SJSU Catalog

Health Science Department

Introduction

Health Science is the multidisciplinary study of community health, health services, disease prevention, and health promotion throughout the life span and around the world. Health Science students, both undergraduate and graduate, study health issues from scientific, global, social, cultural, ecological, and multigenerational perspectives. Our undergraduate program, nationally recognized MPH program, minor, and general education classes prepare students for a broad range of careers in the health and social service professions, and a wide variety of other fields that impact individual and community health. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners work together closely, in the classroom and in the field, to build healthy communities and stimulate lifelong learning.

Careers

The flexibility offered by a degree in Health Science, and the practical skills learned in the program, lead to many exciting careers in fields as diverse as public health, health education and administration, marketing and public relations, media, policy, research, clinical care, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development and sales, worksite wellness, politics, government, and environmental health. Students may focus on general professional skills or develop expertise in a particular content area, such as health and aging, HIV/AIDS, women's health, the environment, violence prevention, or mental health.

Internships, Field Work, and Mentoring

Practical experience is a key part of the Health Science Department curriculum. Undergraduates may complete a final-semester internship, along with a seminar focused on professional preparation and career skills. Graduate students complete 400 hours of field work under the guidance of a field work mentor. At both levels, students work as professionals in an exemplary agency, learning on the job while applying knowledge and skills from the classroom. In addition to field work and internships, mentoring is fostered through the department's extensive alumni network, service learning opportunities, class guests, and professional development activities.

Faculty and Staff

The Health Science faculty is nationally known for its public health leadership, commitment to students, scholarship, and service. Full-time faculty members are involved in research, community projects, and consultation, all of which they integrate into class activities. The combined scholarship, publications, and projects of the faculty demonstrate a deep commitment to prevention, health, ethics, and social justice. Faculty members are frequent speakers, trainers, and advisors on community organizing, coalitions and partnerships, research or program design, evaluation, aging, and the future of public health. They are active members of local and national professional organizations, which create invaluable opportunities to students for networking, conference participation, and career development.

The Health Science Department is fortunate to have the talents and expertise of many part-time faculty members. These individuals have full careers in health science professions, but also enjoy teaching the next generation of health professionals. Their perspectives keep our courses current and offer students additional opportunities for mentoring and professional development. Our excellent staff is knowledgeable, organized, and friendly.

The Undergraduate Program

The Health Science Department offers undergraduate courses that combine rigorous analytical training with hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom. Students pursuing the Bachelors of Science degree in Health Science begin with courses that lay a foundation for understanding the multiple dimensions of health (physical, emotional social, environmental, and spiritual) and the scientific basis for understanding health at the population level (epidemiology and biostatistics). Courses early in the major also emphasize the team building and program planning skills necessary for work in our contemporary multicultural society. Students select from one of four options: Option 1 - Health Science plus electives, Option 2 - Health Science plus a minor, Option 3 - Gerontology Concentration, Option 4 - Health Services Administration Concentration, or Option 5 - Health Science, Concentration in Health Professions.

Each of the Health Science options emphasizes a particular content area. Option 1, Health Science plus elective, emphasizes the populations, skills, and issues that prepare a graduate for work in a wide variety of fields related to community health. Option 2, Health Science plus a Minor, allows individual study in areas complementary to the Health Science curriculum. Option 3, the Gerontology Concentration, helps students prepare for careers with the growing aging population, including health care, social services, and long term care. Option 4, the Health Services Administration Concentration provides entry-level training in the administration, design, financing, and delivery of health care in the United States. Option 5, the Health Professions Concentration enables specified health professionals to receive a bachelor's degree. Internships under the guidance of an experience health professional are required for the concentrations and can be an elective in Option 1.

The Health Science minor is an excellent complement for degrees including journalism and mass communications, human performance, nutrition and food science, business, psychology, and the sciences. The minor is also very helpful for students preparing to apply to medical, pharmacy, dental, public health, or other health professional preparation programs. Students taking Health Science general education courses learn valuable skills for personal health, community health promotion, and multicultural communication.

The very active Health Science Undergraduate Student Association (HS-USA) coordinates an annual calendar of social, educational, and service opportunities for students in the department and the broader community. Through these activities, students network with professionals in the field (Careers in Gerontology and Health Science Career Weeks), provide service to the community (i.e., Berryessa Health Fair, Walk for AIDS, serve meals at local shelters, community mapping), and attend local, regional, and national conferences. The HS-USA is also very involved with the faculty, collaborating on joint projects and advising on curriculum and program development.

Community College Transfers

Many Health Science students begin their studies at a community college. Courses evaluated as equivalent to SJSU courses in the lower division are transferable. All transfers must be reviewed and approved by a Health Science advisor. Information on transfer possibilities can be found at the department's website http://www.sjsu.edu/healthscience.

Master in Public Health Program

The SJSU MPH program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health since 1974. The MPH program is firmly rooted in public health values and health education practice, including health, equity, diversity, empowerment, integrity, dignity, and social justice.

MPH faculty are nationally recognized leaders in the field of health education and health promotion. They publish regularly in professional journals and contribute to the scholarship of the field through research, community-based projects, policy advocacy, professional leadership, training, and public speaking. The MPH curriculum reflects this expertise. Together, students faculty, and community partners are actively involved in health education and public health activities throughout Northern California and beyond.

The MPH program is offered in two modes: campus and distance. Both modes follow the same curriculum and meet the same educational objectives. Campus students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis and may take more than two years to complete the degree. Distance students must complete the MPH degree in 24 months. The distance courses are accessed via the Internet through synchronous and asynchronous learning platforms. Additional information on both program modes can be found on the Health Science Department website http://www.sjsu.edu/healthscience/.

The five core areas of public health provide the intellectual framework for advanced study of community health education at the master's level. Students take courses in contemporary public health practice, epidemiology, social and behavioral science theory, environmental health, public health statistics, and health services organization. These courses, along with the advanced specialty courses in community health education, provide numerous and reinforcing opportunities for students to master the competencies of advanced level practice established by the health education profession. Specialty courses emphasize program planning and evaluation, community organization, multicultural communication, groups and training, and research design.

All MPH students complete 400 hours of fieldwork after the first year of coursework. Fieldwork allows the student to apply what has been learned in class through an intensive, high level professional experience under the guidance of a mentor. Students may choose from a wide range of fieldwork settings and opportunities, including local and county health departments, community clinics, Kaiser Permanente, foundations, research organizations, and community based organizations. In recent years, MPH students have arranged fieldwork outside of the United States including Mexico and France.

Students may choose either a Graduate Project, Master's Thesis or Comprehensive Exam to fulfill the university's graduation requirement. The MPH program culminates with a capstone course in public health leadership.

The MPH curriculum is enhanced by ongoing professional development activities implemented by the MPH Student Association (MPH-SA). Student leaders work with faculty members to plan, implement, and evaluate the new student orientation, annual training on sexual diversity and health, an international health issues and careers forum, and master classes with visiting scholars. Together, the undergraduate and graduate students plan the department's gala convocations that celebrate the achievements of each year's graduates.

Further information on the MPH program can be found at the department's website.