Academic Catalog

Pre-Public Health

St. Catherine University offers a dual-degree program for the Master of Public Health for a limited number of undergraduate students. This program is available only to certain majors and contingent on students meeting MPH admission requirements. This information can be found under the "Major Requirements" heading.

Qualifying students will complete their undergraduate major in three years. In their fourth year, while still enrolled at the undergraduate level, students will begin taking MPH courses while completing any remaining undergraduate requirements to earn their Bachelor's degree. In their fifth year, students will complete the MPH program while enrolled as graduate students.

The majors listed below have each developed a sequence of courses that include the Master of Public Health (MPH) program prerequisites, liberal arts core requirements, and major course work in their respective fields. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will earn a B.A. or B.S. degree (depending on degree available) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. 

Dual Degree (3+2) Applicants

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:


The curriculum listed below indicates the undergraduate coursework a student must complete by the end of their junior year.

Students who are admitted into the MPH program will take graduate level coursework in their senior year, which will count towards their undergraduate and graduate program requirements. Typically, students will be awarded their Bachelor's Degree at the end of their senior year.

After completion of their Bacehlor degree, students will complete any remaining graduate level courses to earn their Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.

 

Applied Science in Biology

This major is available in the College for Women only. 

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.A. in Biology or B.S. in Biology.

Biology Courses

BIOL 1710Foundations of Biology: Diversity and Evolution with Lab4
BIOL 1720Foundations of Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab4
BIOL 2720Sophomore Seminar2
BIOL 2710Introduction to Ecology with Lab4
or BIOL 2810 Genetics with Lab
BIOL 3210Biology of Microorganisms with Lab4
BIOL 4860WSenior Seminar4
Select two from:8
Human and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
Human and Comparative Animal Physiology with Lab
Cell Biology with Lab
Evolutionary Biology with Lab
Immunology with Lab
Total Credits30

Required Supporting Courses (also fulfills MPH prerequisite requirements)

CHEM 1110General Chemistry I with Lab4
CHEM 1120General Chemistry II with Lab4
HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Total Credits16

 

Applied Science in Communication Studies

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Communication Studies major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)                                   

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Biology laboratory science course
Chemistry laboratory science course
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12

Communication Studies Courses    

COMM 1000WCommunication Strategies for Social Justice4
COMM 1030Speaking to Lead and Influence4
COMM 2050Media, Culture and Society4
COMM 3070WGender and Rhetoric4
COMM 3100Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences4
COMM 4600Leadership and the Art of Persuasion4
COMM 4850Senior Seminar4
One additional 4000-level course 4
Total Credits32

 

Economics

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Economics.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Biology laboratory science course
Chemistry laboratory science course
Total Credits8

 Economics Courses  

ECON 1090Statistical Analysis for Decision Making 14
ECON 2610Principles of Microeconomics4
ECON 2620Principles of Macroeconomics4
ECON 3050Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills4
ECON 3610Microeconomic Theory4
ECON 3620Macroeconomic Theory4
Three additional 3000- or 4000-level courses in economics, chosen with the help of an advisor12
Total Credits36
1

 Also meets prerequisite requirement for MPH

 

English

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.A. in English.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Biology laboratory science course
Chemistry laboratory science course
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12

 English Courses

ENGL 1450Introduction to Linguistics and Language4
ENGL 3202Literary Theory and Practice4
Five electives, at least two of which are 3000 or 4000 level20
Total Credits28

 

Applied Science in Exercise and Sport Science

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)                                              

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits8

Required Supporting Courses:

BIOL 2610Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab 14
BIOL 2620Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab4
PSYC 1001General Psychology with Lab4
PSYC 2025Lifespan Developmental Psychology4
IPE 1030Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology2
Total Credits18
1

 Also meets prerequisite requirement for MPH

Exercise and Sport Science Courses

EXSS 2660Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science4
EXSS 2800WIntroduction to Research Methods in Exercise Science4
EXSS 3350Kinesiology and Biomechanics with Lab4
EXSS 3450Exercise Physiology with Lab4
EXSS 3550Exercise Testing and Prescription with Lab4
EXSS 3615Motor Learning and Motor Control4
EXSS 3750Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries2
IPE 4200WHealthcare Teams - Evidence-Based Practice4
Total Credits30

 

Gender and Women's Studies

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Gender and Women's Studies major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
BIOL 1120Biology of Women with Lab 14
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12
1

 Also meets requirement for Gender and Women's Studies major

Gender and Women's Studies Courses

WOST 2050WFoundations of Gender and Women's Studies4
WOST 3640Feminist Theory4
or WOST 3900 Feminist Philosophy
WOST 4604Internship4
WOST 4850WSenior Seminar4
Cross-Listed Electives 1
Choose one course with a global focus from:4
Women and Globalization
Women's Issues from Global Perspectives
Or other 3000/4000-level WOST cross-listed course focused on global perspectives with permission of chair
One WOST course cross-listed in arts or humanities4
One elective cross-listed with any department and WOST4
Total Credits28
1

A list of eligible electives may be found on the Gender and Women's Studies catalog page. One elective course must also be cross-listed with Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity.

 

Applied Science in Nutrition Science

This program is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Nutrition Science.

Required Prerequisite Course (pre-MPH)                                                                        

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Total Credits4

Required Supporting Courses:

BIOL 2610Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab 14
BIOL 2620Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab4
CHEM 1110General Chemistry I with Lab4
CHEM 1120General Chemistry II with Lab4
CHEM 2010Organic Chemistry I with Lab4
PSYC 1001General Psychology with Lab4
Select one of the following: 14
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits28
1

 Also meets prerequisite course requirement for MPH

Nutrition Science Courses      

FSNU 2300Nutrition Foundations4
FSNU 3400Sports Nutrition4
FSNU 3340Lifecycle Nutrition Pediatrics4
FSNU 3360 Lifecycle Nutrition Adults4
FSNU 4270Current Issues in Foods and Nutrition4
FSNU 4300WAdvanced Nutrition4
Total Credits24

 

Philosophy

This program is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Philosophy major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.A. degree.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)                                   

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Biology laboratory science course
Chemistry laboratory science course
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12

Philosophy Courses

PHIL 2994Topics4
PHIL 3994Topics4
PHIL 4994Topics (one upper-division Topics course)4
Five additional courses selected from the PHIL course offerings, four at the 3000-level or above.20
Total Credits32

 

Applied Science in Psychology

This program is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.A. in Psychology.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)    

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
One biology laboratory science course4
Total Credits8

 Psychology Courses

PSYC 1001General Psychology with Lab4
PSYC 1090Statistical Methods in Psychology 14
PSYC 2025Lifespan Developmental Psychology4
PSYC 3000Research Methods in Psychology4
PSYC 3010Understanding Psychological Disorders4
PSYC 4220WHistory and Systems4
One psychology elective of the student's choice at the 3000-level or 4000-level4
Total Credits28
1

 Also meets prerequisite course requirement for MPH

 

Public Health: Community Health Worker

This major is available in both the College for Women and the College for Adults.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Public Health: Community Health Worker.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)                                              

BIOL 1120Biology of Women with Lab4
Select one of the following: 14
Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits8
1

 Also meets requirement for Public Health: Community Health Worker Major and Concentration


Public Health: Community Health Worker Courses

HLTH 1964Community Health Worker Role, Advocacy, Outreach and Resources3
HLTH 1966Health Communication and Cultural Competence, Teaching and Capacity Building3
HLTH 1968Documentation, Legal and Ethical Issues in Community Health Work3
HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
HLTH 1974Health Promotion Competencies I3
HLTH 1975Health Promotion Competencies II2
HLTH 3150Epidemiology4
HLTH 3350Environmental Health4
HLTH 4700Practicum Preparation2
HLTH 4754Practicum4
HLTH 4800WSenior Seminar in Public Health4
IPE 1030Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology1-2
or IPE 1020 Medical Terminology
MGMT 3850Healthcare Policy4
or ECON 3250 Healthcare Economics
One elective course 2000 level or higher 24
Total Credits45-46
2

See course options on the Public Health catalog page.

 

Public Health: Health Sciences

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Public Health: Health Sciences.

Required Prerequisite Course (pre-MPH)    

Select one of the following: 14
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits4
1

 Also meets requirement for Public Health: Health Sciences Major and Concentration

Public Health: Health Sciences courses

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
HLTH 3150Epidemiology4
HLTH 3350Environmental Health4
HLTH 4700Practicum Preparation2
HLTH 4754Practicum4
HLTH 4800WSenior Seminar in Public Health4
IPE 1030Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology1-2
or IPE 1020 Medical Terminology
MGMT 3850Healthcare Policy4
or ECON 3250 Healthcare Economics
Five courses in the area of human health and biological impacts on human health 220
One 2000 level or higher course related to the social, behavior, legal, ethical or economic dimension of health 24
Total Credits51-52
1

Also meets requirement for Public Health: Health Sciences Major and Concentration

2

See course options on the Public Health catalog page.

 

Public Health: Public Policy

This major is available in both the College for Women and the College for Adults.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Public Health: Public Policy.

Select one of the following: 14
Biology laboratory science course (BIOL 1120 or BIOL 2610 recommended)
Chemistry laboratory science course
Select one of the following: 14
Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits8
1

Also meets requirement for Public Health: Public Policy Major and Concentration

Public Health: Public Policy Courses

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
HLTH 3150Epidemiology4
HLTH 3350Environmental Health4
HLTH 4700Practicum Preparation2
HLTH 4754Practicum4
HLTH 4800WSenior Seminar in Public Health4
IPE 1030Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology1-2
or IPE 1020 Medical Terminology
MGMT 3850Healthcare Policy4
or ECON 3250 Healthcare Economics
Two courses that focus on the social and behavioral impacts on health and health disparities 28
Two courses that focus on the legal and economic dimensions of healthcare and public policy 28
One 2000 level or higher course related to the social, behavior, legal, ethical or economic dimension of health 24
Total Credits47-48
2

See course options on the Public Health catalog page.

 

Public Policy

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year will have satisfied the requirements for the Public Policy major, but may need additional credits to earn a B.S. degree.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)

HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following:4
Biology laboratory science course
Chemistry laboratory science course
Select one of the following:4
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12

Public Policy Courses

ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
ECON 2610Principles of Microeconomics4
ECON 3050Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills4
ECON 3650Cost-Benefit Analysis4
ECON 4850Theory to Action4
POSC 1710WIntroduction to American Government and Policy4
POSC 3070Public Policy4
Select three of the following (at least two must be at the 3000 level)12
Any POSC course
Any ECON course
Intro to the Nonprofit Sector
Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
Development and Fundraising for Social Service Organizations
Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
Social Movements-Social Change
Migration, Citizenship, Community
Family, Identity and Inequality
Criminal Justice: From Policing to Punishment
Neighborhoods, Cities and Inequality
Introduction to Social Work
Social Policy for Social Change
Total Credits40

Women and International Development

This major is available in the College for Women only.

Students who do not gain entry into the MPH program after their junior year complete the remaining course requirements for the B.S. in Women and International Development.

Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-MPH)

BIOL 1110Environmental Biology with Lab 14
HLTH 2050Foundations in Public Health4
Select one of the following: 14
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Biostatistics
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis with Corequisite
Total Credits12
1

 Also meets requirement for Women and International Development major

Women and International Development Courses

ECON 1120Economics of Social Issues4
ECON 2620Principles of Macroeconomics4
ECON 3450WHaves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality4
SOCI 2200People, Stories and Images: Qualitative Social Research4
or ECON 3050 Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills
WOST 2050WFoundations of Gender and Women's Studies4
WOST 4850WSenior Seminar4
Select one of the following:4
Women and Globalization
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
Total Credits28

 

GRADUATE COURSES TAKEN SENIOR YEAR

HLTH 6000Critical Issues in Global Public Health3
HLTH 6010Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics I3
HLTH 6020Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics II3
HLTH 6030Design and Implementation of Global Health Programs3
HLTH 6050Monitoring and Evaluation of Global Health Programs3
HLTH 6100Ethics and Human Rights for Global Health1
Choose two from:5-6
Global Health Policy and Governance
Topics-Based Elective 1
Skills-Based Elective 1
Total Credits21-22
1

See below for list of Topics & Skills-Based Elective options

GRADUATE COURSES TAKEN  AFTER COMPLETION OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Required Courses:
HLTH 6040Global Health Policy and Governance 13
HLTH 6110International Perspectives in Environmental Health Sciences3
HLTH 6130Social and Behavioral Health Theories and Applications3
HLTH 7100200-Hour Practicum4
HLTH 7200Capstone3
Choose one or two Skills-Based Electives from: 23-6
Health Communication
Qualitative Research Methods
HLTH 6230
Health Economics and Policy
Quantitative Data Analysis
Child Family Health International Global Education Program
Choose two or three Topics-Based Electives from: 24-6
Refugee and Immigrant Health
Global Issues in Women's Health
Public Health in Conflict and Humanitarian Emergencies
Infectious Disease: From COVID-19 to malaria and TB
Violence as a Public Health Issue
HLTH 6380
Healthcare Systems and Policy
HLTH 6720
Social Determinants of Health
HLTH 6810
Perspectives of Health and Healing in India
HLTH 6953
Independent Study (pending departmental approval)
Global Health and Populations
Total Credits23-28
1

Only required if the course was not taken during senior year.

2

Number of courses/credits is dependent on electives chosen in senior year.