Public Health Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
Public health is a multifaceted field for those interested in the health of communities and population groups, and the connections between daily activities and overall well-being. Students learn to investigate, analyze, and communicate multiple, complex influences on health outcomes, including environmental factors, economic and racial inequities, access to health services, and other societal determinants of human health. Graduates pursue careers in public and private sectors, locally and globally, to promote health, prevent disease, and solve pressing societal problems.
Students can tailor their electives by choosing one of the following tracks:
- Health Promotion and Health Behavior
- Health Systems and Policy
- Pre-Med/Pre-Clinical
- Public Health Science
For further information about undergraduate programs in public health, visit the website.
Our BS Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Major Code: 239
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Explain the foundational principles of public health, recognizing the dynamic nature of health determinants and the diverse contexts in which they operate.
- Differentiate the roles and interactions of local, state, and federal public health systems within the broader US public health framework, and the complexities of collaborative efforts to address pressing societal health issues.
- Apply standard public health methods and tactics to identify and respond to enduring and emerging population health concerns.
- Outline the fundamental roles of public health within organizational structures, funding mechanisms, workforce dynamics, and regulatory environments, fostering a comprehensive understanding of health promotion and disease prevention.
- Show the transformative power of public health data to identify health and disease patterns within diverse populations, inform proactive interventions, and shape policy development.
- Assess social and environmental determinants of health, understanding their multifaceted impacts on human health and well-being across varying contexts, locally and globally.
- Examine how cultural, social, and behavioral factors shape specific individual and community health outcomes.
- Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, through a variety of media and to diverse audiences; diverse audiences include non-academic, non-peer audiences, with attention to health literacy.
- Integrate basic concepts of human biology and life sciences with evolving strategies for health promotion and disease prevention across diverse life stages and contexts.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| H 100 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH | 4 |
| HHS 120 | +DISEASE DETECTIVES | 4 |
| or H 244 | +SCIENCE OF HUMAN & PLANETARY HEALTH | |
| H 119 | +UNPACKING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE U.S. | 3 |
| or H 256 | +SILENCE EQUALS DEATH: HIV STIGMA TO GLOBAL SOCIAL MOVEMENT | |
| H 210 | *INTRODUCTION TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM | 3 |
| H 220 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
| H 225 | +*SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | 4 |
| H 249 | +BRIDGING THE GAP: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & HEALTH LITERACY | 3 |
| H 250 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT 1 | 3 |
| or H 376 | EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION | |
| or HHS 420 | APPLICATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | |
| H 319 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH POLICY | 3 |
| H 320 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DISEASE | 3 |
| H 333 | *GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH | 3 |
| H 344 | +*FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| H 425 | FOUNDATIONS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 470 | +PUBLIC HEALTH EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE U.S. | 4 |
| H 476 | ^PLANNING AND EVALUATING PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS 1 | 3-4 |
| or H 434 | ^HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION | |
| or HHS 421 | ^REPORTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | |
| H 419 | +PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC HEALTH | 2 |
| H 439 | PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNSHIP | 12 |
| Focal Area Electives | ||
| Select 36-37 credits from the following (see Focal Areas for guidance): | 36-37 | |
| +UNPACKING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE U.S. (if not used above) | ||
| +SCIENCE OF HUMAN & PLANETARY HEALTH (if not used above) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT (if not used above) | ||
| +SILENCE EQUALS DEATH: HIV STIGMA TO GLOBAL SOCIAL MOVEMENT (if not used above) | ||
| ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE | ||
| *CLIMATE AND HEALTH | ||
| DRUGS, SOCIETY, AND BEHAVIOR | ||
| EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION (if not used above) | ||
| SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND LAWS | ||
| *GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | ||
| BE THE CHANGE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION | ||
| MENTAL HEALTH: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE | ||
| ECONOMIC ISSUES IN HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE | ||
| ^HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION (if not used above) | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | ||
| *OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH | ||
| PUBLIC HEALTH TOXICOLOGY | ||
| FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISMS | ||
| INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY | ||
| ^PLANNING AND EVALUATING PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS (if not used above) | ||
| REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY | ||
| HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY | ||
| +DISEASE DETECTIVES (if not used above) | ||
| APPLICATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA (if not used above) | ||
| ^REPORTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA (if not used above) | ||
| GLOBAL NUTRITION | ||
| HEALTHCARE INNOVATION | ||
| HEALTHCARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT | ||
| +*FOOD AND CULTURE | ||
| GENERAL HUMAN NUTRITION | ||
| NUTRITION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | ||
| COMMUNITY NUTRITION | ||
| Remaining Core Ed and Electives | 79-81 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
Students should check WIC prerequisites carefully to ensure they complete the required prerequisite for their preferred WIC course. Additional courses can count as Focal Area Electives
Focal Areas
Focal Areas are suggested course combinations directed at specific areas of interest and professional goals.
Health Promotion Health Behavior
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| Complete the following courses in the major: | ||
| Prerequisite to Recommended WIC | ||
| EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION | ||
| Recommended WIC | ||
| ^PLANNING AND EVALUATING PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS | ||
| Focal Area Core | ||
| H 364 | DRUGS, SOCIETY, AND BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| H 414 | BE THE CHANGE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION | 3 |
| H 421 | MENTAL HEALTH: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE | 3 |
| HHS 440 | GLOBAL NUTRITION | 3 |
| NUTR 216 | +*FOOD AND CULTURE | 3 |
| NUTR 225 | GENERAL HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 |
| NUTR 325 | NUTRITION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NUTR 423 | COMMUNITY NUTRITION | 4 |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
Health Systems and Policy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| Complete the following courses in the major: | ||
| Prerequisite to Recommended WIC | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | ||
| Recommended WIC | ||
| ^HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION | ||
| Focal Area Core | ||
| H 301 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE | 4 |
| H 332/GEOG 332 | *CLIMATE AND HEALTH | 3 |
| H 385 | SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND LAWS | 3 |
| H 432 | ECONOMIC ISSUES IN HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE | 3 |
| H 436 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| H 445 | *OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH | 3 |
| H 457 | FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS | 3 |
| H 458 | REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISMS | 3 |
| H 496 | HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| HHS 420 | APPLICATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | 3 |
| HHS 460 | HEALTHCARE INNOVATION | 4 |
| HHS 461 | HEALTHCARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT | 4 |
| NUTR 216 | +*FOOD AND CULTURE | 3 |
| NUTR 225 | GENERAL HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Public Health Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| Complete the following courses in the major: | ||
| Prerequisite to Recommended WIC | ||
| APPLICATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | ||
| Recommended WIC | ||
| ^REPORTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | ||
| Focal Area Core | ||
| H 332/GEOG 332 | *CLIMATE AND HEALTH | 3 |
| H 388 | *GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| H 414 | BE THE CHANGE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION | 3 |
| H 445 | *OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH | 3 |
| H 448 | PUBLIC HEALTH TOXICOLOGY | 3 |
| H 462 | INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 493 | REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 496 | HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| NUTR 216 | +*FOOD AND CULTURE | 3 |
| NUTR 225 | GENERAL HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 |
| NUTR 325 | NUTRITION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NUTR 423 | COMMUNITY NUTRITION | 4 |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Pre-Med/Pre-Clinical
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| Complete the following courses in the major: | ||
| Prerequisite to Recommended WIC | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | ||
or HHS 420 | APPLICATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | |
| Recommended WIC | ||
| ^HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION | ||
or HHS 421 | ^REPORTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA | |
| Focal Area Core | ||
| H 376 | EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION | 3 |
| H 421 | MENTAL HEALTH: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE | 3 |
| H 432 | ECONOMIC ISSUES IN HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE | 3 |
| H 436 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| H 448 | PUBLIC HEALTH TOXICOLOGY | 3 |
| H 458 | REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISMS | 3 |
| H 462 | INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 493 | REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 496 | HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| NUTR 216 | +*FOOD AND CULTURE | 3 |
| NUTR 225 | GENERAL HUMAN NUTRITION | 3 |
| NUTR 325 | NUTRITION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NUTR 423 | COMMUNITY NUTRITION | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Code: 239
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| H 100 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH | 4 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| H 119 or H 256 | +UNPACKING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE U.S. or +SILENCE EQUALS DEATH: HIV STIGMA TO GLOBAL SOCIAL MOVEMENT | 3 |
| H 210 | *INTRODUCTION TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM | 3 |
| H 225 | +*SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | 4 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HHS 120 or H 244 | +DISEASE DETECTIVES or +SCIENCE OF HUMAN & PLANETARY HEALTH | 4 |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| H 220 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
| H 249 | +BRIDGING THE GAP: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & HEALTH LITERACY | 3 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| H 319 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH POLICY | 3 |
| H 320 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DISEASE | 3 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| H 333 | *GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH | 3 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| H 344 | +*FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| H 425 | FOUNDATIONS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| H 419 | +PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC HEALTH | 2 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| H 476 | ^PLANNING AND EVALUATING PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS or ^REPORTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA or ^HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION | 4 |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| H 410 | INTERNSHIP | 6 |
| Focal Area Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| H 410 | INTERNSHIP | 6 |
| H 470 | +PUBLIC HEALTH EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE U.S. | 4 |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course