.P.H. in Community Health. Graduation requirements include:

  • completion of general education requirements.
  • completion of community health major requirements.
  • a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours that count toward the degree program.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • no pass/fail except for free electives.
General Education (20–39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington General Education Common Ground Requirements.

Major (80–87 credits)

A combined 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses used to complete the Anatomy and Physiology, Public Health Core, Community Health courses, Additional Required Courses, and Related Content courses.

Anatomy and Physiology (3-10 cr.)
Complete one of the following options for Anatomy & Physiology:

OPTION 1: This requirement may be met by completing the following one-course combination of Anatomy and Physiology:

  • MSCI-M 115 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (3 cr.) +N&M

OPTION 2: Alternatively, students may meet this requirement by completing the following individual courses in Anatomy and Physiology:

  • ANAT-A 225 Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
  • PHSL-P 225 Human Physiology (5 cr.) +N&M

Public Health Core (15 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each course.
Complete each of the following courses:

  • SPH-B 366 Community Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.)
  • SPH-P 309 Public Health Administration (3 cr.)
  • SPH-Q 381 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr.)
  • SPH-V 241 Foundations of Environmental Health (3 cr.) +N&M

Community Health Courses (23 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each course.
Complete each of the following courses:

  • SPH-B 310 Public Health in Diverse Communities (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 403 Public Health Program Planning (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 496 BSPH Public Health Internship (5 cr.) (P: Department consent -and- all major classes completed -and- 2.0 cumulative GPA)
  • SPH-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 494 Research and Evaluation Methods in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-K 200 Computer Technology in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-V 235 Introduction to Public Health Biology (3 cr.) +N&M

Additional Required Courses (18-22 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

  • BIOL-L 104 Introductory Biology Lectures (3 cr.) +N&M -or- BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.) +N&M -or- BIOL-L 100 Humans and the Biological World (5 cr.) +N&M
  • CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry 1 (3 cr.) +N&M -or- CHEM-C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles (5 cr.) +N&M -or- CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (3 cr.) (P: Department consent) +N&M 
  • SPH-B 250 Public Health Communication (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 360 Writing in Public Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-F 150 Intro to Life Span Development (3 cr.) +S&H -or- PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.) +N&M
  • SPH-B 360 Professional Pathways in Community Health (2 cr.)
  • SPH-K 301 Professional and Career Preparation (1 cr.)

Related Content Courses (21 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each course.
Complete any 21 credits from the following courses.

Public Health

  • SPH-B 150 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-B 416 Introduction to Health Counseling (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 491 Readings in Public Health Education (1-3 cr.) (P: Department consent)
  • SPH-B 492 Research in Public Health Education (1-3 cr.) (P: Department consent)
  • SPH-H 350 Topical Seminar in Health Promotion (1-3 cr.)

Public Health, Gerontology

  • SPH-B 315 Health in the Later Years (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 335 Aging, Health, and Diverse Populations (3 cr.)
  • SPH-B 354 Aging Today (3 cr.)

Human Development and Family Studies

  • SPH-F 150 Introduction to Life Span Development (3 cr.) +S&H (if not taken as part of the Additional Required Courses)
  • SPH-F 180 Introduction to Child and Youth Work (3 cr.)
  • SPH-F 255 Human Sexuality (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-F 258 The Tie That Binds: Relationships, Marriage and the Family  (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-F 330 Leadership Theory and Practice in Youth Development (3 cr.)
  • SPH-F 341 Today's Families: Understanding Change in Family Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • SPH-F 345 Parents, Parenting and Children (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)  
  • SPH-F 346 The Prenatal Period Through Early Childhood - Human Development I (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)  
  • SPH-F 347 Middle Childhood Through Adolescence - Human Development II (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)  
  • SPH-F 348 Early Through Late Adulthood Human Development III (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)
  • SPH-F 350 Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr.) (repeatable with different topics) 
  • SPH-F 410 The Science of Positive Youth Development (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)
  • SPH-F 417 African American and Latino Families (3 cr.) (P: SPH-F 150)
  • SPH-F 458 Family Law and Policy (3 cr.) (P: Must be Human Development and Family Studies or Youth Development Major)
  • SPH-L 102 Personal Leadership Development (1 cr.)

Topical Health and Health Promotion

  • SPH-H 150 Children's Health up to Age 5 (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 160 First Aid and Emergency Care (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 170 Health through the College Years (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 172 International Health and Social Issues (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 174 Prevention of Violence in American Society (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 180 Stress Prevention and Management (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 205 Introduction to Health Promotion (1 cr.)
  • SPH-H 220 Death and Dying (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 235 Obesity and Health (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-H 305 Women's Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 306 Men's Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 315 Consumer Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 318 Drug Use in American Society (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 319 Global Health Promotion (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 320 The Nature of Cancer (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 326 Sexually Transmitted Infections (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 330 Human Sexuality Education in Diverse Settings (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 333 Strategies for Effective Peer Education and Advocacy (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 334 Heart Health and Diabetes (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 351 Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 380 Maternal and Child Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 395 Practicum in College Sex Education (3 cr.) (P: Department consent)
  • SPH-H 401 Emergency Medical Technician (3 cr.) (P: SPH-H 160) (C: SPH-H 404)
  • SPH-H 404 Emergency Medical Technician Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • SPH-H 418 The Nature of Substance Use Disorder (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 419 Principles of Substance Abuse, Assessment, and Treatment (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 420 Current Events and Controversies in Sexual and Reproductive Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 430 Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellness (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 455 Sexual Consent and Sexual Violence (3 cr.)
  • SPH-H 460 Practicum in First Aid Instruction (3 cr.) (P: SPH-H 160 with a minimum grade of B)
  • SPH-H 466 What's Law Got to do with it? Rights, Restrictions, and Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health (3 cr.)
  • SPH-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.) -or- SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) +N&M
  • SPH-R 101 Resource Development/Fundraising (3 cr.)
  • SPH-R 142 Living Well (3 cr.) +S&H
  • SPH-S 101 Introduction to Safety (3 cr.)
  • SPH-S 217 Safety: A Personal Focus (3 cr.)
  • Any one credit SPH course (1 cr.)

Pre-professional

  • BIOL-L 113 Biology Laboratory (3 cr.) (P or C: BIOL-L 112)
  • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • BIOL-L 323 Molecular Lab (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • BIOL-M 200 Microorganisms in Nature and Disease (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • BIOL-M 215 Microorganism Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • BIOL-M 250 Microbiology (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Lab (2 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry 1 Lectures (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-J 341 Principles of Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.) (P: CHEM-C 117 -or- equivalent)
  • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2 (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.) (P: CHEM-C 341 -or- equivalent with C- or higher)
  • CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.) -or- CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors (2 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes) -or- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • CHEM-N 331 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes)
  • CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (2 cr.)
  • PHYS-P 201 General Physics 1 (5 cr.) +N&M
  • PHYS-P 202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.) (P: see schedule of classes) +N&M
  • SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +S&H -or- SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies, TOPIC: Medicine in America, or other topics as approved by the advisor +S&H

+ Courses with an A&H notation may apply toward both major requirements and the general education, arts and humanities requirement.

+ Courses with an S&H notation may apply toward both major requirements and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

+ Courses with an N&M notation may apply toward both major requirements and the general education, natural and mathematical sciences requirement.


Suggested Community Health Courses for the First-Year Student
Fall Semester
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.) or equivalent for General Education English Composition
BIOL L 104 or BIOL L 112 (for pre-med) (3 cr.)
SPH-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.)
Related Content (3 cr.)
Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring Semester
MATH M 106 or equivalent for General Education Math Modeling (3 cr.)
PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.)
SPH V 241 Foundations of Environmental Health (3 cr.) +N&M
Related Content Course (3 cr.)
CHEM C 101 or CHEM C 103 or CHEM C 117 (3 cr.) +N&M

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. Students will have the knowledge needed to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam and may earn additional credentials such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Students who successfully complete SPH-H333 Strategies for Effective Peer Health Education and Advocacy (3cr) will become certified Peer Educators through NASPA.

Careers

The work of a public health professional is diverse and includes activities such as tracking the spread of disease and illness; developing, managing, and evaluating programs designed to change health-related behaviors; implementing regulatory initiatives; and working with policymakers to facilitate societal change to promote well-being. Public interest in a healthy lifestyle and equitable health outcomes 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:          

  • Case Manager Specialist
  • Community Health Worker
  • Contact Tracer
  • Disease Prevention Manager
  • Disease Intervention Specialist
  • Global Health Worker
  • Health and Wellness Coach
  • Health Data Analyst 
  • Health Program Evaluator
  • Health Promotion Specialist
  • Life Coach
  • Maternal and Child Health Specialist
  • Public Health Educator
  • Public Health Navigator
  • Prevention Specialist
  • Program Director
  • Research Assistant
  • Sexual Health Educator
  • Technical Advisor for HIV/AIDS Programs
  • Vaccine Advisor and Program Manager
  • Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator

 

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