Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Health Science - Public Health, Bachelor of Science (BS) / Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU) (Traditional)

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Effective Professional Communication: Communicate with clients in an individual or group setting and with health professionals in a variety of health settings using a combination of communication skills for a clear exchange of ideas and information, listening and comprehending the viewpoints of others, effectively presenting information in oral and written formats and integrating media/technology. (UO 1)
  • Professional Competency: Use reasoned judgment drawing upon a broad knowledge base from social, behavioral and natural science, education and health to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and coordinate health promotion for individuals and communities. (UO 2,3,4)
  • Professional Ethics: Apply high ethical standards to public health practice with a sensitivity to multicultural traditions, legal issues, and adherence to a code of ethics of professional health organizations. (UO 8,9,10)
  • Continual Professional and Personal Development: Continue personal and professional development in holistic health, including the components of physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental and vocational health, through continuing education, advanced study, and participation in professional health organizations. (UO 5,7,9)

What are your options?

Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2: Earn a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in five years rather than six. In the first three years, you complete your major courses and prerequisites for the SRU PA program. At the end of your second year, you apply for admission into the SRU PA program. If accepted, your first year in the SRU PA program meets the remaining requirements for your undergraduate degree. If not accepted, you continue to complete your undergraduate degree and can reapply to the program. The accelerated option is for incoming freshmen only.

Pre-Physician Assistant (SRU Traditional): Complete the requirements for your major and the prerequisites for the SRU PA program and apply to the SRU PA program in your senior year.

RELATED LINKS

Public Health - Pre-Physician Assistant, BS Program Page

Public Health Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher Major GPA: 2.0 or higher 

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements44
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major Requirements60
Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements15
Additional Physician Assistant Prerequisite Courses21
Electives0

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Physical & Natural Sciences Inquiry
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
Subtotal17
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Required Thematic Thread Coursework:
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Psychology
Total Hours44
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

  • 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • Students may choose to earn a BS in Health Science – Public Health as preparation for graduate studies in many health care related fields. In this case, the student should learn what prerequisites are required for his/her intended graduate program and take those courses as electives while completing the Public Health program.

Required Courses in Public Health
HLTH 103Health and Behavior Change3
HLTH 210Introduction to Public Health3
HLTH 301Introduction to Health Education3
HLTH 309Introduction to the Study of Disease3
HLTH 310Environmental Health3
HLTH 311International Health3
HLTH 312Data Management for Health Science3
HLTH 313Biostatistics3
HLTH 314Nutrition and Health3
HLTH 406Program Planning and Evaluation3
HLTH 410Epidemiology3
HLTH 440Public Health Seminar3
Subtotal36
Required Internship
HLTH 450Internship12
Subtotal12
Required Course outside of Major Department
BIOL 210Medical Microbiology with Lab3
Subtotal3
Required Coursework:
Select three courses from the list below:9
Public Health and Physical Activity
Women's Health Issues
Human Sexuality
Public Health Administration
Aging and the Older Person
Death and Dying
Subtotal9
Total Hours60
*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATH COLLEGE-WIDE REQUIREMENTS

CHEM 107General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab1
STAT 152Elementary Statistics I3
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
Total Hours15

ADDITIONAL PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PREREQUISITE COURSES

BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab4
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab4
CHEM 108General Chemistry II3
CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab1
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I3
EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
Total Hours21

CO-CURRICULAR AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. Conference attendance
  2. Service-Learning
  3. Internships
  4. Career Education
  5. Peer Education Opportunities

Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies)
Prerequisite Admission Requirements

For Application Requirements

Please refer to Slippery Rock University’s Physician Assistant Studies (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies) website for requirements: http://www.sru.edu/pa

Rock Studies 2

Prerequisite Courses - SRU Physician Assistant
BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab4
BIOL 209Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
BIOL 250Genetics with Lab4
BIOL 210Medical Microbiology with Lab3
or BIOL 330 Microbiology/Lab
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 108
CHEM 112
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I3
EXSC 250Medical Terminology3
or HCAM 250 Medical Terminology for Healthcare Administrators
PSYC 105Introduction to Psychology3
Inferential Statistics Course 3
Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab
Elementary Statistics I
Total Hours39

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

HEALTH SCIENCE - PUBLIC HEALTH (6266)
PRE-PA (SRU Traditional)
Effective Summer 2023
Revised 05.30.2023
UCC 02.28.2023

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
HLTH 103 Health and Behavior Change 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours13
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours12
Second Year
Fall
HLTH 210 Introduction to Public Health 3
BIOL 209 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Public Health Supporting Coursework 3
Declare a Thematic Thread (Choose a Thematic Thread that contains PSYC 105/EXSC 250) 2
 Hours13
Spring
HLTH 301 Introduction to Health Education 3
BIOL 210 Medical Microbiology with Lab 3
BIOL 309 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
STAT 152 Elementary Statistics I 3
 Hours13
Third Year
Fall
HLTH 312 Data Management for Health Science 3
HLTH 314 Nutrition and Health 3
HLTH 406 Program Planning and Evaluation 3
CHEM 107
CHEM 111
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
Thematic Thread Requirement - 300+ Level 3 3
 Hours16
Spring
HLTH 310 Environmental Health 3
HLTH 311 International Health 3
HLTH 313 Biostatistics 3
HLTH 410 Epidemiology 3
CHEM 108
CHEM 112
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
 Hours16
Summer
HLTH 450 Internship 12
 Hours12
Fourth Year
Fall
HLTH 309 Introduction to the Study of Disease 3
BIOL 114 Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab 4
CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I 3
Public Health Supporting Coursework 3
 Hours13
Winter
Potential On-line Winter Courses
International Health
 Hours0
Spring
HLTH 440 Public Health Seminar 3
BIOL 250 Genetics with Lab 4
EXSC 250 Medical Terminology 3
Public Health Supporting Coursework 3
Thematic Thread Requirement - 300+ Level 3 3
 Hours16
Summer
Potential On-line Summer Courses
Women's Health Issues
International Health
 Hours0
 Total Hours**124
*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

3

If your Thematic Thread does not include one or both of these courses, then you will need to take 1 or 2 additional lower level Thematic Thread courses.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 6266
Concentration Code: SRU Traditional
Revised: 06.05.2023