Public Health, BHS
The Allied Health Department offers a Bachelor of Health Science with a major in Public Health. The BHS PH degree will prepare students for a career in the field of Public Health by providing knowledge, skills and experience specific to public health. The curriculum is appropriate for students with a wide range of interests and career goals such as education, community outreach, marketing, policy and advocacy, epidemiology, and research. This degree will also prepare students who wish to continue on to a graduate program.
Program Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) Public Health degree is to prepare professionals and pre-professionals for leadership and management positions in public health-related fields.
Washburn University Assessment – Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- PSLO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of public health infrastructure and the workforce.
- PSLO 2: Discuss the role of evidence-based theories in public health.
- PSLO 3: Interpret quantitative and qualitative data following current scientific standards.
- PSLO 4: Recognize the foundational values of equity, social justice, and ethics in public health practice.
- PSLO 5: Describe the health and social determinants of diverse community populations.
- PSLO 6: Identify the necessity of collaboration and partnerships in public health practice.
- PSLO 7: Develop effective practices for public health policy and program development.
- PSLO 8: Apply critical thinking to public health decision-making.
- PSLO 9: Practice professional and effective communication with diverse audiences.
Admission Requirements
- Completed or be working toward an associate degree or have completed at least 45 college credit hours, including program prerequisites.
- MA 112 Contemporary College Mathematics or MA 116 College Algebra or equivalent (3)
- AL 101 Foundations of Healthcare
- BI 230 Introduction to Human Physiology (3) OR BI 255 Human Physiology w/Lab (4) OR
- AL 320 Human Disease
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum of a 2.25 Washburn GPA if appropriate.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 34-35 hours of General Education and any additional hours needed to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for graduation. Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education or other degree requirements. Please see your advisor for more information.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses Inside Department | ||
| AL 101 | Foundations of Healthcare | 3 |
| AL 320 | Human Disease | 3 |
| AL 367 | Foundations of Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
| AL 375 | Health Care Policy | 3 |
| AL 400 | Supervisory Practices for the Health Care Professional | 3 |
| AL 430 | Essentials of Public Health | 3 |
| AL 460 | Research in Health Care | 3 |
| AL 465 | Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health | 3 |
| AL 470 | Public Health Program Planning | 3 |
| AL 475 | Public Health Program Management | 3 |
| AL 360 | Independent Study/Allied Health (Internship) | 3 |
| or AL 480 | Senior Seminar In Healthcare | |
| Upper Division Elective Hours | 9 | |
| Suggested Upper-Division Electives | ||
| Legal & Regulatory Issues for the Health Care Professional | ||
| Health Information Systems | ||
| Financial Issues in Health Care I | ||
| Current Issues in Health Care | ||
| Special Topics in Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Critical Issues in Health | ||
| Mental Health and Addiction | ||
| Multicultural Issues | ||
| Information Literacy Health Professions | ||
| Multicultural Psychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Problems in Public Administration | ||
or PO 374 | Topics: Public Administration | |
| Required Courses Outside Department | ||
| BI 230 | Introduction to Human Physiology | 3-4 |
| or BI 250 | Introduction to Human Anatomy | |
| or BI 255 | Human Physiology | |
| or BI 275 | Human Anatomy | |
| CN 306 | Health Communication | 3 |
| EN 300 | Advanced College Writing | 3 |
| or EN 308 | Scientific and Technical Writing | |
| HS 300 | Prevention and Social Change | 3 |
| WU 101 | The Washburn Experience | 3 |
| Total Hours | 57-58 | |