Student Learning Outcomes
Students in the public health program at Coastal Carolina University will acquire professional development skills and apply public health theory and concepts to public health practice. Student learning outcomes for the major include, but are not limited to the following:
- Students will demonstrate broad knowledge of health education/public health content and application of public health and health education concepts.
- Students will be able to identify health needs and concerns of a community by developing a literature review.
- Students will be able to develop strategies to improve community health.
- Students will demonstrate program-planning skills.
- Students will develop skills needed to apply theory to public health practice.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism through practical experiences in a setting related to Public Health based on site supervisor student evaluations.
Admission to Degree Candidacy
Students can declare Public Health at any time in their academic career, although they will not be administratively admitted, until they fulfill the admissions criteria.
Prior to being admitted, a student must:
Curriculum
The curriculum incorporates the public health domains and provides training in the seven competency areas of health promotion and health education. This framework enhances students’ professional preparation, credentialing, and professional development in the health education and health promotion work setting. Completion of the program qualifies students to apply for certification through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Students complete the generalist public health program with a cognate option (general cognate or honors cognate) for a complementary area of study and/or to complete prerequisites for graduate studies. However, instead of completing the general cognate option, students have the flexibility to choose from one the five concentrations offered (community health, health administration, health literacy, pre-health professions, or dietetics) or choose to do a minor or certificate program from another discipline. Completing either a cognates (18 credits), concentration (18-19 credits), minor program (18 – 22 credits), or certificate programs (15-18) fits well within the 120 credit hours required to graduate from the public health program.
Public Health (General Cognate Option)
This selection provides students flexibility in planning a general cognate. Students may take 100-200 level basic math or science courses, select study abroad courses, select 200 level business courses, language courses above 120, NUR 201 , PUBH 222 , or take 300-400 level coursework not in the public health foundation and outside of the major (unless pre-approved) to complement specific career interests or as prerequisites for graduate studies.
Public Health (Honors Cognate Option)
This selection provides support to students who are in the Honors Program. Students take a set of courses that provide a challenging experience beyond honors seats. Students will have the opportunity to participate in independent study, take special topics courses and complete an honors thesis. As with the general cognate, students may take 100-200 level basic science courses or take 300-400 level coursework outside of the major or approved courses in the major to complement their specific career interests or as prerequisites for graduate studies.
Policies and Requirements
A cognate or concentration is not necessary if you have a minor. Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course used to satisfy major requirements and cognate/concentration options. A grade of ‘C’ or better is also required in ENGL 101 , PUBH 121 , PUBH 201 and PUBH 350 . Students who intend to earn a degree in public health must be accepted as degree candidates pursuing a major course of study in public health.
All public health students are required to complete 280 internship hours at approved public health and education sites. A 30-hour mini-internship (public health field experience) is completed as a portion of the course requirements for PUBH 284 Q . The PUBH 485 Q course requires the successful completion of a professional portfolio and a 250-hour, senior-level internship. Students can participate in an internship with a local, national or international health-related agency.
An end-of-program exam is administered as part of PUBH 495 . In order to evaluate student learning outcomes for the public health degree program, the following methods will be used: mastery of skills-based assignments in required public health classes, successful completion of the 280-hour internships, evidence of mastery of the public health and education competencies in the professional portfolio, and a grade of ‘C’ or better on the end-of-program exam.
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