Public Health–Pre-Nursing Pr...

Public Health–Pre-Nursing Program

Promote health, wellness, and disease prevention.
IN THIS SECTION

Get the skills to start your career

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how important public health strategists and nursing professionals are. The Public Health–Pre-Nursing Program will give you the skills to start your career path in this field. In this dual-degree program, you will prepare for the roles and responsibilities of professional nursing. You will examine the social, behavioral, and environmental determinants associated with pressing health problems and learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate health promotion programs and preventive services to improve population health.

The program is based on a formal affiliation agreement that admits a limited number of students into an articulated program that begins with 83 credits at Worcester State in the Public Health/Pre-Nursing program and continues with the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University (MCPHS University) Worcester or Manchester, NH, campus. At the completion of the appropriate 37 credits (of the 63 required) at MCPHS University, you will transfer those credits back to Worcester State and earn a bachelor of science in public health. You will then complete the additional number of appropriate credits (26) at MCPHS University to earn the BS in nursing. Students should see the advisor in the Health Sciences Department assigned to the program.

The bachelor of science in public health requires the following 83 credits at Worcester State followed by the 63 credits in nursing, which will be taken at the MCPHS University campus in either Worcester or Manchester, NH.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Acquire knowledge and practical skills that prepare you to pursue a career in a public health–related profession
  • Understand the importance of prevention strategies in improving health and well-being
  • Develop a data analysis plan for evaluation and research related to health promotion
  • Complete a semester-long fieldwork practicum at a community organization in Worcester or beyond
  • Develop practical nursing skills

VIEW THE CATALOG

Explore sample courses in this program.
HC-201 Introduction to Public Health
This course is an overview and will focus on populations, prevention, and the evidence-based practice of public health.
3 credits
BI-161 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Considers human cellular biology, tissues, integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal, muscular systems. Three hours of lecture and a three-hour laboratory per week.
4 credits
CH-112 Survey of Chemistry
Chemical and physical properties of inorganic, organic and biochemical compounds with implications for human health and environment. Ancillary course - Nursing program. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.
4 credits
HE-100 Personal Health
Physical, mental, and emotional aspects of well-being and how to maintain and increase the quality of one's lifestyle.
3 credits
PS-210 Developmental Psychology
Physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and moral development from conception to adolescence is examined within a framework of various theories.
3 credits
SO-100 Introduction to Sociology
The nature of group behavior and social interaction viewed through analysis of structure, norms, and values.
3 credits
BI-162 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Considers digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, immune and lymphatic systems; water and electrolyte balance, reproduction and embryology. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.
4 credits
BI-206 Medical Microbiology
A study of growth and control of pathogenic microorganisms with emphasis on infectious disease transmission, immune responses, prevention and treatment. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
4 credits
HC-202 Introduction to Global Health
This course is an overview and will focus on the developing world from a population and prevention perspective.
3 credits
HC-415 Community Health Planning and Promotion
Emphasis on community analysis; defining and verifying community health problems and establishing goals and objectives. Research paper.
3 credits
PS-275 Psychological Statistics
Data tabulation; graphing; measurement of central tendency, variability and correlation; hypothesis testing applied to psychological and sociological data. Hand and computer analysis.
4 credits
HE-120 Health and Nutrition
Nutritional needs, weight control, healthy diets, myths, and nutritional aids to better health.
3 credits
HC-203 Introduction to Epidemiology
Basic epidemiologic concepts are covered and application of concepts to everyday problems; e.g., hazards in food supplies and risks associated with lifestyle.
3 credits
HC-425 Research Seminar
Students will be required to produce a proposal for a research study based on a community public health issue.
3 credits
HE-390 Environmental Health
Examination of the issues affecting the environment and their impact on our health.
3 credits
HE-210 Women's Health Issues
Overview of women's health issues: women in the health marketplace, a woman's right to control her body, media images and illness, eating disorders, therapy, alcohol, aging and the women's health movement.
3 credits