College of Arts and Sciences
Department Chair: TBA
Faculty
TBA
Mission
The Public Health program at Misericordia University provides students with the knowledge, research, and communication skills necessary to explore, understand, and improve public health and thereby promote the common good. Students are provided with a broad Public Health education rooted in science and the liberal arts. Students develop analytical and critical thinking skills and a strong understanding of the history and theory of Public Health and Public Health research. Students will be able to critically analyze and address a variety of public health issues and problems with an emphasis on the social determinants of health and the common good. Students will learn how to use these skills and this knowledge to pursue a career and serve the community.
Students in Public Health take courses across various disciplines in the natural and behavioral sciences and humanities to prepare them for an array of possible careers in this dynamic and growing field. Public Health graduates may also go on to graduate school to study Public Health, medicine, or other related fields.
Program Learning Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes
PLO 1: Exhibit a strong foundation in the history, philosophy, core values, key concepts, and foundational functions of public health, emphasizing their development and application in both U.S. and global contexts.. (UG # 6,8)
1a. Evaluate the effectiveness of historical public health initiatives and practices within the technological and philosophical contexts of their time
1b. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services
1c. Evaluate effective functions in public health services by utilizing critical thinking skills to evaluate a public health service
PLO 2: Determine appropriate public health processes and interventions needed to address health-related needs and concerns of specific populations (UG #4,6,8)
2a. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health
2b. Explain how epidemiology informs discussion of health issues
2c. Discuss the science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion and screening
2d. Design possible interventions to meet the challenges of global health issues
2e. Assess community health needs
PLO 3: Explain the influence of socio-economic, behavioral, biological, and environmental factors on human health, their role in health disparities, and how they can be addressed through health promotion and protection programs. (UG #3,4,6,7)
3a. Relate the basic biological principles related to human structure and function to human health and well-being
3b. Analyze the social, political, and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities
3c. Explain the four spheres of change brought about by globalization and how these have led to alterations in the prevalence, spread, geographical range, and control of disease
3d. Examine environmental factors affecting health and develop strategies for protection
3e. Evaluate how individuals and communities interact with the ecosystem to deal with environmental health concerns
3f. Draw conclusions about health issues by identifying and utilizing key sources of epidemiological data
3g. Design health education programs and workplace health and safety programs
PLO 4: Address real world public health questions by applying evidence-based strategies and ethically-sound approaches. (UG #4,6,8)
4a. Explore ethical questions related to modern science and the health professions
4b. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
4c. Analyze data on population size and other characteristics to better understand the factors that affect health and healthcare needs
PLO 5: Differentiate the basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions of health and how they influence the US health system and public health policy. (UG #3,4)
5a. Explain the global, political, and public health effects of important health policies
5b. Assess the global impact of US health policy on public health through real world
case studies
5c. Create data-driven narratives to inform the general public of public health policy reasonings
Required Courses:
Required courses in the Core Curriculum:
Major Courses:
Major Electives (select four classes from the following):
The minimum number of credits, including University Core Curriculum Requirements and Electives, required for graduation with the Public Health major is 120. In addition to the Core curriculum of 48-49 credits, students are required to complete 57 credits of required courses in the Sociology major (12 of which also meet core requirements) and 12 credits of electives in Sociology for a total of at least 69 credits in the major. Students will take an additional 36-37 credits of core curriculum requirements and 15 credits of free electives.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing in the Public Health program.
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