Public Health Science
Public Health Science

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 provides an introduction to the discipline of Public Health. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts and terminologies of public health, and the history and accomplishments of public health officials and agencies. An overview of the functions of various public health professions and institutions, and an in-depth examination of the core public health disciplines is covered. Topics of the discipline include the epidemiology of infectious and chronic disease; prevention and control of diseases in the community including the analysis of the social determinants of health and strategies for eliminating disease, illness and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; environmental health and safety; global health; and healthcare policy and management.