Pre-Public Health

Pre-Public Health

Essential Courses

Important Notes

• Public Health has 10 major specialties, including Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Nutrition, Health Services Administration, Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Occupational Safety and Health, Public Health Practice and Program Management, Biomedical and Laboratory Practice, and International Public Health.
• Most specialties focus on analytical thinking. Therefore math and science courses are helpful. Prerequisites vary with the program but generally Epidemiology requires biology and math; Health Education and Behavioral Sciences requires sociology, psychology, education, and anthropology; Health Services Administration requires business, and Environmental Health requires biology and chemistry. Biostatistics students would benefit from a POE in math. Strongly recommend an English course (most schools require 6 credits of English).
• Students will need to investigate specific schools for requirements no later than their sophomore year and enhance their preparation for their chosen area by selecting additional appropriate courses in consultation with their advisors.
• Admission at the best schools of public health is very competitive and students who have selected rigorous course work have a distinct advantage. Ex. For an emphasis in Epidemiology students should include all core courses in the Pre-Medical program, plus biochemistry, psychology, communications, upper level biology courses, and a year of calculus.
• Degrees offered in this field include the M.P.H. (Master of Public Health), Dr.P.H. (Doctor of Public Health), and M.S. and Ph.D. programs. The M.P.H. is often the terminal degree for the front-line public health worker. The Dr.P.H. prepares people who combine research skills with an understanding of political, medical, statistical, scientific, ethical and economic factors to address complex public health issues. The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are academic degrees for those interested mostly in research.
• Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, preferably Ms. Sarah Clarkson, and an advisor who can advise you best in the specialty you choose.
• This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE in consultation with your advisor.
• In addition to your course work it is strongly recommended that you gain experience in public health either during the school year or over the summer.
• Competitive Credentials - 3.2 GPA and GRE of 500 or better in each section.
• Be sure to apply to schools that are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (website below)

Helpful Websites

• Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health - http://www.aspph.org/
• American Public Health Association - http://www.apha.org/
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials - http://www.astho.org
• Council on Education for Public Health -http://ceph.org/
• Association of American Colleges and Universities - http://www.aacu.org/public_health/index.cfm

General Information

http://www.publichealthonline.org/

http://www.publichealthonline.org/degree-programs/masters/

http://www.publichealthonline.org/pre-professional-experience/

http://www.publichealthonline.org/job-resources/

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/home

http://www.mastersinpublichealth.net/

Suggested Core Progression for Pre-Public Health

Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken.

*Both semesters of the year that you plan to to take the exam.

If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology)

Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the spring of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology the fall of your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry.