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Scan the QR code to learn more about the Western Illinois University Department of Health Sciences' renamed bachelor's degree, the bachelor of science degree in public health (BSPH).
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Health Sciences Bachelor's Degree Renamed to Bachelor's in Public Health

March 14, 2013

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MACOMB, IL – The chair of the Western Illinois University Department of Health Sciences is pleased to announce the bachelor of science degree in health sciences at Western has been renamed and will now be the bachelor of science degree in public health (BSPH). According to Mark Kelley, health sciences department chair, the change in the name of the degree reflects incremental changes that have occurred in the curriculum over the past 20 years.

"The bachelor of science degree in public health will retain the existing emphases in community health education and environmental and occupational safety," Kelley explained. "Current students pursuing the bachelor's degree in health sciences interested in switching to the BSPH degree should talk to Stacy Dorsett, the adviser for the degree, to determine the impact of the change on their individual degree paths. Incoming or transferring students interested in the degree should contact the department through our department email address at HealthSciences@wiu.edu," he added.

Consistent with the Associated Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the BSPH provides students with foundational knowledge in the five core areas of public health, including:

  • behavioral sciences/health education;
  • biostatistics;
  • environmental health;
  • epidemiology; and
  • health services administration/management.

In addition to emphases in community health education and environmental and occupational safety, the department also offers courses in several additional common public health discipline areas, including: international/global health; maternal and child health; emergency medical services; public health preparedness; and public health policy.

For more information about the change in degree name, contact Kelley at (309) 298-1076. Students interested in switching to the BSPH can contact Dorsett at (309) 298-1438 or via email at SE-Dorsett@wiu.edu. Learn more about the WIU Department of Health Sciences at wiu.edu/health.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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