B.S./B.A. in Public Health

Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

Program Director:Peter L. Walton, M.D.

Associate Program Director:David A. Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, CPH

Associate Program Director:Tammi Alvey Thomas, MSSW

Website:

Introduction

The B.S./B.A. in Public Health Program is an undergraduate program culminating in a bachelor of science in public health (BSPH) or bachelor of arts in public health (BAPH). The degrees are offered through the School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS) in the University of Louisville. SPHIS is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Graduates of the program are prepared for positions in specific sectors of public health, health services, or public policy for which baccalaureate-level education is appropriate and for professional careers in fields including health education, health services administration, health research, and legal, medical, nursing, dental, and other professions. The emphasis of training for the BSPH is public health practice; and for the BAPH, liberal studies in public health. Both degrees, in addition, prepare students for further professional or graduate education in public health, medicine, dentistry, nursing, urban planning, and other disciplines.

Public health is increasingly referred to as “population health” within the public health community and elsewhere to encompass the significant changes needed in the 21st century from the conventional concept of public health in the past. Population health comprises healthcare systems and social policy, in addition to traditional public health. This broader purview of population health is needed for public health to more effectively fulfill its mission as “[t]he science and art of promoting health, preventing disease, and prolonging life in the population through the organized efforts of society,”[1] “what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy,”[2] and “[its] main purpose … to maximize the health of the population, not just to minimize disease,”[3] where health is defined as “[a] state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”[4]

Competencies

Graduates of the program achieve the following competencies.

Competencies for B.S./B.A. in Public Health
Goal / Competency / Bloom’s Level[5]
Knowledge of the enterprise of public health / Discuss the origins and history of public health. / C2
Interpret public health and related roles and their structures, functions, responsibilities, and interrelationships / C4
Identify the public health impacts of government, non-government, and private organizations. / C4
Knowledge of human biology, health and disease, and culture relevant to public health / Discuss biology and pathophysiology as it relates to public health. / C2
Categorize health and disease determinants, disease risk factors, and modes of transmission for infectious diseases. / C3
Explain effects of health and disease on public health. / C2
Describe interrelationships among gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other evolving demographics on health and health disparities. / C4
Discuss approaches to human and organization behavior. / C2
Knowledge ofthe built and natural world relevant to public health / Categorize environmental factors that affect health. / C3
Apply approaches for identifying and assessing environmental health issues. / C3
Discuss approaches for managing environmental factors that affect health. / C2
Intellectual and practical skills / Analyze scientific and professional articles relevant to public health. / C3
Conduct literature searches of public health and related fields. / C3
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in relevant media. / C3
Explain the role of research, evaluation, and data in public health. / C2
Apply analytic methods used for health and research data. / C3
Participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork. / C3
Apply critical and systems thinking skills to new situations and complex problems. / C3
Demonstrate skills needed for anticipating, recognizing, and responding to urgent and emergency public health situations. / C3
Integration of culture, society, and public health / Explain how policies affecting public health are realized. / C2
Discuss the role of community engagement in promoting population health and social justice. / C2
Discuss multicultural perspectives and sensitivities in addressing public health issues. / C2
Participate in public health advocacy to improve public health, social justice, and health equity. / C3
Analyze ethical concerns, conflicts of interest, and alternative viewpoints that arise in the field of public health / C4
Analyze the roles of prevention and lifestyle behaviors in promoting a healthy community. / C4

Admission

Admission requirements depend on a student’s educational and public health experience, described in the following table.

Admission Requirements for B.S./B.A. in Public Health
Category / Required Credentials / Matriculation Status / Criteria
Entering first-year student /
  • Application and fee
  • High school transcript
  • ACT/SAT scores
/ Good standing /
  • One of:
  • Graduation from accredited high school
  • Successful completion of General Education Development (GED) tests
  • High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Pre-College Curriculum (PCC) GPA of 2.5 or higher (see Note 1, below)
  • One of:
  • ACT/SAT score of 21/980 or higher
  • ACT/SAT score of 19/940 or higher AND PCC GPA of 3.0 or higher (see Note 2, below)

Conditional (see Note 3, below) /
  • University minimum academic standards (see Note 4, below)

Transfer student with fewer than 24 credit hours /
  • Application and fee
  • High school transcript
  • ACT/SAT scores
  • College transcripts
/ Good standing /
  • College GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • One of:
  • Graduation from accredited high school
  • Successful completion of General Education Development (GED) tests
  • High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Pre-College Curriculum (PCC) GPA of 2.5 or higher (see Note 1, below)
  • One of:
  • ACT/SAT score of 21/980 or higher
  • ACT/SAT score of 19/940 or higher AND PCC GPA of 3.0 or higher (see Note 2, below)

Conditional (see Note 3, below) /
  • Above but with college GPA under 2.5 and one of:
  • Only one college term taken
  • Approved petition to Public Health Appeals Committee

Transfer student with 24 credit hours or more /
  • Application and fee
  • College transcripts
/ Good standing /
  • College GPA of 2.5 or higher

Conditional (see Note 3, below) /
  • Petition approved by Public Health Appeals Committee

Student switching major /
  • University transcript
/ Good standing /
  • University GPA of 2.5 or higher

Conditional (see Note 3, below) /
  • Petition approved by Public Health Appeals Committee

Post-baccalaureate student /
  • Application and fee
  • College transcripts
/ Good standing /
  • Degree posted

KY public health worker not meeting criteria for any of above categories /
  • Application and fee
  • High school transcript
  • ACT/SAT scores (if any)
  • College transcripts (if any)
  • Letter from director of health department
/ Conditional (see Note 3, below) /
  • One of:
  • Graduation from accredited high school
  • Successful completion of General Education Development (GED) tests
  • Salaried public health position with continuous employment for previous three years or more
  • Approval of Public Health Appeals Committee

Notes:

  1. Pre-College Curriculum (PCC) criterion are waived for applicants who are non-resident, 21 years of age or older, or international. PCC is described in Undergraduate Catalog, Admission to the University of Louisville.
  2. Criterion is not available to applicants who are non-resident, 21 years of age or older, or international.
  3. Conditionally-admitted students have post-matriculation requirements and restrictions discussed in section on Student Performance, below.
  4. See Undergraduate Catalog, Admission to the University of Louisville.

Curriculum

A student enrolled in the program proceeds through the curriculum in two phases, pre-major and major. The pre-major phase comprises three required courses (see Coursework, below) and completion of all general education requirements, some of which may apply to the degree requirements. The major phase is consists of public health and supporting courses and open elective courses, the requirements for which depend on the degree being pursued.

Student Performance

To remain in good standing, a student must maintain an overall cumulative GPA (“University GPA”) of 2.0 or higher and a cumulative “Program GPA" of 2.8 or higher in the following required program courses:

  • PHUN-301 Quantitative Public Health
  • PHUN-400 People, Policy, and the Environment
  • PHUN-405 Health Equity
  • PHUN-410 Global Health
  • PHUN-430 Scenario Analysis
  • PHUN-420 Practice of Public Health (Note: B.S. only)
  • PHUN-431 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 1
  • PHUN-432 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 2
  • PHUN-433 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 3
  • PHUN-440 Biology for Population Health
  • PHUN-441 Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health
  • PHUN-490 Senior Capstone 1 -- CUE
  • PHUN-491 Senior Capstone 2 -- CUE
  • PHUN-492 Senior Capstone 3 -- CUE

Note: “Semester University GPA” is the GPA for all courses taken by a student in a single semester or term. “Semester Program GPA” is the GPA for all program courses taken by a student in a single semester or term that are included in the above list of program courses in the Program GPA.

If a student falls below the performance standards, the following academic actions aretaken:

Academic Warning

  • Student is placed on warning if University GPA is less than 2.0.

Note: Students must have attempted at least 12 credit hours of degree-applicable work at UofL to be placed on academic warning. Warning status is assigned only once, at the first sign of academic difficulty, not each time a student's University GPA drops below 2.0.

  • Student is placed on warning if Program GPA is less than 2.8.

Note: Warning status is assigned only once, at the first sign of academic difficulty, not each time a student's Program GPA drops below 2.8.

  • Next semester's enrollment limitation: 13 credit hours in Fall/Spring and 10 credit hours in Summer.

Academic Probation

  • Student is placed on probation if:
  • University GPA is less than 2.0
  • Program GPA is less than 2.8
  • Next semester's enrollment limitation: 13 credit hours in Fall or Spring and 10 credit hours in Summer.
  • Required GPAs to avoid suspension and remain on probation: Semester University GPA 2.0 or higher, semester Program GPA 2.8 or higher.
  • Required GPAs to return to good standing:University GPA 2.0 or higher, Program GPA 2.8 or higher.

Academic Suspension

  • Student is placed on suspension if:
  • Both semester University GPA and University GPA areless than 2.0
  • Both semester Program GPA and Program GPA are below 2.8
  • First suspension consequences: Students must sit out the Spring term following a Fall suspension, the Summer and Fall terms following a Spring suspension, or the Fall term following a Summer suspension.
  • Second suspension consequences: Students must sit out at least three consecutive terms, including Summer, following suspension.
  • Third suspension consequences: A student isnot reinstated more than twice. A third suspension results in academic dismissal from the program.
  • Requirements for re-entry following a suspension (readmitted students are admitted in probation status): Students must petition for readmission through the Office of Admissions.

Note: The following deadlines apply for petitioning for readmission: July 1st for the Fall semester, November 1st for the Spring semester, and May 1st for the Summer term. Readmission is not guaranteed.

A student who was conditionally admitted is required to:

  • If the student’s ACT College Reading Scores are 18 or below or SAT I Verbal Scores are 430 or below must:
  • Participate in the state-mandated Supplemented Study Program in College Reading.
  • Register for one section of a non-mathematics general education course offered with supplemented study hours each week.
  • Register for required developmental courses immediately following matriculation and continue to do so until all deficiencies have been removed.
  • Register for at most of 14 credit hours of coursework in the first semester and at most 13 credit hours of coursework each semester thereafter until removed from conditional status.
  • Obtain approval of the student’s academic advisor regarding courses for which they are eligible to enroll prior to registration.

A student is removed from conditional status after meeting each of the following:

  • Successful completion of PHUN-100 Majoring in Public Health
  • Successful completion of PHUN-110 Tools for Learning and Public Health
  • Successful completion of any required developmental courses
  • University GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher in at least 3 credit hours of PHUN course required for the degree

Academic Advisor

A student is assigned an academic advisor on matriculation and is required to meet with his or her advisor as follows:

  • Pre-major phase, each semester
  • Within one week following mid-term examinations or its equivalent
  • Prior to registering for the next semester’s courses
  • Major phase, each semester
  • Prior to registering for the next semester’s courses

The student is responsible for scheduling required meetings with his or her advisor.

Program of Study

A student and his or her academic advisor collaborate on a program of study for the student, listing all past, present, and future coursework and milestones for the student. The program of study is updated at the end of each semester and requires the approval of the academic advisor prior to the student’s registration for courses the subsequent semester.

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Public Health

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Phase / Component / Requirement / Credit Hours
Pre-Major / General education / In Social and Behavioral Sciences:
  • PHUN-101 Introduction to Public Health – SB
/ 3
In Natural Sciences:
  • Biology course and lab
/ 4
Remaining general education requirements / 30
Pre-Major General education subtotal / 37
Programmatic requirements / Foreign language / 8
Electives / 15
Pre-Major Programmatic requirements subtotal / 23
Program core / PHUN-100 Majoring in Public Health / 1
PHUN-110 Tools for Learning and Public Health / 2
Pre-Major Program core subtotal / 3
Pre-major subtotal / 63
Major / Program core / PHUN-301Quantitative Public Health / 3
PHUN-400 People, Policy, and the Environment / 3
PHUN-405Health Equity / 3
PHUN-410 Global Health / 3
PHUN-430 Scenario Analysis / 2
PHUN-420 Practice of Public Health / 3
PHUN-431 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 1 / 2
PHUN-432 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 2 / 2
PHUN-433 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 3 / 2
PHUN-440 Biology for Population Health / 3
PHUN-441 Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health / 3
PHUN-490 Senior Capstone 1-- CUE / 1
PHUN-491 Senior Capstone 2 -- CUE / 3
PHUN-492 Senior Capstone 3 --CUE / 3
Major Program core subtotal / 36
Supporting courses / Health Behavior (one of):
  • ANTH-351, 352
  • COMM-305, -313, -328, -430, -530, -540, -590
  • PHIL-582, -583
  • PSYC 581
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Environmental Health (one of):
  • BIOL-263, -372, -440, -560, -562, -563
  • CEE-309
  • GEOS-200, -360
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Health Management (one of):
  • MGMT-358
  • BIOL-372, -440, -560, -562, -563
  • CEE-309
  • GEOS-200, -360
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Economics (one of):
  • ACCT-201
  • ECON-201, -202, -312, -341, -342, -355, -360
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Ethics (one of):
  • ANTH-351
  • PHIL-222, -321, -323, -328, -580, -581, -582, -583
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Quantitative (one of):
  • GEOG-256, -356-367, -522
  • SOC-303, -306
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Major Supporting courses subtotal / 18
Elective / Open (300 level and above) / 3
Major Elective subtotal / 3
Major subtotal / 57
Degree Total / 120

Degree Requirements for the B.A. in Public Health

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Public Health
Phase / Component / Requirement / Credit Hours
Pre-Major / General education / In Social and Behavioral Sciences:
  • PHUN-101 Introduction to Public Health -- SB
/ 3
In Natural Sciences:
  • Biology course and lab
/ 4
Remaining general education requirements / 30
Pre-Major General education subtotal / 34
Programmatic requirements / Foreign language / 8
Electives / 15
Pre-Major Programmatic requirements subtotal / 23
Program core / PHUN-100 Majoring in Public Health / 1
PHUN-110 Tools for Learning and Public Health / 2
Pre-Major Program core subtotal / 3
Pre-major subtotal / 63
Major / Program core / PHUN-301 Quantitative Public Health / 3
PHUN-400 People, Policy, and the Environment / 3
PHUN-405 Health Equity / 3
PHUN-410 Global Health / 3
PHUN-430 Scenario Analysis / 2
PHUN-431 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 1 / 2
PHUN-432 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 2 / 2
PHUN-433 Contemporary Issues in Public Health 3 / 2
PHUN-440 Biology for Population Health / 3
PHUN-441 Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health / 3
PHUN-490 Senior Capstone 1 -- CUE / 1
PHUN-491 Senior Capstone 2-- CUE / 3
PHUN-492 Senior Capstone 3 – CUE / 3
Major Program core subtotal / 33
Supporting courses / Health Behavior (one of):
  • ANTH-351
  • COMM-305, -313, -328, -430, -530, -540, -590
  • PHIL-582, -583
  • PSYC 581
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Environmental Health (one of):
  • BIOL-263, -372, -440, -560, -562, -563
  • CEE-309
  • GEOS-200, -360
  • Other courses as approved by the program
/ 3
Major Supporting courses subtotal / 6
Electives / Open (300 level and above) / 6@3
Major Elective subtotal / 18
Major subtotal / 57
Degree Total / 120

For either degree, the following apply for courses counting toward the degree:

  • A course that meets a requirement for more than one of general education, pre-major, or supporting courses may be countedtowardat most two requirement areas.

The credit-hour requirement for either degree, however, is not altered by double-counting courses in two different requirement areas and must be fulfilled with electives.

  • A course that meets a requirement for a requirement area may be countedat most once toward this requirement area.
  • A course may be counted at most once towardfulfilling the credit-hour requirement.

Coursework

Summaries of coursework for both degrees
Coursework Credit-Hour Summaries by Degree
Component / B.S. Credit Hours / B.A. Credit Hours
General education / 37 / 37
Programmatic requirements / 23 / 23
Program core / 39 / 36
Supporting courses / 18 / 6
Electives / 3 / 18
Totals / 120 / 120
Ideal sequence of courses by semester for B.S. degree
B.S. in Public Health: Ideal Course Sequence by Semester
Catalog ID / Title / Prerequisites / Credit Hours
Year 1 Fall Semester
PHUN-100 / Majoring in Public Health / major / 1
PHUN-110 / Tools for Learning & Public Health / major / 2
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 12
Year 1 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 1 Spring Semester
PHUN-101 / Introduction to Public Health -- SB / non-major OR PHUN-110 / 3
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 12
Year 1 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 2 Fall Semester
PHUN-440 / Biology for Population Health / Biology General Education requirement AND PHUN-110 AND PHUN-100 / 3
PHUN-301 / Quantitative Public Health / College algebra AND ( ( PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 ) OR Global Health minor ) / 3
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 9
Year 2 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 2 Spring Semester
PHUN-441 / Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health / PHUN-301 / 3
PHUN-430 / Public Health Scenario Analysis / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 2
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 10
Year 2 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 3 Fall Semester
PHUN-400 / People, Policy, and the Environment / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-431 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 1 / PHUN-430 / 2
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 10
Year 3 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 3 Spring Semester
PHUN-405 / Health Equity / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-432 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 2 / PHUN-430 / 2
PHUN-490 / Senior Capstone 1 – CUE / PHUN-431 OR PHUN-432 / 1
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 9
Year 3 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 4 Fall Semester
PHUN-410 / Global Health / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-433 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 3 / PHUN-430 / 2
PHUN-491 / Senior Capstone 2 -- CUE / PHUN-490 / 3
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 7
Year 4 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 4 Spring Semester
PHUN-420 / Practice of Public Health / PHUN-491OR PHUN-492 / 3
PHUN-492 / Senior Capstone 3 -- CUE / PHUN-490 / 3
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 9
Year 4 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Program total / 120
Ideal sequence of courses by semester for B.A. degree
B.A. in Public Health: Ideal Course Sequence by Semester
Catalog ID / Title / Prerequisites / Credit Hours
Year 1 Fall Semester
PHUN-100 / Majoring in Public Health / major / 1
PHUN-110 / Tools for Learning & Public Health / major / 2
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 12
Year 1 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 1 Spring Semester
PHUN-101 / Introduction to Public Health -- SB / non-major OR PHUN-110 / 3
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 12
Year 1 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 2 Fall Semester
PHUN-440 / Biology for Population Health / Biology General Education requirement AND PHUN-110 AND PHUN-100 / 3
PHUN-301 / Quantitative Public Health / College algebra AND ( ( PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 ) OR Global Health minor ) / 3
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 9
Year 2 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 2 Spring Semester
PHUN-441 / Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health / PHUN-301 / 3
PHUN-430 / Public Health Scenario Analysis / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 2
various / General education requirements / supporting courses / electives / various / 10
Year 2 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 3 Fall Semester
PHUN-400 / People, Policy, and the Environment / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-431 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 1 / PHUN-430 / 2
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 10
Year 3 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 3 Spring Semester
PHUN-405 / Health Equity / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-432 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 2 / PHUN-430 / 2
PHUN-490 / Senior Capstone 1 – CUE / PHUN-431 OR PHUN-432 / 1
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 9
Year 3 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Year 4 Fall Semester
PHUN-410 / Global Health / PHUN-110 AND PHUN-101 / 3
PHUN-433 / Contemporary Issues in Public Health 3 / PHUN-430 / 2
PHUN-491 / Senior Capstone 2 -- CUE / PHUN-490 / 3
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 7
Year 4 Fall Semester subtotal / 15
Year 4 Spring Semester
PHUN-492 / Senior Capstone 3 -- CUE / PHUN-490 / 3
various / supporting courses / electives / various / 12
Year 4 Spring Semester subtotal / 15
Program total / 120

Supporting Courses

The following tables list supporting courses that are already approved; a student may propose a course not listed here, which requires approval of the program director.