Public Health

Public health focuses on vulnerable populations and uses a proactive, preventive, and group approach to address the health needs of communities (regions, countries, or even the world) that are experiencing health disparities. Public health methods coordinate the work of individuals, organizations, as well as private, government, and public entities. These public health methods are unique from those of other health professions that focus on individuals.
 
Responding to public health crises is always a concern for large urban centers such as Philadelphia. These public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis, affect other areas related to public health, such as the homicide rate and homelessness, and increase the need for public health professionals to focus on the specific needs of city residents. 
 
The AA in Public Health is multi-disciplinary program designed for transfer, with an emphasis on communication (oral and written) and sociology in the context of health and health care. Students will develop a theoretical understanding of group dynamics, learn population-based approaches to health, and analyze the historical and structural factors that create health and health care disparities and impact health. The AA in Public Health also prepares students to advocate for issues they care about within their own communities.

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Careers

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Biostatisticians – est. salary $98,233*
Administrative Services Managers – est. salary $126,361
Health Education Specialists – est. salary $61,372

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Transfer Opportunities

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Public Health degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes  Course Type
PH 101 - Introduction to Public Health 3 credits Prereq for PH 102 Major Course
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
3 credits Prereq for ENGL 102, must earn a C or better, ENGL 115, ENGL 118, and AH 204 Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or 
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis
3 credits FNMT 118 and MATH 150 require FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement
 
FNMT 118 or MATH 251 are prereqs for PH 226
 
Prereq for MATH 251, must earn a C or better, and AH 224
 
Students should consult an advisor or program faculty
Quantitative Reasoning
AH 101 - Introduction to the Health Care Professions 3 credits   First-Year Experience Course
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
3 credits Prereq for SOC 231 Cultural Analysis and Interpretation

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes  Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits   Writing/Research/Info Lit 2
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology 3 credits   Technological Competency
BIOL 109 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits Prereq for BIOL 110 Scientific Reasoning
PH 102 - Community Health Education and Promotion 3 credits Prereq for PH 226 Major Course
SOC 105 - Health and Society 3 credits   Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes  Course Type
MATH 251 - Statistics for Science 3 credits Prereq for AH 224
FNMT 118 or MATH 251 are prereqs for PH 226
 
BIOL 110 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits    
SOC 231 - Social Problems or 
SOC 233 - Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequalities
3credits Prereq for PH 226 Advanced Sociology Course
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits ENGL 101 may be taken concurrently with ENGL 115 Oral Communication/ Creative Expression
AH 204 - Medical Law and Ethics 3 credits   Major Course

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes  Course Type
PH 222 - Health Care Policy and Administration 3 credits   Major Course
AH 224 - Current Issues and Trends in Health Care 3 credits   Major Course
AH 116 - Interpersonal and Professional Skills in the Health Care Setting 3 credits   Communication Course
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication 3 credits ENGL 101 may be taken concurrently with ENGL 118 Communication Course
PH 226 - Foundations in Public Health Research 3 credits   Major Course

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request for Course Substitution of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

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