College of Health & Social Sciences
The Department of Public Health’s Bachelor of Science in Health Education is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Education is designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills in the field of public health and provide a pathway for graduates to enter a range of professions to influence and support the health of communities. Students engage with a curriculum grounded in public health competencies of social determinants of health, epidemiology, health policy, community organizing, health and power inequities, public health programming and practice in the field. They also build skills to support their agency as informed and engaged participants in a democracy; these include, but are not limited to, oral and written communication skills, quantitative, scientific and information literacy, critical thinking, critical consciousness, cultural humility, teamwork, leadership and creative problem solving.
Our curriculum includes 13 units of lower division courses, 36 units of upper division core courses, and 9 units of electives, for a total of 58 units. The upper division coursework is designed in four semester tiers, where the content, knowledge, and skills build upon each other in sequential semesters. We therefore recommend taking the courses in accordance with the degree roadmap.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Public Health
HSS Building, Room 326
Phone: (415) 338-1413
Email: hed@sfsu.edu
Website: https://publichealth.sfsu.edu/, https://publichealth.sfsu.edu/bs-health-education
Chair: Marty Martinson
Freshmen Student Advising Information
The information provided in this section is provided by your major department. Please review the information to help you determine the best course options for your first semester at SF State.
(1) GE Area A2 (prerequisite for PH 400 GWAR)
(2) GE Area B4 - MATH 124, ETHS 116, ETHS 117, ISED 160 or PSY 171 (prerequisite for PH 425)
(3) Lower division electives, such as: PH 210 (Area D1), PH 290 (C1), PH 241 (D2), PH 221 (D1) that satisfy the major electives as noted in the Bulletin.
(1) GE Area A2 (prerequisite for PH 400 GWAR)
(2) GE Area B4 - MATH 124, ETHS 116, ETHS 117, ISED 160 or PSY 171 (prerequisite for PH 425)
(3) Lower division electives, such as: PH 210 (Area D1), PH 290 (C1), PH 241 (D2), PH 221 (D1) that satisfy the major electives as noted in the Bulletin.
No.
No recommendations.
This department does not have a supplemental worksheet for this major—please refer to the Major Roadmaps listed above.
N/A
No. Students receive group advising in the lower division coursework.
This public health foundation prepares students for a broad range of roles and types of jobs where they may use knowledge, skills and values gained from their public health training to address public health challenges of the 21st century and to advocate for and build healthy communities. Possible employment includes:
- Community Health Worker
- Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Contact Tracer
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Program Coordinator
- Community Planners
- Research Assistant
- Related Graduate Programs examples: nursing, medicine, social work, public policy, public administration, city planning, education, and of course public health!
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.