The public health major prepares students for graduate education in public health and the health professions, and for entry-level positions in a broad spectrum of private and public health organizations. Students receive a conceptual understanding of interrelated health, environmental, economic, educational, and social welfare issues. To pursue the major, students must apply to and be admitted to the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy (see guidelines under Admission). Completion of the public health major leads to a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. Students seeking the minor may declare it with their matriculating unit and are not required to apply for admission to the Bloustein School.
Prerequisites for the Major in Public Health (6-7 credits)
(Both are required to obtain admission status)
10:762:101 or 10:832:101 Introduction to Planning, Policy, and Health (3)
10:762:205 Basic Statistical Methods for Policy, Planning, and Health (4) or a 200-level or higher basic statistics course (3-4)
Major Requirements (48 credits)
Core Courses (36 credits)
01:119:115-116 General Biology (4,4)
01:160:161-162 General Chemistry (4,4) or
01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
10:762:395 Research Methods (4)***
10:832:232 Principles of Public Health (3)
10:832:335 Epidemiology (3)
10:832:499 Internship with Seminar (6)***
At least one of the following:
01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3) or
01:355:303 Writing for Business and the Professions (3) or
01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3) or
10:832:339 Public Health Literature (3) or
a preapproved professional writing course (3)
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Students must complete 12 credits of electives, of which 9 credits must be at the 300 level or higher. Students completing a minor or second major may count only one course from that minor or major as an elective for the public health major or minor.
Any 832 course counts as an elective as do the following preapproved courses:
01:014:347 Health Issues in the African-American Community (3)
01:070:307 Medical Anthropology (3)****
01:119:131 Microbiology for the Health Sciences (3)
01:119:150 Biology, Society, and Biomedical Issues (3)
01:119:152 Biomedical Issues of AIDS (3)
01:119:154 Genetics, Law, and Social Policy (3)
01:119:182 Human Sexuality (3)
01:190:101 Word Power (3)
01:190:102 Medical Terminology (1.5)
01:220:316 Health Economics (3)**** (credit not given for both this course and 10:832:332 (4))
01:377:304 Exercise and Aging (3)
01:730:105 or 106 Current Moral and Social Issues (3 or 4)
01:730:249 Bioethics (3)
01:830:331 Infant and Child Development (3)****
01:830:333 Adolescent Development (3)****
01:830:335 Adult Development and Aging (3)***
01:830:377 Health Psychology (3)***
01:920:210 Sociology of Medicine and Health Care (3)
01:920:303 Social Gerontology (3)***
01:920:307 Sociology of Mental Illness (3)***
10:762:233 The Urban World (3)
10:762:303 Poverty in Developing Nations (3)
10:762:304 Poverty in the United States (3)
10:762:324 Social Movements (3)
10:762:335 Gender, Family, and Public Policy (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:462 Human Rights and Health (3)
10:762:476 Immigration Policy (3)
10:762:483 Protecting Public Health and the Environment (3)
11:374:225 Environment, Health, and Society (3)
11:374:341 Social and Ecological Aspects of Health and Disease (3)
11:374:430 Topics in Health and Environment: Risk, Health, and Safety (3)
11:374:431 Topics: New and Reemerging Diseases (3)
11:375:301 The Environment and Health (3)
11:375:302 Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment (3)**
11:375:406 Public Health Practice and Administration (3)
11:375:421 Air Pollution (3)
11:375:435 Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health (3)
11:400:104 Food and Health (3)
11:709:226 Nutrition for the Developing Child (3)
11:709:255 Nutrition and Health (3)
Minor Requirements (24-26 credits)
10:832:101 Introduction to Planning, Policy, and Health (3)
a 200-level or higher basic statistics course (3-4)
a basic human biology course (3-4)
Five additional 832 courses of at least 3 credits each (15 credits) excluding 10:832:400, 490,491, and 499, which are restricted to majors only. All courses must be completed with grades of C or better.
Five-year B.A. or B.S./M.P.H.
Exceptional, well-prepared
students from any
Rutgers–New Brunswick matriculating unit who are interested in public
health
are encouraged to seek advising about graduate programs. Potential
candidates for the bachelor of arts/master of public health (B.A./M.P.H.) or bachelor of science/master of public health (B.S./M.P.H.) program must have at least three
semesters
left before graduation, hold a GPA of 3.2 or better, have completed
statistics
and at least two semesters of their science requirements with grades of B
or better,
and be referred by a faculty member. For more information about this course of study please contact Christina Miller or LaToya Fendrick at undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu.
Preparing for Careers in Public Health
Students seeking a career in health education should plan on taking a psychology or sociology minor and seek advising about becoming a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Students seeking a career in health administration should complete Calculus I, microeconomics, and health economics, and plan on graduate study.
Students seeking careers in health and safety, environmental and occupational health, or sanitary inspection should take 10:832:438 Environmental and Public Health Practice (6 credits, offered summer only) and seek advising about becoming a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS).
Students seeking a career in long-term care should plan to complete the Long-Term Care Administration Certificate (see below).
Certificate Programs
Long-Term Care Administration Certificate (24 credits)*****
The Long-Term Care Administration Certificate is offered for those in the public health major that are interested in gerontology, elder care, and health administration. The LTCA Certificate reduces the number of postgraduate hours required, and covers much of the material necessary for students to prepare for the state licensing examination. Students seeking the LTCA Certificate must apply to the public health major at the Bloustein School; once admitted to the major as a student in good standing, those interested in the LTCA Certificate program will work with an adviser to plan for completing both the public health major and the LTCA Certificate requirements simultaneously. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.
Core Required Courses (21 credits)
10:832:333 Financial Aspects of Public Health (3)
10:832:334 Principles of Health Administration (3)
10:832:341 Public Health and Aging (3)
10:832:356 Public Health Law and Ethics (3)
10:832:495 Special Topics in Public Health (3)
10:832:499 Internship with Seminar (LTCA placement only) (6)
Elective Courses (3 credits)
01:920:303 Social Gerontology (3)
01:377:304 Exercise and Aging (3)
10:762:340 Aging and Public Policy (3)
10:832:332 Public Health Economics (3)
11:709:255 Nutrition and Health (3)
Independent study for elective credits may be applied if the student contracts with a faculty member knowledgeable about aging or administration or both.
Public Health Administration Certificate (27 credits)
The Public Health Administration (PHA) Certificate is offered by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy for those in the public health major. The certificate provides core skills important for employment in public health and health care administration, and covers much of the material necessary for students to prepare for graduate school in health administration. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.
Core courses (21 credits)
10:832:332 Public Health Economics (3) or 01:220:316 Health Economics (3)
10:832:333 Financial Aspects of Public Health (3)
10:832:334 Principles of Health Administration (3)
10:832:356 Public Health Law and Ethics (3)
10:832:360 Principles of Public Management (3)
10:832:499 Internship in Public Health (PHA placement only) (6)
Elective courses (6 credits)
10:762:361 Managing People and Organizations (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:832:342 Long-Term Care Management (3)
10:832:362 Nonprofit Management (3)
Independent study for elective credits may be applied if the student contracts with a faculty member knowledgeable about aging and/or administration.
Public Health Preparedness Certificate (15 credits)
The Public Health Preparedness Certificate is issued jointly by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and the School of Public Health.
It is available to students in any major and is issued only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.
Core Courses (12 credits)
10:832:232 Principles of Public Health (3)
10:832:335 Epidemiology (3)
10:832:401 Public Health Preparedness I (3)
10:832:402 Public Health Preparedness II^ (3)
Elective courses (3 credits)
10:832:403 Public Health Risk Communications (3) or
10:832:437 Issues in Environmental and Occupational Health (3) or
10:832:483 Protecting Public Health and the Environment (3)
^A basic biology course is strongly recommended for this course.
Public Health Education Certificate (15 credits)
The Public Health Education Certificate is offered in conjunction with Rutgers University Health Services-Health Outreach, Promotion, and Education.
It helps students prepare for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The certificate is available to students in any major and is issued only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.
Core Courses (12 credits)
10:832:242 Principles of Health and Wellness (3) or
10:832:241 Principles of Health Education (3)
10:832:345 Health Program Development (3)
10:832:346 Health Program Evaluation (3)
10:832:352 Community Health Promotion (3)
Elective Courses (3 credits)
10:832:252 cross-listed with 01:377:252 Health and Social Justice
10:832:301 Sexual Health Advocacy Training (3) or
10:832:350 Drugs, Culture, and Society (3) or
10:832:351 Addictions Policy (3) or
11:374:225 Environment, Health, and Society (3) or
11:374:436 Topics in Health and Environment: Health Literacy: Empowerment for Better Health (3)
Addictions Prevention Certificate (15-18 credits)
The Addictions Prevention certificate covers the theory and practice behind substance abuse prevention strategies, programs, and policies. It prepares students to take the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Prevention Specialist examination, opening the doors to a career in substance abuse prevention, working in schools, public health agencies, community-based organizations, and government. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.
Courses (15-18 credits)
10:832:350 Drugs, Culture, and Society (3)
10:832:351 Addictions Policy (3) ^
10:832:352 Community Health Promotion (3)
10:832:353 The Science of Prevention ^ (3)
10:832:499* Internship with Seminar (832 majors only)^^ (6) or
10:762:400* Internship with Seminar (762 majors only)^^ (3,6) or
10:762:295* Internship in Public Service (all other majors)^^ (3)
^Course has prerequisite of 10:832:350.
*Course offered every semester. Requires at least 9 credits toward the certificate, including 10:832:350, and 100 credits toward graduation to register.
^^Approved drug and alcohol prevention placement only.
Bloustein Research Fellows (Honors Program)
The Bloustein Research Fellows Program offers an opportunity for a select group of students to align with the applied research done by the faculty, centers, and institutes at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Students may explore applications of planning and public policy related to community development; energy, health, or transportation policy; urban planning; or workforce development. Students may apply for the Research Fellows Program if they have completed the prerequisite courses for a Bloustein School major and hold at least a 3.4 cumulative grade-point average. For
information about this course of study please contact Christina Miller
or LaToya Fendrick, undergraduate program coordinators, at undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu.
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
