Department of Public Health

Academic Complex
Phone: (270)745-4797, Fax: (270)745-4437
Website: http://www.wku.edu/chhs/publichealth
e-mail: public.health@wku.edu

Dr. Gary English, Head

Professors: J. Bonaguro, D. George, T. Nicholson
Associate Professors: D. Bradley, G. English, M. Gardner, E. Iyiegbuniwe, C. Nagy, S. Nagy, R. Taylor, C. Watkins, J. White
Assistant Professors: V. Golla, , G. Lartey, W. Mkanta, D. Shearer, F. Wensheng
Instructor: J. Kim
Professor Emeritus:  D. Dunn
Optional Retiree: W. Higgins

Program Accreditation: Society for Public Health Education, American  Association for Health Education, and Association of University Programs in Health Administration

The Department of Public Health offers academic programs which prepare students for a wide variety of health careers. In addition, the department provides a service to the University’s general education program through instruction to improve the health knowledge, attitudes and behavior of students. An equally important responsibility is to carry out research and other scholarly activities which provide opportunities for student engagement, maintain the academic strength of the faculty, and expand knowledge in various fields. The department also provides service to multiple agencies, institutions, and organizations in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and across the nation.

Students may pursue one of several major or minor programs. Specialized programs prepare individuals for careers in public health, health care administration, environmental health science and related areas.

All majors and minors are expected to work closely with their academic advisors in planning their courses of study. Special interests and abilities will be considered in planning the individual course of study.  More information about the department is available at:  www.wku.edu/publichealth.

Departmental Academic Regulations
Students who have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours, including the courses required for seeking admission status, with an overall GPA of 2.3, qualify for admission into a program in the Department of Public Health.

Students whose grade point average falls below 2.3 for two successive semesters will be dropped from the program. Students who receive a grade below a “C” in two or more courses required in a major or minor will be dropped from the program. A student may be reinstated in the program when the overall grade point average is elevated to at least 2.3 and all courses in which a grade of less than “C” has been earned have been repeated and a grade of “C” or better was earned. Students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 before enrolling in the internship. Grades below “C” in major or minor courses will not be counted toward meeting graduation requirements.

Internships/Off-Campus Experiences
Students may be required to undergo criminal background checks and drug testing, and to provide proof of health insurance, liability insurance, and/or immunization records prior to participating in any required experiences at selected off-campus facilities/agencies. Additionally, there may be certifications, training seminars, or other requirements specified by the facility/agency that a student must meet in order to be eligible for field or practical experiences at the facility. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in the off-campus experiences; students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.

Major in Environmental Health Science
The major in environmental health science (reference number 548) requires a minimum of 79 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor or second major is required. A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.

The undergraduate degree program in environmental health science prepares the graduating student for careers as an environmental health scientist with government agencies, environmental consulting firms, industries, local governments, and non-profit organizations. By focusing on the application of basic scientific principles to the solution of environmental health science and protection challenges, students are prepared for diverse career opportunities. Required coursed in the major are ENV 120, 280, 321, 323, 360, 365, 375, 380, 410, 411, 460, 474, 480, 486,490, 491; PH 383, 384, 385 and twelve hours of electives.

In addition to meeting the general education requirements of the university, students pursuing the Environmental Health Science curriculum must take the following: COMM 145; ECON 202, PSY 100, BIOL 131, 207, 208; MATH 118; CHEM 105, 106, 107, 108; PHYS 231, 232; ENG 307; PH 100 AND CHHS 175. Some of these required courses fulfill general education subject area requirements.

All courses listed above require a minimum grade of “C.”

Suggested Program of Study

Major in Health Care Administration
(no minor or second major required)
The major in health care administration (reference number 559) requires a minimum of 73 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor or second major is required. This program has full membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

The undergraduate degree program in health care administration prepares the student for administrative positions in various types of health care facilities and agencies, such as acute care, long term care, group medical practices, managed care organizations, health insurance agencies, public health agencies, clinics, and health related organizations such as manufacturing, marketing and consulting.

The required courses in the major are ACCT 200 and ACCT 201; MGT 210; FIN 330; AH 290; PH 383, 384, and 447; HCA 340, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 383, 440, 441, 442, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449 and two 3-hour HCA elective selected with permission of advisor. Additionally, ENG 306 is required prior to obtaining the healthcare administration degree.

In addition to meeting the general education requirements of the university, students pursuing the health care administration curriculum must take the following: ECON 202; BIOL 131; MATH 116 and COMM 145 or 161. The required courses must be completed prior to completing 15 hours of health courses.

Requirements for seeking admission (reference number 559P): 24 hours including MATH 116 (or higher); PH 100 with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.

Requirements for admission (reference number 559): 30 hours including above courses plus BIOL 131 and ECON 202 with overall GPA of 2.5 or better.

All courses listed above require a minimum grade of “C” (both prerequisites and core courses).

Students will not be allowed to enroll in 400-level HCA classes until they are fully admitted into the HCA program.

Requirements for degree completion: 73 hours of program courses with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.

Suggested Program of Study

Major in Public Health
(no minor or second major required)
The program in public health (reference number 521) leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. The curriculum consists of a core of 40-44 credit hours of course work and either one of two concentrations consisting of 25 to 30 credit hours of course work. Students pursuing this major are required to select one of the following concentrations: environmental health, or public health education.

Core Requirements (40-44 hours)
Required courses in the core are: BIOL 131, 207, & 208; CHEM 109; MATH 116 or higher; PH 100, SFTY 171, PH 381, 383, 384, 490 or ENV 367; PSY 100; and COMM 145.

Requirements for Seeking Admission (reference number 521P): 24 hours including COMM 145, PH 100 and PSY 100 with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.

Requirements for Admission (reference number 521): 30 hours including the above courses plus BIOL 131 and CHEM 109 with an overall GPA of 2.3 or better.

Environmental Health Concentration (25 hours)
Required courses for the environmental health concentration are: BIOL 472; ENV 460, 486 & 495; and PH 280 & 385. In addition, nine hours must be chosen with approval of the academic advisor from the following: BIOL 315; CHEM 314, 330, & 432; ENV 321, 360, 410, 415, 430, 440, & 480; GEOG 474 & 487; GEOL 310, 375 & 487. Students completing this option are prepared for careers as environmental specialists in public health departments; other local, state and national governmental regulatory agencies; and non-governmental agencies.

Public Health Education Concentration (30 hours)
Required courses for the public health education concentration are: PH 261, 385, 461, 483, 484 & 485. In addition, 12 hours must be chosen with approval of the academic advisor from the following: HCIS 290; CFS 111; HCA 340; SFTY 270, PH 365, 382, 390, 402,443, 444, 447, 460, 464, 467 & 468. Students completing this option are prepared for careers as public health educators, health promotion specialists and wellness program directors in public health departments; voluntary and private health agencies; industry; health care facilities; professional health associations; and consulting firms. This program is approved by the Society for Public Health Education and the American Association for Health Education (SOPHE/AAHE). All courses listed above require a minimum grade of “C.”

Suggested Program of Study

(A-F) denotes General Education Category

(A-F) denotes General Education Category

Minor in Health Education
The minor in health education (reference number 389) requires a minimum of 23 semester hours. This minor provides a basic foundation for students desiring preparation in health promotion and disease prevention. The minor in health education may be used in combination with many majors to enhance student’s career opportunities and as preparation for graduate study in a variety of health disciplines. Completion of the minor along with a teaching certifiable major leads to certification in health education. Required courses are BIOL 131; SFTY 171; PH 261, 365, 381, 461, and 467. Three credit hours of electives must be selected from the following courses with approval of the academic advisor: PH 385, 456, 463, 465, 385: or CFS 111.

Students utilizing the minor in health education for teacher certification must complete SEC 483, Teaching Health, as a required support course. All courses in the minor must be completed with a minimum grade of “C."

Minor in Health Care Administration
The minor in health care administration (reference number 386) requires a minimum of 23 semester hours. This minor is compatible with various majors such as business, social and behavioral sciences, allied health, nursing, communication, journalism, public health, and etc.

Requirements are HCA 340, 344, 440, 441, and 442; AH 290; and HCA 345 or 346; and PH 447. In addition, students must complete MGT 210 and ECON 202, as prerequisites to the above required courses. All courses in the minor (including MGT 210 and ECON 202) must be completed with a minimum grade of “C." Students pursuing this minor must have approval from a health care administration advisor.

Minor in Occupational Safety and Health
The minor in occupational safety and health (reference number 427) requires a minimum of 24 semester hours. Requirements are ENV 120, 221, 321, 322, 327, 331, 367, and 423. In addition, the student must complete supporting courses as follows: SFTY 171; CHEM 109; and ENG 307.

Minor in Environmental Studies
(See Environmental Studies under Pre-professional and Interdisciplinary Programs in Ogden College of Science and Engineering.)

Minor in Worksite Health Promotion
The minor in Worksite Health Promotion (reference number 495) requires a minimum of 18 semester hours.  The minor will enable students to merge worksite health promotion with physical education, nutrition, health education or business management courses in their professional preparation. Required courses are:  ENV 120; PH 261, 381, 390, 402; PE 100.  All courses in the minor must be completed with a minimum grade of a “C.”

Graduate Degree Programs
Graduate study in the health discipline is available in three degree plans: (1) the Master of Arts in Education (M.A. Ed.), with minor in health education, (2) the Master of Public Health (MPH) with concentrations in health education and environmental health, and (3) Master of Health Administration (MHA). For more detailed information, consult the Graduate Studies Catalog.