Public Health (B.S.)

The Bachelors of Public Health program prepares graduates for a range of public health careers where you can enhance the well being of people and communities by managing programs, conducting research, providing outreach services and much more.

A public health internship is required where students are responsible for their own transportation costs associated with these activities.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at https://www.chhs.niu.edu/resources/student-learning-outcomes.shtml.

Guaranteed admissions into the NIU Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is available for NIU undergraduate majors in Public Health or those who have completed an NIU Public Health bachelor’s degree with the following requirements:

Minimum GPA of 3.0 in PHHE coursework
Completion of all NIU Graduate School application requirements (no GRE required)

Interested students should talk to a public health advisor as early as possible.

Major Requirements

Students will complete a core set of public health requirements inside the School and outside of the School in addition to their chosen area of study requirements.

Requirements in School (24-27)

PHHE 295 - Introduction to Public Health Credits: 3
PHHE 315 - Health Behavior and Promotion Credits: 3
PHHE 335 - Public Health Communication Credits: 3
PHHE 351 - Elements of Environmental Health Credits: 3
PHHE 445 - Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics Credits: 3
PHHE 461 - Public Health and the U.S. Health Care System Credits: 3
PHHE 465 - Public Health Planning and Evaluation Credits: 3
PHHE 489 - Internship in Public Health Credits: 1-6
Students must take 3-6 semester hours in this course.

Requirements outside School (17-21)

BIOS 103 - General Biology Credits: 3
OR BIOS 208 - Fundamentals of Cellular Biology Credits: 3
BIOS 109 - Human Biology Credits: 3
OR BIOS 357 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 5
BIOS 213 - Introductory Bacteriology Credits: 3
OR BIOS 313 - Microbiology Credits: 4
CHEM 110 - Chemistry Credits: 3
AND CHEM 111 - Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
OR CHEM 210 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
AND CHEM 212 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1
MATH 110 - College Algebra Credits: 3
OR MATH 104 - Supplemental Review for College Algebra Credits: 1
AND MATH 105 - College Algebra with Review Credits: 3
UHHS 487 - Professional Skills for Career Success in Health and Human Sciences Credits: 1

Select one of the following areas of study: (12)

Area 1: Health Administration (12)

The Health Administration area of study develops skills in management, planning, and assessment to prepare students for careers in healthcare settings, such as managed care, long-term care, hospitals, and public health agencies.

PHHE 433 - Principles of Long-Term Care Administration Credits: 3
PHHE 441 - Introduction to Health Care Administration Credits: 3
PHHE 453 - Financial Management of Health Care Organizations Credits: 3
PHHE 457 - Fundamentals of Healthcare Quality Management Credits: 3

Area 2: Health Promotion (12)

The Health Promotion area of study prepares students to become health educators in health care or social assistance settings to educate individuals and communities about behaviors that can prevent diseases, injuries, and other health issues.

PHHE 404 - Drugs in Society Credits: 3
PHHE 406 - Dimensions of Human Sexuality Credits: 3
PHHE 408 - Mental and Emotional Health Credits: 3
PHHE 410 - Coping with Death, Dying, and Loss Credits: 3

Area 3: Environment and Health (12)

The Environment and Health area of study prepares students to work in a variety of environmental settings that focus on eliminating health disparities of the public.

EAE 253 - Environment and Society Credits: 3
PHYS 150 - Physics Credits: 3
TECH 231 - Introduction to Workplace Health and Safety Credits: 3
TECH 245 - Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Production Credits: 3

Area 4. Foundations of Public health (12)

The Foundations of Public Health area of study offers students a comprehensive educational foundation while allowing them to explore diverse interests within the field of public health.

Any PHHE 300 level course or above, or coursework approved by advisor.