AAS in Public Health
Northampton Community College
Key Information
Campus location
Bethlehem, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 2,535 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* Northampton County PA: $2,535 Monroe County PA: $3,990 Other PA County: $5,325 Out of State/Country: $7,410. Additional fees may apply
Scholarships
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Introduction
Northampton Community College's Public Health major teaches students to educate, counsel, promote, and save lives. This 100% online program provides the initial coursework to prepare students for a career in the public health field. All online courses are facilitated by an instructor and include opportunities for student interaction and participation.
Public health takes a population-based focus on health. Individuals in this field interpret community data to determine health needs and intervention priorities. Studying public health gives students the chance to encourage healthy lifestyles through raised awareness and education.
State licensing
If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in an NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review the requirements on the state board website to make sure that the program qualifies.
Licensure requirements vary from state to state and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program from outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the Program Director for more information.
Admissions
Curriculum
In their first year of the program, students study the basics of both biology and public health. Through courses such as Social and Cultural Perspectives of Health, they gain skills in planning, analyzing, and implementing health programs.
In the second year, first-hand experience in the field allows students to understand both local and global effects of public health initiatives. The capstone course gives students the chance to meet professionals in the field and apply what they've learned in the classroom to practical scenarios.
This program can be completed in two years of full-time study.
Requirements
Admission to the program is open to any student meeting the standard college entrance requirements. Successful students will have sufficient backgrounds in math, biology, and English as required by certain program courses. NCC offers preparatory courses that will meet these needs if necessary. Background clearances and medical requirements are based on the internship site requirements.
First Semester
- COLS101 College Success
- BIOS204 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- CMTH102 Introduction to Communication
- ENGL101 English I
- MATH150 Introductory Statistics
- PUBH101 Introduction to Public Health
Second Semester
- BIOS254 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- ENGL151L English II
- PUBH102 Introduction to Epidemiology
- PUBH103 Social & Cultural Perspectives of Health
- SOCA103 Principles of Sociology
Third Semester
- CISC101 Introduction to Information Technology
- PHIL202G Ethics & Moral Problems
- PSYC103 Introduction to Psychology
- PUBH201 Introduction to Global Health
- PUBH202 Public Health Across the Life Span
Fourth Semester
- PUBH203 Public Health Education Communication
- PUBH204 Community Health Practice
- PUBH205 Public Health Field Experience
- Elective
Program Outcome
Graduates of the program will:
- Analyze the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education interventions and public health programs.
- Identify individual, community, and organization health infrastructure.
- Analyze, disseminate and integrate health research and statistics into health promotion.
- Utilize effective public health-specific concepts for communication in a written and oral format.
- Compare public health initiatives in a variety of diverse settings within community health models.
- Describe the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and health disparities.
- Define the role of prevention and community collaborations in promoting healthy communities.
- Discuss local, regional, national, and global population health.
- Create and apply a health education intervention including planning, implementing, and evaluating.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Public health professionals contribute to a number of health initiatives and work with community leaders to plan, implement, and evaluate health education interventions. These include chronic and infectious disease awareness campaigns, vaccination programs, and family planning and prenatal care initiatives. This program is ideal for those who enjoy working with the public, yet also want to take a broader view of how to promote the health of communities and groups of citizens.
Although public health professionals often work for local, state, or federal public health departments, federal agencies such as the NIH, CDC, and branches of the armed forces also employ all types of public health workers. Private industrial companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions may also hire public health specialists to ensure health and safety standards. Voluntary health agencies, such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Alzheimer's Association often employ public health professionals to run programs and assume administrative roles. Northampton graduates have found success in their careers as:
Future Career Paths
- Health Promotion Counselor
- Patient Navigator
- Health Communications/Public Relations
- Public Health Worker
- Health Coach
- Community Health Educator
- Health Teacher
- Wellness promotion Specialist