Mapping your Public Health Major

Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your public health major.

The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a public health major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.

Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic advisor. 

Contact

Student Success
301-696-3860
Registrar
301-696-3620
Center for Career Development & Experiential Education
301-696-3583
Department of NursingPublic Health (B.A.)

Please note that sample four year plans are examples. Students, in consultation with their advisor, will discuss an individualized degree plan reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Actual sequences will vary based on course availability, need for developmental coursework, and student preference. For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog at .

Year One

Fall SemesterCredits
PH 101 Intro to Public Health3
FYE 101 First Year Experience- Fall (FYE Core)3
BIOL 138 Hum. Health Mosaic3
ENGL 101/102 English Composition (EC Core)3-4
PHIL 221 Ethics (ETH Core)3
 15-16
Spring SemesterCredits
PH 102 Intro to US Healthcare3
BIOL 112 Food & Nutrition (NS Core)4
FYE 102 First Year Experience- Spring (FYE Core)3
Social & Behavioral Sciences course (SBS Core)3
Elective3
 16

Year Two

Fall SemesterCredits
PH 201 Research Methods3
PH 203 Social Behavioral Aspects3
Global Language 101 (GL Core)3-4
Creative & Performing Arts course (CPA Core)3
Elective3
 15-16
Spring SemesterCredits
PH 202 Biostatistics (QR Core)3
PH 204 Environmental Health3
Global Language 102 (GL Core)3-4
Developing Informed Viewpoints course (DIV Core)3
Elective3
 15-16

Year Three

Fall SemesterCredits
PH 205 Concepts of Disease and Pop3
PH 301 Communication3
Recommended PH Elective3
Humanities course (HU Core)3
Elective3
Holistic Wellness course (HW Core)1
 16
Spring SemesterCredits
PH 302 Epidemiology3
PH 303 Regulatory3
Recommended PH Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Holistic Wellness course (HW Core)1
 16

Year Four

Fall SemesterCredits
PH 445A Capstone Experience*^4
PH 445B Capstone Experience*^2
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 15
Spring SemesterCredits
PH 445A Capstone Experience*^4
PH 445B Capstone Experience*^2
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 15
Total Credits124

Notes:

  • At least a C- must be earned in all required courses to advance in the major.
  • PH 202 Biostatistics meets the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Core Curriculum requirement.
  • PHIL 221 Ethics meets the Ethics (ETH) Core Curriculum requirement.
  • BIOL 112 Food & Nutrition meets the Natural Science (NS) Core Curriculum requirement.
  • *Senior standing, at least a 2.0 overall and major GPA is required for the PH 445/6 Capstone; instructor approval may be given.
  • ^Students can take this in lieu of HOOD 400

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1
  • Explore the major through the Hood College public health website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
  • Visit the and the websites.
  • Take the to learn more about additional areas of career interest.
  • Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.
Year 2
  • Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and consider locations for a public health related internship.
  • Explore club and engagement opportunities related to the public health major.
  • If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest.
Year 3
  • Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either public health or employment related.
  • Meet with staff in the Career Center to identify potential internships, consider competitive national experiences.
Year 4
  • Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either public health or employment related. Be sure to include your research skills.
  • If you have not already completed an internship, enroll in one, or complete a second internship experience, to gain additional work experience and/or college credit.

Engage

Locally and Globally

Year 1
  • Explore club and engagement opportunities related to the public health major.
Year 2
  • Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.
  • Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the public health field.
Year 3
  • Attend Chamber of Commerce industry related events. Speak with a Career Center counselor to learn more about these.
  • Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.
  • Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the field.
  • Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the public health field.
Year 4
  • Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner.
  • Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the public health field.

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1
  • Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about local organizations.
Year 2
  • Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries.
  • Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.
  • If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the job field.
  • Consider taking an exploratory micro-internship in your field of interest.
Year 3
  • Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need interns.
  • Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
  • Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
Year 4
  • Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may be recruiting new hires.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
  • Meet regularly with your academic advisor
  • Work with tutors at the Writing Center
  • Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in public health:

  • Health services administration:
    • Operations
    • Finance
    • Program development
    • Program evaluation
    • Management
    • Material management
    • Human resources
    • Medical staff relations
    • Information technology
    • Marketing
    • Public relations
    • Project management
    • Facilities
    • Patient care services
    • Provider relations
    • Government relations
    • Strategic planning
  • Health policy:
    • Research
    • Analysis
    • Policy development
    • Legislative work
    • Lobbying
  • Hospitals
  • Health systems clinics
  • Medical practice groups
  • Home health agencies
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Mental health facilities
  • Managed care organizations
  • Health finance organizations
  • Insurance companies

Explore more career opportunities in public health:

Are you ready to say Hello?