Public Health
AS-T Health Sciences · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Associate in Science in Public Health for Transfer, also called the Public Health AS-T degree, introduces students to the core principles and methodologies used in the study of public health. Students will acquire the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue post-secondary degrees in public health or related fields. This degree provides an understanding of population health, disease prevention, and the promotion of health equity. This degree requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of Cal-GETC and 23-25 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students must earn a “C” (or "P") or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. There are no additional graduation requirements. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:
- Explain the core functions of public health, including disease prevention, health promotion, and population health protection, by integrating knowledge from biological, psychological, and social sciences.
- Utilize statistical methods and public health research techniques to collect, interpret, and analyze health data for informed decision-making in public health initiatives.
- Assess and address health issues within diverse populations, taking into account the influence of socioeconomic status, cultural values, environmental factors, and social determinants of health.
- Design, implement, and evaluate public health programs aimed at disease prevention, health promotion, and community wellness, demonstrating knowledge of program planning and outcome assessment.
- Apply culturally competent communication strategies and practices when engaging with individuals and communities to promote health equity and foster inclusive public health practices.
- Exhibit readiness for successful transfer to a CSU public health or health science program, demonstrating a solid foundation in public health principles and analytical skills.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| KINE 010 | Personal & Community Health | 3 |
| HS 073 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| SOC 003 | Fundamentals of Statistics | 3-4 |
| orSTAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orBUMA 003 | Business Statistics | |
| BI 004 | Elements of Biology | 4 |
| CH 003 | Introductory General Chemistry | 4-9 |
| orCH 001A | General Chemistry I | |
| orBI 013 & BI 014 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Iand Human Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| HS 075 | Cultural Competence in Health and Social Services | 3 |
| PSY 012 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| Required Subtotal | 23-29 | |
| Cal-GETC | 34 | |
| Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units) | ||
| Degree Total | 60 | |
- Units for the major may be double counted for Cal-GETC, confer with a Counselor.
- Elective units to reach 60 unit total must be CSU transferable, confer with a Counselor.