Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Public Health (B.S.)


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The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

General Information

Practical field training is required as part of the public health curriculum and student teaching is a required part of the health education curriculum. Students are advised that they are responsible for their own transportation to and from the training facilities and all costs associated with these activities.

Major Requirements


The public health program prepares students for professional positions in general public health, health administration, environment and health, and health promotion. Depending on their particular interests, graduates will be involved in developing and communicating health information to the public, planning and managing health service programs and facilities, and investigating and evaluating specific environmental and community health problems. Degree completion in public health is available to practicing health care professionals. See below for details. Students aspiring to major in public health should contact a program adviser as early as possible, preferably during their freshman year, for an academic advising. Failure to do so could result in a delayed graduation.

Requirements outside School (20-23)


One of the following emphases: General Public Health, Health Administration, Environment and Health, or Health Promotion


Emphasis 1. General Public Health


The general public health emphasis allows students to complete a broad educational foundation in public health while choosing a minor outside the school, or qualifying for the public health degree completion program.

Requirements in School (9)


Requirements outside School (21-41)


One of the following (3)


One of the following (12-30)


A minor offered by the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, or a minor in biological sciences, chemistry, communication studies, communicative disorders, gerontology, environmental management systems, environmental studies, military science, nonprofit and NGO studies, Spanish, or psychology.

OR Qualified for the public health degree completion program.
 

Total Hours for Emphasis 1, General Public Health: 75-101


B.S. in Public Health Degree Completion Program


The B.S. in public health degree completion program in the general public health and health administration emphases are designed to award credit to practicing health care professionals for their recent education and previous learning experiences in the fields of dental hygiene, respiratory care, radiologic technology, long-term care administration, health information technology, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, speech-language pathology assistant, surgical technology, or other appropriate health care area. With the consent of the program adviser, up to 25 semester hours of credit in PHHE 481 may be applied to the area of study in applied professional health sciences. The credit will be held in “escrow” and will be posted to the student’s transcript upon the completion of all designated 400-level course work for the public health major, at which time the student will receive credit in PHHE 487, PHHE 489, variable credit in PHHE 481, as well as credit to be determined by the department based on professional course work of the student. Students in this program are exempt from the 30 semester hour university residence requirement. Students interested in the B.S. in public health degree completion program should contact a program adviser for a pre-admission interview and course counseling session.

Emphasis 2. Health Administration


The health administration emphasis teaches students administrative, supportive, planning, and assessment skills that prepares students for careers in managed-care settings; long-term care; hospitals; federal, state, and community health agencies, and other health-related organizations. With appropriate electives, students qualify to take the Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Examination. For details, contact the public health program office.

Requirements outside School (27-32)


Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Health Administration: 87-98


Recommendations to meet math requirements for emphasis 2


Emphasis 3. Environment and Health


The requirements in the school for the environment and health emphasis prepare students to work in a variety of environmental settings that focus on eliminating health disparities of the public.

Requirements in School (9-10)


Requirements outside School (28-31)


Two of the following (6)


One course in science approved by the public health adviser (3-4)


Total Hours for Emphasis 3, Environment and Health: 82-92


Recommendations to meet math requirements for emphasis 3


Emphasis 4. Health Promotion


The requirements for the health promotion emphasis prepare students to become health educators in health care or social assistance settings. They educate individuals and communities about behaviors that can prevent diseases, injuries, and other health issues. In addition, the health promotion emphasis prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist Exam (CHES) given by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

Requirements outside School (12)


Total Hours for Emphasis 4, Health Promotion: 75-81


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