Health Sciences (B.S.) - Public Health Specialization
This undergraduate program, grounded in the university's Liberal Arts Core, provides students resources for developing professional skills in exercise testing, physical activity leadership, health and fitness assessment, exercise programming, wellness coaching, planning health promotion programs, and public health. Graduates are prepared for beginning administrative, supervisory, and leadership positions in commercial and community health and athletic clubs, corporate fitness and wellness programs, public health nonprofit and government agencies, and for undertaking graduate study in health education, exercise science, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, and public health. In addition, qualified students may apply for an accelerated B.S. to M.S. program in public health education and promotion.
Students will choose from four specialization areas: exercise science/strength and conditioning, public health, pre-physical therapy, or pre-professional.
Students completing the baccalaureate degree in Marymount’s health sciences programs are prepared to apply for exercise physiologist or personal trainer certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), strength and conditioning certification offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification. Exercise science/strength and conditioning, pre-physical therapy, and pre-professional tracks are all accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Upon successful completion of the health sciences program, students will be able to
- demonstrate the knowledge required to function as competent entry-level professionals in the health/fitness industry;
- demonstrate competence in using equipment, industry tools/inventories, and/or other practical "hands-on" applications typically used in health and wellness settings and/or clinical settings;
- demonstrate the ability to effectively educate and/or counsel individuals regarding behavior modification for the promotion of health and wellness;
- apply ethical standards to the conduct of health and wellness programs; and
- evaluate information to address the health needs/concerns of individuals or groups.
This specialization is based on recommendations by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the American Public Health Association (APHA). Students complete work in health promotion, natural sciences, socio-cultural perspectives, public health, and interdisciplinary health-related courses to positively influence the health knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors of individuals and communities.
Students are prepared to take the Certified Health Education Certification (CHES) exam through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) at the completion of this health sciences (public health) degree. This degree can lead to career opportunities in nonprofit and community health organizations, health departments, government agencies, corporate wellness programs, hospitals, and wellness coaching.
Students taking this specialization are strongly encouraged to consider the accelerated B.S. to M.S. program in public health education and promotion and should consult an advisor for more information.
Internship Prerequisites: A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better; a grade of C- or better in HPR 202, HPR 301, and HPR 410; and a minimum of 12 credits earned at Marymount are needed to register for the internship.
Internship Requirements: When other requirements are completed, and minimum grade requirements are met, the student completes a 120-hour, three-credit internship.
Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade of C- in HPR 202, HPR 215, HPR 240, HPR 301, HPR 330, HPR 410, and HPR 430.
Degree Requirements - Health Sciences Public Health Specialization
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
See the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy
Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Health Sciences Core
| HPR 201 | Introduction to Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| HPR 210 | First Aid and Safety | 1 |
| HPR 225 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| HPR 340 | Nutrition for Optimal Health | 3 |
Health and Human Performance
A minimum grade of C- is required in the following courses:
Biology Requirement
Psychology
| PSY 101 | General Psychology * | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
Public Health Core
A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
| HPR 215 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HPR 240 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| HPR 330 | Designing Public Health Programs | 3 |
| HPR 430 | Public Health Capstone | 3 |
Public Health Requirements
Sample Degree Plans - Health Sciences Public Health Specialization
Year One - Fall
| BIO 151 | General Biology I * | 3 |
| BIO 151L | General Biology I Lab * | 1 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| HPR 201 | Introduction to Health and Exercise Science | 3 |
| | |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology * | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| | |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | 3 |
Year One - Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| HPR 202 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Mathematics (MT) core course - MA 119 or higher, MA 132 recommended | |
Year Two - Fall
| BIO 161 | Anatomy and Physiology I * | 3 |
| BIO 161L | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab * | 1 |
| COMM 101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| HPR 225 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Spring
| BIO 162 | Anatomy and Physiology II * | 3 |
| BIO 162L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| HPR 215 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HPR 230 | Community Health | 3 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three - Fall
| HPR 240 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| HPR 301 | Health/Fitness Program Management | 3 |
| LA 250 | Legal Aspects of Health Care | 3 |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| HPR 330 | Designing Public Health Programs | 3 |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) health and human performance activity elective | |
| | One (1) elective - HPR 335 Current Topics in Public Health recommended | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four - Fall
| HPR 210 | First Aid and Safety | 1 |
| HPR 308 | Global Health and Culture | 3 |
| HPR 340 | Nutrition for Optimal Health | 3 |
| HPR 410 | Anatomical Kinesiology | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Four - Spring
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core Requirements. See the
Liberal Arts Core and
Course Descriptions for further information.