Public Health
Public Health
The AS-T in Public Health Science provides preparation for students interested in careers in public health. Some of the careers opportunities for those who study public health include epidemiologists, community health workers, environmental scientists, health educators, public health officers, biostatisticians, clinical research coordinators, nonprofit coordinators, research assistants, healthcare consultants, hospital administrators, clinical trials analysts, infection control officers, project managers, public health nurses, nutritionists, and behavioral scientists.
The Associate in Sciences Degree in Public Health Science for Transfer (Public Health Science AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Science or Health Science or a “similar” major at a CSU campus. Students completing the degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Each CSU campus determines which of the degrees it offers are “similar” and can be completed with the preparation included in the AS-T in Public Health Science within 60 units once a student transfers, so which majors are “similar” varies from CSU to CSU. For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designated as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to icangotocollege.com and seek guidance from an Oxnard College counselor. The AS-T in Public Health Science may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a college or university that is not part of the CSU system.
This course presents an overview of the disciplines of community and public health. Topics include the basic concepts and terminologies of public health; an overview of various public health professions and organizations; the study, prevention and control of diseases in the community; the analysis of the social determinants of health; strategies for eliminating disease, illness, and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; school health promotion; environmental health and safety; and an overview of the healthcare delivery system in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on the development of knowledge and preliminary skills to serve as an effective advocate for community and public health.
This course will examine personal and social determinants of health through the examination of the role individuals play in their own health and wellbeing, along with the impact of environmental, social, structural, and cultural factors that play a role both in individual and community and public health. Health disparities and inequities in sexually diverse, gender, racial, and minority populations will be explored, and culturally competent ideas to bridge the health equity gap and improve population health will be developed.