Public Health Major, B.S. (Community Health Concentration)

Department Information

Department of Community and Behavioral Health
PO Box 70674
Phone: (423) 439-4332
Fax: (423) 439-6570
Website: www.etsu.edu/cph/ch/default.php

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in public health with a concentration in community health. The degree prepares students to become effective health educators and community health specialists capable of developing and implementing health programs in a variety of community-based settings. Students completing the degree are eligible to sit for the national credential exam - Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Transfer and Residency Policy

Transfer students who major or minor in public health shall earn a minimum of 18 credits (12 credits must include either field experience or student teaching) with an average grade of C or above in this department. (See section of catalog on transfer students for other requirements.)

Graduate Study

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health offers the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree in community health. The department also offers a graduate certificate in rural health and an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in gerontology in conjunction with the colleges of Nursing, Business and Technology, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Education.

Advising

Public Health Admission Policy

Eligibility for Admission Consideration:

Admission to the B.S. in Public Health program of study is a competitive process and separate from the student’s admission to ETSU. A limited number of students are admitted annually. Each applicant is evaluated on the basis of academic record and written personal statement.

Candidate Admission Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for consideration for admission:

1. Submission of application by admission. Application form can be found at: https://www.etsu.edu/cph/academics/undergraduate.php
2. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s last 30 credits of college-level coursework.
3. Be within 8 credits of completion of general education core curriculum.

Admission to the Public Health Program of Study:

Admission to the Public Health program of study is a competitive process and based on the following criteria:

1. 40 points: The higher of the applicant’s overall GPA or GPA in the last 30 credits of completed college-level coursework, calculated at the end of the fall semester in which the applicant has applied to the program. Example of grade point average conversion: 3.2 grade point average = 32 points.
2. 20 points: Application as evaluated by admissions committee.

Composite scores for students on this 60 point scale will be the criteria for admission based on available space.

For additional information please email Taylor Dula, Public Health Advisor at mckeehan@etsu.edu.

Retention/Progression Policy:

Public Health students will be allowed to progress in the Public Health major as long as all Public Health core and concentration courses are completed with a grade of C or better. Progression status will be evaluated at the close of each semester. Students receiving a grade below a C in any core or concentration course will be placed on probationary status in the College of Public Health. If those students wish to repeat the course and progress in the program, they must file an appeal with the Public Health Undergraduate Coordinator. A student with probationary status who receives a second grade below a C in any core or concentration course will not be permitted to progress in the Public Health major. For additional information, contact the program’s undergraduate academic advisor.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: PHEA-BS (COMM)  

Grade Requirement: Must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in all courses included in the major.

General Education Requirements  

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Major Specific courses listed in General Education Requirements:

• Choose 8 credits from the following: HSCI 2010 /HSCI 2011 , HSCI 2020 /HSCI 2021 , BIOL 1110 /BIOL 1111 , BIOL 1120 /BIOL 1121   

Total Requirements for Public Health Major: 61 credits

Public Health Major Core Requirements: 30 credits

• COBH 2000 - ESSENTIALS (3 credits)
• COBH 2030 - First Aid and Emergency Care (3 credits)
• EPID 3040 - Evidence-Based Analytics in Public Health (3 credits)
• COBH 3120 - Principles and Practices of Public Health Education I (3 credits)
• COBH 3330 - Cultural Competence and Spirituality in Health Care (3 credits)
• COBH 3690 - Behavior Change Theory for Public Health (3 credits)
• COBH 4019 - Service Grant Writing (3 credits)
• COBH 4030 - Community Health (3 credits)
• COBH 4120 - Lifespan Health Promotion (3 credits)
• COBH 4457 - Emerging Technologies for the Health Professions (3 credits)

Community Health Concentration: 19 credits

Culminating Experience: 12 credits

• COBH 4850 - Field Experience - Community and Behavioral Health (12 credits)

Minor: 18-24 credits

Additional Information

Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. 

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.