Are you passionate about advancing equality by making healthcare more accessible to underserved communities? Do you love collaborating with others and working on teams? Is it important to you to be a part of an exciting, dynamic industry with strong employment prospects and a bright economic outlook? Can you envision yourself directing a medical organization, helping to carry out clinical trials, or advising policymakers on disease prevention strategy? If you answered yes to those questions, you may be interested in exploring a career in public health. Since public health officials deal with large, diverse groups and organizations — sometimes, during periods of chaos, tragedy, or crisis — it’s important to possess both empathy and leadership skills, understanding the unique or unmet needs of the population you are serving while providing efficient, research-driven guidance. You will also need exceptional communication and organizational skills as you will be collaborating with vast networks of people, potentially from cultures around the globe. A strong sense of integrity and adherence to ethics is equally vital, as with any medical profession.
The Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer degree incorporates a multi-dimensional approach to health, including the physical, psychological, behavioral, and social aspects. Students will learn about public health from an individual and societal perspective, including risk factors for disease and disability, behavior change skills and strategies, statistical analysis, and public health strategies. The Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in Public Health Science or Health Science at a CSU campus. Students completing the Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept the Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer degree will be required to complete not more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
