Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health 4 + 1 MHHS Track

Public Health

Wherever there’s a community in need, public health professionals answer the call—driving action, advocating for change, and responding to crises. They work across diverse settings, including public health agencies, non-profits, academia, private industry, and health care organizations.

Students who choose the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS) in Public Health 4+1 MHHS track can earn 9 semester hours of dual credit, which can apply to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. After completing their BSAS in Public Health, they can finish their Master of Health and Human Services (MHHS) in just one year. Students in the MHHS program can select a concentration in health promotion, healthcare administration, or health informatics. Applicants to the MHHS program must have a minimum GPA of 2.7.

The BSAS in Public Health offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of the following emphasis areas:

• Public Health Generalist

• Health Education and Promotion
• Environmental Health and Safety

The curriculum for the YSU bachelor’s degree in public health addresses each of the core disciplines in public health.

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Health Services Administration
• Environmental Health
• Behavioral Science/Health Education 

This curriculum enables mastery at the bachelor’s level of the nationally recognized foundational domains of public health and Public Health Core Competencies. All major courses can be completed through online distance learning options.

Students also have the option to pursue a minor in a field that enhances their degree in public health, broadening their academic experience and expertise.

Graduates of the BSAS in Public Health are well-prepared to obtain professional certifications. The degree provides a strong foundation for those pursuing the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Environmental Health Specialist exam. Students interested in the Environmental Health Specialist exam must complete a statistics course and at least 30 semester hours of science coursework to qualify.

The program also offers a minor in public health. Students pursing a minor in public health may choose one of the following emphasis areas:

• Public Health Generalist
• Community Health Planning and Evaluation
• Environmental Health and Safety

During the freshman and sophomore years, students are expected to take the courses that meet the requirements for general education. In addition to the English, mathematics, and communication requirement, specific general education courses for the BSAS public health degree include:

 A minimum of 120 semester hours are required for the BSAS in Public Health. No minor is required for this professional BSAS degree.

• While completing the BSAS in Public Health, students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all required PHLT and AHLT courses. 
• Courses taken under the Credit (CR)/No Credit (NC) option may not be counted toward to major.

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for public health are as follows:

• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the foundational domains of public health.
• Students will communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, through a variety of media and to diverse audiences.
• Students will locate, use, evaluate, and synthesize public health information.
• Students will display competence in the public health concepts necessary for success in the workplace, further education, and lifelong learning.

The BSAS in Public Health program will provide students with instruction in the foundational domains of public health and prepare them to complete the following responsibility in relation to health education:

• Assessment of Needs and Capacity
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation and Research
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Leadership and Management
• Ethics and Professionalism