Public Health

Public health professionals work to protect the health of populations through research, disease prevention, and control, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and policy making.  Public health professionals also focus on reducing health disparities, improving health care equity and quality, and health care access. Through surveillance of health problems, these professionals are able to address the concerns of communities and mobilize partners to ensure the health of entire populations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete bachelor degree requirements should be able to:

• Recognize the core values, concepts, and functions of public health in the United States and across the globe;
• Conduct data collection and statistical analysis to inform evidence-based practices as an essential part of public health practice;
• Identify population health challenges and prevention approaches to address community health issues;
• Demonstrate understanding of the science of human health and disease in the promoting and protecting of health across the life span;
• Assess community dynamics to identify stakeholders and networks for collaborative partnerships for community approaches to public health;
• Construct and evaluate effective health promotion using critical thinking skills and creativity;
• Interpret quantitative and qualitative research data;
• Evaluate the cultural context of program design and implementation effectiveness;
• Differentiate between the characteristics of the United States health care system and other countries;
• Discuss the importance of health care policy and concepts of legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions of health care, public health laws, and roles of government;
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in verbal and written formats;
• Apply systems thinking approaches to develop effective strategies to address public health issues.

Assessment

Proficiency in subject knowledge is assessed through class discussions, examinations, research papers and projects, oral and poster presentations, capstone experiences, and internships.

Transfer Policy

Students in the Public Health program must complete at least half of the major credits at Rivier University.

Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Public Health (Day)
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health (Online)

• Master of Public Health

• Minor in Public Health