Health Sciences, B.S. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Degree programs within the Department are some of the fastest-growing programs at Cal State East Bay. Students majoring in Public Health and Health Sciences are driven to improve the health of their communities and California. They are preparing for careers in fields such as nursing, law, policy, administration, community health, occupational safety, and more.
The Department’s programs focus on understanding human health from a population perspective with a strong emphasis on health equity, social justice, and the health effects of climate change. It asks students to think critically and to explore health from a variety of perspectives and to understand the role that culture has in constructing health.
The program also emphasizes problem-based learning which is core to its approach. The Department’s goal is to help students develop strong critical thinking skills, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills.
Another emphasis is placed on the environmental factors that impact human health. The effects of climate change have an immediate and long-term effect on human health and the communities of California. The Department focuses on helping students develop the skills to face some of these health challenges and to see them as an opportunity to design a sustainable future.
The general BS in Health Sciences is designed to be flexible for students who may wish to pursue a career in professional fields (such as medicine, law, nursing, physician assistant, or other allied health fields); who want to explore human health more generally; or who want to design a program of study with their advisor.
The program also offers a concentration in Health Policy. Health policy is also a rapidly expanding field because there is growing recognition that collaboration across sectors is needed to successfully address complex health issues. A health in all policies approach is now being used among many public and private entities working to improve health and reduce health inequities. The Health Policy concentration focuses on evidence-based solutions to problems related to public programs, policies, and procedures related to health.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Public Health or Health Sciences will be able to:
- Use knowledge and skills to provide effective, necessary, and appropriate health services and public health interventions in diverse and multicultural communities.
- Work effectively on a team in health and health care.
- Act ethically and responsibly.
- Use critical thinking, knowledge, and expertise to address complex challenges in health and health care.
- Apply population perspectives in the health professions
- Apply knowledge of the role of the environment and of climate change in human health in ways that improve population health and sustainability.
Program Roadmaps
These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
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4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps
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2-Year ADT Roadmaps
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Career Opportunities
Public health and healthcare are among the largest industries in the United States and employ millions of workers. The demand for skilled public health and healthcare professionals is high.
There are a number of career opportunities in the health field. There is a high demand for workers in clinical fields such as medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and others. In addition to clinical fields, there are opportunities in research, technology, administration, finance, pharmaceuticals, and environmental protection and sanitation. Public Health professionals also work in a variety of environments from private industry, federal, state, and local government, as well as non-profit institutions.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 76-79 units;
- General Education & Graduation Requirements consists of 57 units (up to 9 units may be double-counted - see your advisor to determine which, if any, GE/GR units can be double-counted for your program plan);
- Free Electives that remain = 0 units (actual # of free elective units may depend on GE units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
Health Sciences Major Requirements (76-79 units)
Note: All courses for degree credit with a HSC prefix must be completed with a C- or better.
Lower Division Core
The following lower-division interdisciplinary coursework for 25 units are required:
Upper Division Core
The following 18 units of Health Science coursework is required:
Concentrations
Students selecting to complete the Health Sciences, B.S. (non-concentration) must take an additional 30 units of electives. Students may also choose the Public Health or Health Policy concentrations and must complete 33 units of required courses and electives.
Health Policy Concentration
Public policy is increasingly central to society’s efforts to promote and protect human health, both at the individual level and at the population level. As the regulations, statutes, and court rulings that affect public health, the environment, and healthcare systems become more and more complex, the need for health policy professionals has never been higher.
The Concentration in Health Policy in the Bachelor of Science Degree Program is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in policy theory, policy development, the policymaking process, policy enforcement and policy evaluation. Students are trained in policy processes that occur at all jurisdictional levels, ranging from local communities, to the state, national, and international levels, and will become familiar with the range of stakeholders and institutions influencing health policy.
The program emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, graduates will be competent as professionals to recommend evidence-based solutions to problems related to public programs, policies and procedures related to health.
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