Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Using real-world cases, field work and practicum, students in Duquesne's public health program learn what it takes to improve health care globally.

Public Health Program Outcomes

  1. Students will understand and apply foundational public health principles and biological sciences to analyze health data using statistical methods.
  2. Students will employ critical thinking to solve population health challenges through evidence-based approaches and project implementation.
  3. Students will be able to communicate public health information effectively to diverse audiences using oral, written, and technological methods.
  4. Students will demonstrate ethical reasoning, integrity, and professionalism and understanding the regulatory aspects of public health practice.
  5. Students will exhibit cultural competence by engaging with diverse populations to address the social determinants of health and disparities with sensitivity and respect.

Public Health Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

120.5-122 Credits

Fall of 1st Year- 15 Credits
• Introduction to Life Processes/Lab (BIOL 101/L) 4/0 cr.
• Writing & Analysis (BRDG 101) 3 cr.
• Elements of Exercise Science, Information Literacy, & Scientific Terminology (HLTS 120) 2 cr.
• Core Science- Chemistry (CHEM 107) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Public Health (PBHL 201) 3 cr.

Spring of 1st Year- 15 Credits
• Writing & Literature (BRDG 102) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Ethical Reasoning (BRDG 105) 3 cr.
• Essential Questions (EQ XXX) 3 cr.
• Business Information Systems (ISYS 184) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) 3 cr.

Fall of 2nd Year- 16 Credits
• Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab (BIOL 207/208) 3/1 cr.
• Disparities in Health Care (HLTS 200) 3 cr.
• Exploring Intercultural Communication (COMM 114) 3 cr.
• THEO-coded course 3 cr.
• Health Care Ethics (HCE 255, PHIL 252, or THEO 253) 3 cr.

Spring of 2nd Year- 16 Credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab (BIOL 209/210) 3/1 cr.
• Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 201) 3 cr.
• International Public Health (PBHL 205) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Biostatistics (MATH 225) 3 cr.
• PHIL-coded course 3 cr.

Fall of 3rd Year- 15 Credits
• Introduction to Epidemiology (PBHL 301) 3 cr.
• Social and Behavioral Change in Community Health Education (PBHL 305) 3 cr.
• Healthcare Law & Policy (PBHL 310W) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Health Economics (PBHL 325) 3 cr.
• Biostatistics II (MATH 335) 3 cr.

Spring of 3rd Year- 15 Credits
• Clinical Processes (PBHL 311) 3 cr.
• Needs Assessment and Program Planning (PBHL 320) 3 cr.
• Research Methods in Public Health (PBHL 401) 3 cr.
• Health-related PSYC or SOC 3 cr.
• Open Elective  3 cr.

Fall of 4th Year- 13.5-15 Credits
• Public Health Fieldwork (PBHL 350) 1.5-3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.

Spring of 4th Year- 15 Credits
• Environmental Toxicology (PBHL 470) 3 cr.
• Health Promotion (PBHL 405) 3 cr.
• Public Health Capstone (PBHL 410W) 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health

129.5-131 Credits

Fall of 1st Year- 17 Credits
• Biology I: Cells, Genetics, Development/Lab (BIOL 111/L) 4/0 cr.
• Writing & Analysis (BRDG 101) 3 cr.
• Elements of Exercise Science, Information Literacy, & Scientific Terminology (HLTS 120) 2 cr.
• General Chemistry I/Lab/Recitation (CHEM 121/L/R) 4/1 cr.
• Introduction to Public Health (PBHL 201) 3 cr.

Spring of 1st Year- 18 Credits
• Biology II: Diversity, Ecology & Evol/Lab (BIO 112/L) 4/0 cr.
• Writing & Literature (BRDG 102) 3 cr.
• General Chemistry II/Lab/Recitation (CHEM 122/L/R) 4/1 cr.
• Essential Questions (EQ XXX) 3 cr.
• Business Information Systems (ISYS 184) 3 cr.

Fall of 2nd Year- 17 Credits
• Clinical Microbiology (BIOL 205/205L) 3/1 cr.
• Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab (BIOL 207/208) 3/1 cr.
• Introduction to Ethical Reasoning (BRDG 105) 3 cr.
• Exploring Intercultural Communication (COMM 114) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) 3 cr.

Spring of 2nd Year- 14 Credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab (BIOL 209/010) 3/1 cr.
• Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 201) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Biostatistics (MATH 225) 3 cr.
• International Public Health (PBHL 205) 3 cr.
• THEO-coded course 3 cr.

Fall of 3rd Year- 18 Credits
• Introduction to Epidemiology (PBHL 301) 3 cr.
• Social and Behavioral Change in Community Health Education (PBHL 305) 3 cr.
• Healthcare Law & Policy (PBHL 310W) 3 cr.
• Introduction to Health Economics (PBHL 325) 3 cr.
• Biostatistics II (MATH 335) 3 cr.
• PHIL-coded course 3 cr.

Spring of 3rd Year- 15 Credits
• Clinical Processes (PBHL 311) 3 cr.
• Research Methods in Public Health (PBHL 401) 3 cr.
• Needs Assessment and Program Planning (PBHL 320) 3 cr.
• Health Care Ethics (HCE 255, PHIL 252, or THEO 253) 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.

Fall of 4th Year- 13.5-15 Credits
• Public Health Fieldwork (PBHL 350) 1.5-3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Public Health Elective 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.

Spring of 4th Year- 15 Credits
• Health Promotion (PBHL 405) 3 cr.
• Public Health Capstone (PBHL 410W) 3 cr.
• Environmental Toxicology (PBHL 470) 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.
• Open Elective 3 cr.

Public Health Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Public Health

A student who has completed all requirements with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and successfully completed all internship requirements will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

A student who has completed all requirements with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and successfully completed all internship requirements will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health.