On the basis of this evolving understanding, we have designed this major to be built on a small core of key courses that provide those specific knowledge needs, combined with a minor in one of many existing areas in the college curriculum. The goal is for students to gain a coherent knowledge through the core, but in the choice of the minor they decide the specific focus of their approach to issues in community health, and thus hone applicable skills.

Experiential learning is also crucial in this field. Due to the fact that the students will have different minors (and therefore different focuses), we think it important to create an opportunity for each class to develop a group identity and working dynamic. Therefore, there are four opportunities for students to work in teams on community-based projects: The two-semester Research Design and Applied Statistics courses, the Senior Internship and the Senior Capstone Project. Through these course experiences the students accomplish a task as a team project, gaining experience in working as a group, and also building group identity in the major. Based on her specific focus/minor, each student develops her approach to the project, thus contributing a specific, yet integrated piece to the whole effort. In addition, each student’s senior capstone project may emerge from both her focusing area (her minor) and her previous semester internship choice.

We are preparing graduates who can present themselves to a prospective employer or graduate school with a transcript that indicates core knowledge, and a portfolio of several projects that shows strong evidence of an applicable skill set.

Public Health Core Functions: Foundational knowledge for all majors

Function and practice