Welcome to the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health!
Undergraduate
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science in Public Health - Community Health
A Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) in Community Health prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to positively impact the health of individuals and communities. Through coursework and community-based learning experiences, students will learn how to apply the principles of social justice to improve a community’s social and health outcomes. Students gain hands-on experience in community assessment, health intervention and program development, community organizing, communication, and advocacy. Students will be well trained to enter the public health workforce and will also be eligible to become a national Certified Health Education Specialist upon graduation.
Competencies
Upon completion of the BSPH in Community Health program, graduates will be able to:
- Recognize the structural and social determinants of health that affect individuals and communities.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of social justice as the ethical framework for advancing community health.
- Explain and apply the public health domains of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy and management to the social and behavioral sciences domain.
- Describe the historical role of public health nationally and globally, and identify and understand current and future public health challenges faced by the U.S. and the world.
- Obtain, analyze, synthesize, and apply quality data for assessment and planning in community health programs.
- Engage community stakeholders and organize communities to determine health priorities and plan effective community health interventions and programs.
- Coordinate and monitor the delivery of community health interventions and programs.
- Implement appropriate and equitized data collection and analysis procedures for evaluation and research related to community health promotion.
- Develop appropriate and effective health promotion communication materials and messaging.
- Communicate effectively with diverse individuals, communities, and stakeholders.
- Advocate for evidence-based practices, programming, and policies that affect the health of individuals and communities.
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply ethical decision making and professionalism.
Curriculum
To complete this degree, you will take a minimum of 35 credit hours of general education courses, 69 credit hours of coursework in the major, and 16 credit hours of general electives that together total at least 120 credits. Major requirements can be mapped to fulfill requirements for pre-med and other pre-professional plans.
Students who are interested in this degree are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services at (317) 274-2000. Our advisors can answer questions about degree requirements, eligible classes, course substitutions, and course waivers. We’re here to help you.
Community Health Curriculum
To complete this degree, you will take a minimum of 35 credit hours of General Education courses, 69 credit hours of coursework in the major, and 16 credit hours of general electives that together total at least 120 credits. The specific distribution of classes is as follows:
Academic Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Public Health - Community Health majors must fulfill the IUPUI General education requirements corresponding the IUPUI's Statewide Transferrable General Education Core.
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core (pick 3 Courses) - Minimum 9 Credit Hours
- PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- SOC-R 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- GEOG-G 110 Human Geography in a Changing World (3 credits)
- ANTH-A 104 Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
Public Health Core Courses (5 Courses) - Minimum 15 Credit Hours
Each of the Following five course:
- PBHL-A 316 Environmental Health Science (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 120 Health Care Delivery in the US (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 305 Careers in Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 330 Evidence-Based Writing in Public Health (3 credits)
Community Health Courses
Each of the following 12 Community Health core courses:
- PBHL-S 220 Navigating the Maze to Healthy Living (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 330 Theoretical Foundations of Community Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 337 Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 340 Cultural Considerations in the Promotion of Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 349 Research Methods in Community Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 360 Assessment and Planning for Community Health Promotion P: S120, S330 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 361 Implementation and Evaluation for Community Health Promotion P: S360 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 416 Health Promotion Application P: S361 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 460 Biosocial Approach to Global Health P: S361, S315 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 479 Internship in Community Health P: Senior Standing, 2.5 GPA S361 (6 credits)
- PBHL-S 499 Capstone Experience-BSPH in Community Health (3 credits) P: Must Be Last Semester; 2.5 GPA (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 469* Practicum in Community Health
* Students can opt to complete PBHL-S 469 and an additional general elective with permission
Required Health Electives (5 Course) - 15 Credit Hours.
Required health electives are organized into groups. Select once course from each group from the options listed below.
Choose 1 course from each group for a total of 15 credit hours
Global Health Electives
Choose 1 course for a total of 3 credits
- PBHL-P 450 Healthcare Systems around the World - Any FSPH Public Health Study Abroad Program (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 330 Global Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 415 Explosions, Collapses, and Toxic Spills: Prevention and Response (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 250 Health and Rehabilitation Systems Across the World (3 credits)
- NTRD-D 460 Global Perspectives in Nutrition, Health, Disease, and Disability (3 credits)
Mental Health Electives
Choose 1 course for a total of 3 credits
- PBHL-S 222 This Stress is Killing Me: Stress and its Effects on You (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 325 Urban Angst and Suburban Blues: Public Mental Health (3 credits)
- SOC-R 485 Sociology of Mental Illness (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 315 High Risk Health Behaviors and Harm Reduction (3 credits)
- SOC-R 410 Alcohol, Drugs, and Society (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 333 Buzzed and Stoned: Epidemiology of Substance Abuse (3 credits)
Contemporary Issues Electives
Choose 1 course for a total of 3 credits
- PBHL-S 105 Public Health & Film (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 210 Zombie Apocalypse and Other Doomsday Infections (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 335 Pandemics Lurking in the Shadows: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 395 Sores, Drips: Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (3 credits)
- SOC-R 385 AIDS and Society (3 credits)
- HPER-H 305 Women's Health (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 220 Aging and the Older Person (3 credits)
- SOC-R 315 Sociology of Disability (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 325 Injury Prevention (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 330 Humans in Extreme Environments (3 credits)
Leadership and Management Electives
Choose 1 course for a total of 3 credits
- PBHL-H 361 Leadership in Health Management: Resolving Disputes and Difficult Conversations (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 375 Management of Health Service Organizations (3 credits)
- SPEA-V 263 Public Management (3 credits)
- SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 credits)
- SPEA-V 366 Managing Behaviors in Public Organizations (3 credits)
Skill Development Electives
Choose 1 course for a total of 3 credits
- PBHL-S 422 Coaching for Health and Wellness (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 441 Public Health Applications of Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
General Electives
- Additional courses beyond the IUPUI Common Core, General Education, and Major requirements to total 120 credit hours.
Grade Point Average Requirement
In order to be admitted to this degree program a student must have earned a 2.5 undergraduate cumulative and previous semester GPA. In addition, students must maintain at least a 2.5 semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) to remain in good academic standing and graduate from this program.
Accelerated 4 + 1 BSPH - MPH Curriculum
Academic Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Public Health - Community Health majors must fulfill the IUPUI general education requirements corresponding the IUPUI's Statewide Transferrable General Education Core.
Community Health Major Courses:
Social and Behavioral Sciences Core (pick 3 courses)
- PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- SOC-R 100 Introduction to Sociology (3credits)
- GEOG-G 110 Human Geography in a Changing World (3 credits)
- ANTH-A 104 Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
Public Health Core Courses (5 Courses) - Minimum 15 Credit Hours
Each of the Following five courses:
- PBHL-A 316 Environmental Health Science (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 120 Health Care Delivery in the US (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 305 Careers in Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 330 Evidence-Based Writing in Public Health (3 credits)
Community Health Courses
Each of the following nine Community Health core courses:
- PBHL-S 220 Navigating the Maze to Healthy Living (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 315 Community Organizing for Health Promotion (3 credits
- PBHL-S 330 Theoretical Foundations of Community Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 337 Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 340 Cultural Considerations in the Promotion of Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 349 Research Methods in Community Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 360 Assessment and Planning for Community Health Promotion P: S120, S330 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 361 Implementation and Evaluation for Community Health Promotion P: S360 (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 499 Capstone Experience-BSPH in Community Health (3 credits)
Required Health Electives (3 Courses) - 9 Credit Hours.
Required health electives are organized into groups. Select three courses from three different groups.
Global Health Electives (1 Course) - 3 Credit Hours
- PBHL-P 450 Healthcare Systems around the World - Any FSPH Public Health Study Abroad Program** (3 credits)
- PBHL-H 330 Global Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 415 Explosions, Collapses, and Toxic Spills: Prevention and Response (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 250 Health and Rehabilitation Systems Across the World (3 credits)
- NTRD-N 460 Global Perspectives in Nutrition, Health, Disease, and Disability (3 credits)
Contemporary Issues Electives (1 Course) - 3 Credits
- PBHL-S 105 Music, Movies, and Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 210 Zombie Apocalypse and Other Doomsday Infections (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 335 Pandemics Lurking in the Shadows: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases (3 credits)
- PBHL-E 395 Sores, Drips: Epidemiology of STI's (3 credits)
- SOC-R 385 AIDS and Society (3 credits)
- HPER-H 305 Women's Health (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 220 Aging and the Older Person (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 325 Injury Prevention (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 330 Humans in Extreme Environments (3 credits)
Skill Development Electives (1 Course) - 3 Credit Hours
- PBHL-S 422 Coaching for Health and Wellness (3 credits)
- PBHL-A 441 Public Health Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3 credits)
MPH-SBS Year 1
All of the following courses:
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 511 Comprehensive Methods and Applications in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 617 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (3 credits
- PBHL-S 605 Public Health Biology (1 credit)
- PBHL-S 619 Health Disparities and Health Equity (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 513 Planning, Evaluation & Management in Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 512 Communication & Leadership in Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 602 Public Health/SBS Internship (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 620 A Biopsychosocial Approach to Stress (3 credits)
MPH-SBS Year 2
All of the following courses:
- PBHL-S 615 Public Health Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 662 Integrated Learning Experience 1: Advanced Program Planning (4 credits)
- PBHL-S 630/S622 Global Maternal & Child Health OR Coaching for Health Behavior Change (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 664 Integrated Learning Experience 2: Research Methods & Program Evaluation (4 credits)
- PBHL-S 625/S635 Applied Public Health Campaigns OR Biosocial Approach to Global Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-S 640/S635 Culture & Health OR Biosocial Approach to Global Health (3 credits)
Updated February 9, 2022