Public Health Minor
Study population-level health challenges through coursework in biology, epidemiology, statistics, and community health. The Public Health Minor prepares students for public health fields by building an understanding of the concepts, language, and methods used to improve health across communities.
Study public health. Understand communities. Build skills for population-level health work.
Program Type: Minor
Total Credit Hours: 19 Credits
Open to: All MCLA Undergraduates
Why Add a Public Health Minor?
The Public Health Minor prepares students for careers in public health fields by building an understanding of the concepts, language, and methods used to address population-level health challenges. It adds epidemiological thinking, community health knowledge, and health data skills that strengthen pre-health, science, and social science majors.
Population-Level Thinking
Students learn to examine health challenges across communities and populations, not only through individual clinical care. Coursework introduces the concepts, language, and methods used to address population-level health issues.
Internship and Observation Opportunities
Students may explore established or individualized internship and observation opportunities connected to Health Sciences and Biology Department networks, with advisor and faculty support. Sites have included Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Area Health Education Center, and local community partners.
CHES® Exam Alignment
The minor shares coursework with the Public Health & Community Health Education curriculum, including public health, epidemiology, and statistics. Students interested in CHES® eligibility should confirm with an advisor whether their combined coursework meets NCHEC credit requirements.
Public Health Minor Requirements
The Public Health Minor requires 19 credits.
Required Courses:
- BIOL 150: Introduction to Biology I Cells
- BIOL 312 / PHCH 312: Epidemiology
- HLTH 150 / PHCH 150: Introduction to Public and Community Health
- MATH 232: Introduction to Statistics or MATH 232H: Honors Introduction to Statistics
Elective Courses:
- Students select two electives, totaling 6 credits. At least one elective must be at the 300-level or above.
Confirmed elective options include
- ANTH 310: Global Health
- ANTH 315: Community Health
- BIOL 412 / PHCH 412: Research Methods in Epidemiology
- HLTH 200 / PHCH 200: Health Promotion and Planning
- HLTH 310 / PHCH 310: Environmental Health
- HLTH 350 / PHCH 350: Health Communication
- HLTH 540 / PHCH 540: Internship in Community Health Education
How to Add the Public Health Minor
Enrolled MCLA students can add the Public Health Minor by meeting with their academic advisor and selecting required and elective courses that total 19 credits.
Who Can Add the Public Health Minor?
The Public Health Minor is open to all MCLA undergraduates. Students should confirm any program-specific restrictions with the Health Sciences department.
Health Sciences: Health Sciences students can deepen their population-level thinking while adding
epidemiology and community health skills that complement pre-PA, pre-PT, pre-OT, medical
lab, and related pathways.
Biology: Biology students in pre-medical, pre-veterinary, or biotechnology tracks can strengthen
their scientific preparation with public health training focused on populations, prevention,
and disease patterns.
Nursing: Nursing students can add a broader community and population health perspective, complementing
clinical training with coursework in prevention, health promotion, epidemiology, and
health data.
Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work: Students focused on social determinants of health, community development, and human
services can add scientific grounding in epidemiology, biology, statistics, and health
systems.
Global & Intercultural Studies: GIST students can use the minor to study global health inequities and population-level
challenges, supported by electives such as ANTH 310: Global Health and ANTH 315: Community
Health.
Skills You Will Develop
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FAQs
Students may be able to combine the Public Health Minor with another minor, depending on course overlap and program rules. They should confirm their plan with an academic advisor.
Some coursework may support preparation for health education pathways, but CHES® eligibility depends on a student’s full academic record and NCHEC requirements. Students should confirm their plan with an advisor.
No. The minor includes introductory coursework in public and community health, biology, statistics, and epidemiology.
Yes. Transfer students may complete the minor if they can fit the required 19 credits into their academic plan. An advisor can help review transfer coursework and remaining requirements.
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