Aug 13, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Public Health, BS

Degree Map

Public Health BS Degree Map

The Bachelor of Science in public health is a dynamic major that prepares students for various careers in community/public health settings, such as hospitals, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and worksite health promotion programs. This degree exposes students to a wide range of public health careers while providing the foundational courses required for professional post-graduate work. The mission of the public health program is to provide quality academic education and structured professional experiences designed to prepare students to plan, implement and evaluate health programs and to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their communities.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

Communication - 010

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3

Mathematics - 020

Three hours from:

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3

Life and Physical Sciences - 030

Six hours from:

BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3

Language, Philosophy and Culture - 040

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

Creative Arts - 050

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

American History - 060

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

Government/Political Science - 070

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 080

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Component Area Option - 090

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BUSI 2304 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1302 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

Core Science Labs

Two hours from:

BIOL 1108 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 2101 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab Credit(s): 1

Kinesiology Activity

Complete three hours of KINE activity coursework from:

KINE 1105 - Soccer Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 1106 - Volleyball Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 1112 - Basketball Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 1115 - Bowling Credit(s): 1
KINE 1210 - Jogging Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 1214 - Tennis Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 1216 - Scuba Diving Credit(s): 2
KINE 1219 - Taekwondo Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2100 - Special Studies in Games, Sports and Activities Lab Credit(s): 1 to 2
KINE 2121 - Weight Training Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 2144 - Golf Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 2162 - Racquetball Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 2170 - Angling Lab Credit(s): 1
KINE 2209 - Beginning Swimming Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2210 - Intermediate Swimming Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2211 - ARC Lifeguarding Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2216 - Intermediate Tennis Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2217 - Advanced Scuba Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2219 - Advanced Taekwondo Lab Credit(s): 2
KINE 2276 - Basic Climbing I Credit(s): 2
KINE 2278 - Adventure Education Credit(s): 2
KINE 2312 - Water Safety Instruction Lab Credit(s): 3

Public Health Major

Required Courses

BIOL 2402 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2002 - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab Credit(s): 0
HLTH 1304 - Core Concepts in Health Credit(s): 3
HLTH 2316 - Introduction to Community Health Credit(s): 3
HLTH 2360 - Health Education Methods Credit(s): 3
HLTH 3310 - Public Health Theory and Research Credit(s): 3
HLTH 3345 - Epidemiology Credit(s): 3
HLTH 3360 - Population Health Credit(s): 3
HLTH 4320 - Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competence Credit(s): 3
HLTH 4336 - Environmental Health Credit(s): 3
HLTH 4350 - Health Advocacy and Policy Credit(s): 3
HLTH 4389 - Health Assessment and Intervention Credit(s): 3

Health Electives

Complete three hours of health (HLTH) electives. To be discussed with advisor.

Senior Seminar

Complete one hour of:

HLTH 4170 - Senior Seminar Credit(s): 1 to 3

Internship

Complete five hours of:

HLTH 4180 - Internship Credit(s): 1 to 6

Minor

Complete an academic minor of at least 18 semester hours, but not more than 24 semester hours, with at least six advanced hours at SFA.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Total hours: 120

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (Degree Works). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.