Program Description
The public health profession focuses on preventing disease, addressing inequities and developing policies and programs that help communities achieve optimal health and well-being. Our program aims to educate and empower the emerging generation of public health leaders. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health prepares students for graduate work or careers in the field and exposes them to evidence-based research and practice experiences. Students can choose between the Population Health Specialization or the Pre-Nursing Specialization.
Likely Career Paths
Public Health work for community, county, state or federal government, health care administration, health education, policy work for non-profit organizations.
For students completing the Pre-Nursing specialization, careers in Nursing.
Key Considerations
- Cost: University-wide costs (cwu.edu/financial-aid/cost-attendance).
- Location: Ellensburg, Online (Population Health Specialization Only)
- Primary contact: Patrick Coffey | Academic Advisor for Health Sciences| Patrick.Coffey@cwu.edu | www.cwu.edu/health-science/bachelor-science-public-health
- Program Director: Dr. Melody Madlem | Melody.Madlem@cwu.edu | www.cwu.edu/health-science/bachelor-science-public-health
Course Planning
| CWU Course # | CWU Course Name | Transfer Course # |
|---|---|---|
| *MATH 211 | Statistical Concepts and Methods | MATH& 146 |
| **HED 101 | Essentials for Health Living | Course numbers vary, see TES |
| **NUTR 101 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | NUTR& 101 |
| ***PSY 101 | General Psychology | PSYC& 100 |
| ***PSY 314 | Human Development and the Learner | PSYC& 200 |
| ***CHEM 111 + CHEM 111 Lab | Introduction to Chemistry & Introductory Chemistry Laboratory | CHEM& 121 or TES |
| ***CHEM 112 & CHEM 112 Lab | Introduction to Organic Chemistry & Introduction to Organic Chemistry Laboratory | CHEM& 122 or CHEM& 131 or TES |
| ***CHEM 113 & CHEM 113 Lab | Introduction to Biochemistry & Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory | CHEM& 123 or TES |
| ***BIOL 182 Biology II | Majors Cell/Molecular Biology | BIOL& 222 or TES |
| ***BIOL 322 | Introductory Microbiology | BIOL& 260 |
| ***BIOL 355 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | BIOL& 241 |
| ***BIOL 356 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | BIOL& 242 |
*MATH& 146 will transfer in as Math 211, PH major will substitute in place of statistics major requirement.
**Population Health Specialization ONLY
***Pre-Nursing Specialization ONLY
- BIOL 182, PH major will substitute in place of BIOL 220 major requirement.
- PSY 314, PH major will substitute in place of PSY 313 major requirement.
- Pre-nursing students will need to complete a biochemistry course at CWU or elsewhere.
The Transfer Equivalency Site (TES) provides CWU equivalencies for courses at other colleges and universities.
Advising Notes
Any DTA works well, but for Pre-Nursing Students, Nursing DTAs are best.
Any Washington state DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement) degree will satisfy all general education requirements.
The Public Health major requires grades of C or better in all major-level coursework.
Nursing schools can be competitive so grades higher than C will likely be required.
Major requirements may change over time; students will be expected to meet the catalog requirements in place at the time they are admitted to the major. Current catalog: https://catalog.acalog.cwu.edu/
Other Resources
Admissions: 509-963-1211 | admissions@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/admissions
Financial Aid: 509-963-1611 | FinancialAid@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/financial-aid
Scholarship Information: 509-963-1611 | Scholarships@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/scholarships/
Transfer Center: 509-963-1390 | transfer@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/transfer
Veterans: 509-963-3028 | VA@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/veterans
International: +1-509-963-3612 | intladm@cwu.edu | cwu.edu/programs/international-student-admissions