People interested in assisting individuals and communities live healthier, happier lives choose Public Health as a major. Public Health Specialists work with groups of people, usually in a community setting, promoting physical activity, protecting and preserving health. The Public Health Educator then works as a catalyst to assist the individual or community to modify and enhance lifestyles to promote health and prevent disease. Public Health Specialists are interested in developing community-based education programs that promote healthy lifestyles that help prevent disease.
In preparation towards becoming a Public Health Specialist, students will learn skills that will enable them to assist communities and individuals in achieving their goal of a healthy lifestyle and risk management reduction. These skills then become the tools to aid in the healthy lifestyle changing process. Skills taught include assessing individual/community needs and assets; planning, implementing, and administering health education programs; evaluating the effectiveness of health education programs; and facilitating/understanding group dynamics and individuals across the lifespan.
The curriculum is designed following the Council on Education for Public Health Foundational Knowledge Areas and Competencies. In addition, the coursework assures that graduates have the needed areas of responsibilities and specific competencies to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). The Public Health program is designed to provide advanced areas of study dependent on the individual’s unique needs and interests. Students in Public Health may sit for one of the following certification exams: CHES, CPH, or other approved certifications
All Public Health majors must select a specific concentration from the following: Community and Public Health, Nonprofit Administration, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or Pre-Physical Therapy.
The concentration in Pre-Occupational Therapy is for students utilizing Public Health as the baccalaureate degree major for fulfilling prerequisite requirements for admission to the LSU School of Allied Health Professions Occupation Therapy program at the LSUHS campus. Within the concentration, there is the potential to meet the requirements for the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist Exam by completing additional coursework.