Program Information

Public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals”. 

Public Health is a broad field that attracts students with a range of interests and talents. Students earning an undergraduate degree in public health will learn to assess and improve population health at many levels using evidence-based strategies. The skills and knowledge gained through the study of public health are applicable to all clinical health professions, and are also important for careers that relate to health indirectly or on a broader scale. 

Students with undergraduate training in Public Health are qualified for entry-level positions in organizations including nonprofits, government, consulting, and advocacy organizations, and often pursue graduate education in public health or go on to clinical or other graduate programs. Graduates of public health programs become researchers, clinicians, policy makers or lawmakers, community planners or organizers, infectious disease specialists, educators, administrators, or can apply their training in any number of other fields.

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Public Health

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change

Contact Information

For more information about this major, contact Dr. Sofija Zagarins, Assistant Professor of Public Health, at (413) 748-3482 or at szagarins@springfield.edu, or contact the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Curricular Requirements

I. Core Curriculum (40 credits)

This Core Curriculum is faithful to the Springfield College mission and further strengthens the Humanics philosophy of educating students in spirit, mind, and body. It is a cornerstone of a Springfield College education. Regardless of one’s major, it provides a strong, developmental, and holistic foundation for leaders in service to humanity. Upon completion, all graduates will be prepared to learn, lead, and serve in diverse, multicultural, and global contexts as well as in any career path they may choose. They will have the knowledge, habits of the mind, skills, and abilities to face unexpected situations and challenges, the values and attitudes for self-motivation and a vision of service that stems from hope, optimism and making a difference, as well as the self-determination to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

View the Core Curriculum Requirements (40 credits)  section for a complete list of the domains and courses therein.

I. Program Requirements (30 Credits)

• HLTH 343 - Community Health Practices Credits: 3
• HLTH 425 - Human Disease and Health Promotion Credits: 3
• HLTH 487 - Fieldwork in Health Promotion Credits: 6-12

• or

• HSCI 384 - Practicum in Health Science Credits: 3
• HSCI 225 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
• HSCI 240 - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 3
• HSCI 320 - Health Assessment Credits: 3
• HSCI 482 - Senior Capstone in Health Science Credits: 3

• or

• HSCI 494 - Research Seminar in Health Science Credits: 3
• PUBH 130 - Introduction to Public Health Credits: 3
• PUBH 410 - Health and Health Care Disparities Credits: 3
• PUBH 460 - Health Law Credits: 3

II. Public Health Selectives (6 Credits)

• PUBH 470 - Global Health Credits: 3
• PUBH 475 - Maternal and Child Health Credits: 3

III. Quantitative Reasoning Selectives (6 Credits)

Select 2 of the following:

• CISC 115 - Microcomputer Applications Credits: 3

• and

• MATH 115 - College Algebra Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 125 - Precalculus Mathematics Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 131 - Introduction to Calculus with Applications Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 140 - Calculus I Credits: 3

IV. Natural Science Selectives (6-8 Credits)

Students complete two of the following courses, as well as the associated labs (6-8 credits):

• BIOL 101 - Basic Concepts of Modern Biology Credits: 3
• BIOL 102 - Basic Concepts Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 121 - Bioscience I Credits: 3
• BIOL 122 - Bioscience II Credits: 3
• BIOL 123 - Bioscience I Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 124 - Bioscience II Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 130 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Credits: 3
• BIOL 131 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Credits: 3
• BIOL 132 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Lab Credits: 1
• BIOL 133 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Lab Credits: 1
• BIOL 260 - General Ecology Credits: 3
• BIOL 261 - General Ecology Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 101 - Chemistry Survey Credits: 3
• CHEM 102 - Chemistry Survey Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
• CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
• CHEM 123 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 124 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
• ENVS 120 - Foundations of Sustainability Credits: 3
• ENVS 215 - Environmental Geology Credits: 3
• ENVS 216 - Environmental Geology Laboratory Credits: 1
• PHYS 205 - Physics for Movement Science Credits: 3
• PHYS 207 - Physics for Movement Science Laboratory Credits: 1
• PHYS 210 - General Physics I Credits: 4
• PHYS 211 - General Physics II Credits: 4

V. Social & Behavioral Science Selectives (6 Credits)

Students complete two of the following courses (6 credits):

• PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3
• PSYC 209 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
• PSYC 320 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
• RHDS 230 - Psychology of Disability and Illness Credits: 3
• SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
• SOCI 210 - Social Problems Credits: 3
• SOCI 240 - Global Social Issues Credits: 3
• SOCI 310 - Environment and Society Credits: 3
• SOCI 330 - Sociology of Health and Health Care Credits: 3
• SOCI 410 - Poverty and Wealth: Class in Society Credits: 3

VI. Recommended Minor

Students may choose to complete one of the following minors, which represent concentration areas in the field of Public Health: 
  - Community Nutrition Minor  
  - Environmental Studies Minor  
  - Health Care Management Minor  
  - Health Promotion Minor  
  - Social Justice Minor