Public Health
Bethany Fortier, MPH, CHES
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Health Promotion Studies
bfortier@une.edu
Mission
The mission of UNE’s Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health is to prepare graduates to address the complex public health problems that global populations face through the generation of new knowledge, use of scientific evidence and collaborations with diverse stakeholders.
Major Description
Public health is defined as "all organized measures to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life among the population as a whole. Its activities aim to provide conditions in which people can be healthy and focus on entire populations, not on individual patients" (World Health Organization, 2016). Therefore, the field of public health focuses on the promotion of health and prevention of disease at a population level. As a student in UNE’s Public Health program, you will develop the skills necessary to assess and understand the complexity of health issues that affect diverse populations, and identify potential solutions to address them. Benefiting from small class sizes, hands-on experiences, and one-on-one engagement with experienced faculty, you will learn how to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and to communicate complex health concepts to diverse audiences. The coursework you complete through our program will expand on the five (5) core areas of public health:
- Health Policy: Developing laws and regulations to promote and protect health (e.g. seatbelt laws).
- Environmental Health: Assessing how the environment affects health (e.g. air and water quality).
- Social and Behavioral Health: Studying how people make health decisions and how to encourage healthier decision-making (e.g. how marketing influences health behavior decisions).
- Epidemiology: Studying how and why diseases are distributed in a population (e.g. tracing outbreaks of infectious diseases).
- Biostatistics: Analyzing population-level data to identify trends (e.g. using data to associate tobacco exposure with lung cancer).
UNE’s Public Health program offers you the flexibility to pursue a minor in Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Nutrition, Political Science, or Health, Law and Policy.
Curricular Requirements
| WCHP Common Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 208/208L – Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 209/209L – Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 309 – Pathophysiology | 3 |
| ENG 110 – English Composition | 4 |
| IHS 130 – Interprofessional Health Care First-Year Experience | 3 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| NUTR 220 – Nutrition | 3 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| One (1) Creative Arts course (with prefix ARH, ART or MUS) | 3 |
| One (1) Explorations course | 3 |
| One (1) Social Global Awareness Course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 49 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 242/242L – Applied Microbiology w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 440 – OneHealth | 3 |
| ENV 104 – Environmental Issues | 3 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health & Wellness | 3 |
| IHS 212 – Health Determinants | 3 |
| OS 200 – Medical Terminology and Health Literacy (formerly HWOS 200) | 3 |
| OS 341 – Health & Wellness in Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341) | 3 |
| OS 434 – Substance Misuse & Prevention (formerly HWOS 434) | 3 |
| PSC 325 – Politics in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 200 – Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 205 – Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUB 300 – Global Health | 3 |
| PUB 305/OS 316 – Research Methods (formerly PUB 305/HWOS 316) | 3 |
| PUB 310 – Social, Behavioral & Enviro. Factors in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 400 – Public Health Planning & Evaluation | 3 |
| PUB 405 – Health Care Organization & Policy | 3 |
| PUB 410 – Internship Experience/Research/Practicum | 3–6 |
| PUB 420 – Community Health Assessment | 3 |
| SOC 355 – Medical Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 58–61 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Academic and Technical Standards
Students in the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health are subject to University undergraduate academic standards and requirements set forth by the Westbrook College of Health Professions.
In keeping with the guidelines for the Westbrook College of Health Professions, students must achieve a minimum grade of a C- in the following courses: MAT 120/150, BIO 104, BIO 208, BIO 209, BIO 242, BIO 309, and NUTR 220. Failure to achieve a C- will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression.
Students need to achieve a grade of C or better in all Public Health major coursework.
Students who fail to achieve a grade of C- in the above courses and a grade of C in the Public Health major courses may re-take the course only once. Failure to earn a grade of C- in the designated courses or a C in the Public Health major courses the second time will result in the dismissal from the Public Health major.
Competencies
At the conclusion of the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health program, the graduate will be able to:
- Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, through a variety of media, to diverse audiences.
- Locate, use, evaluate, and synthesize public health information.
- Appreciate the multiple determinants of health.
- Advocate for evidence-based approaches to improve the health of individuals and communities.
- Engage in collaborative and culturally relevant approaches to improve local, regional and global public health.
- Value the relationship between human rights and health.
Minor
The public health minor provides an opportunity for students interested in national and global health, as well as future graduate study in public health and/or other allied health professions to expand their knowledge in the area of public health.
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| PUB 200 – Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 205 – Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUB 310 – Social, Behavioral & Environmental Factors in Public Health | 3 |
| Nine (9) credits of Program Specific Electives (See below) | 9 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 18 |
|---|
| Program Specific Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANT 211 – Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| BIO 440 – Medical Biology Topics: One Health | 3 |
| ENV 200 – Society, Population, & Environment: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspectives | 3 |
| NUTR 342 – Food Systems and Public Health | 3 |
| PSC 325 – Politics of Public Health | 3 |
| SOC 215 – Poverty | 3 |
| SOC 355 – Medical Sociology | 3 |
| Any OS Course (formerly HWOS prefix) | 3–4 |
| Any PUB Course | 3–4 |
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. If a student wants to take a course not listed here as an elective option, they can meet with their advisor to discuss the academic impact of taking a particular course and how it will enhance their public health learning and knowledge.
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.
Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
For entrance into the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health major, students must have completed:
- Two (2) high school science laboratory courses in subject areas such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Three (3) years of mathematics up through and including Algebra II.
Students seeking admission should have completed a high school curriculum reflective of collegiate preparation which includes: four (4) years of English, three (3) years of mathematics, two (2) years of science with a laboratory, and two (2) years of social science.
Applicants submit their materials to the Office of Admissions during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Qualified students who apply after the fall are admitted on a space-available basis.
Internal Transfer Students
Students who are enrolled in another major at the University of New England may apply for admission into the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health by completing a change of major form. The Admissions Committee meets at the close of each semester to determine eligibility.
The applicant is encouraged to explore professional possibilities by shadowing a public health professional, exploring professional public health websites, volunteering in a program that provides public health services or education to the community, and speaking with faculty who teach in the program. Please include any of these relevant experiences in the required essay referenced below.
The process to apply for a change of major to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health is as follows:
- Meet with a current academic advisor to discuss transferring into Public Health.
- Make an appointment and discuss your interest in public health with a faculty/administrator of the program.
- Complete and submit a Request to Change a Major form (PDF).
- Demonstrate solid achievement in mathematics and science coursework, and academic good standing with a grade point average of 2.5 or better at the time of the request.
- Submit all materials to the Public Health Program Administrator by the end of the academic semester.
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.