Public Health (BA)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Public Health to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Public Health (BA) majors from Advising:
- The BA in Public Health has a focus in social science, social justice, and advocacy. It's not appropriate for students wanting to become medical practitioners; those students should choose the BS in Public Health.
- This is one of the biggest majors in terms of total credits and academic requirements, so it is virtually impossible for Public Health students to double major.
- Unlike the BSPH, the BAPH offers the opportunity to build expertise through 5 optional concentrations: Gender, Sexuality & Health, Global Health, Health Equity & Social Justice, Policy & Advocacy, and Program Management. Core courses and minors may compliment these concentrations well.
- Don’t forget to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Public Health (BA) major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- HSM 110 (3 credits)
- ENVS 101 (3 credits)
- Choose one:
- PSYC 101 (3 credits)
- STAT 103 or PLSC 216 (3 credits)
- Students with credit for PSYC 101 may enroll in PSYC 304 instead.
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Two of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 6 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100C, UCLR 100E, or UCLR 100M
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Public Health (BA) major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- HSM 110 (3 credits)
- ENVS 101 (3 credits)
- Choose one:
- PSYC 101 (3 credits)
- STAT 103 or PLSC 216 (3 credits)
- Students with credit for PSYC 101 may enroll in PSYC 304 instead.
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits):
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Public Health to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.