Public Health, Associate in Science

NECC’s Associate Degree in Public Health will provide you with classroom theory and field work experience and will prepare you for an entry-level position in the public health field. The program will also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health education, health administration, or environmental health.

Students who pursue the Associate Degree in Public Health will complete most of their course work in an online “hybrid” format. Students will come to the Lawrence Campus one or two evenings per week for in-class meetings. In order to progress in the program, a student must have a “C” in all courses to move to the next level and graduate.

A minimum of 68 credits is required for graduation.

Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.  Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

Additional Admission Criteria and Information

Please find additional information here: Required Forms/Criteria Packets for Health Programs.

CORI/CHRI/SORI

Students interested in participating in this program are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check, and a Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.

Drug Screening

Students enrolled in this academic program are required to pass a drug screening analysis.

CPR

Students may be required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider/ Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses.

Health

Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including the Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to final acceptance to the program.

Student Professional Liability Insurance

Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.

Requirements

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO115Physiological Chemistry

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

BIO121Anatomy & Physiology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

BIO122Anatomy & Physiology II

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

BIO220Microbiology

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

CHW100Personal Health and Wellness

3

CHW101Introduction to Public Health

3

CHW102Health Communications

3

CHW103Health Education

3

Public Presentation Intensive

CHW202Introduction to Public Health Administration

3

CHW204Environmental Health

3

CHW206Prevention and Community Health

3

Information Literacy Intensive

CHW208Public Health Preparedness

3

Written Communication Intensive

CHW290Public Health Practicum/Seminar

3

HES102Learning Strategies for Success in Healthcare Careers

3

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

PHI101Introduction to Philosophy

3

SOC101Introduction to Sociology

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Elective Advice:
Humanities Elective: Foreign Language recommended (except ESL courses) and must meet Global Awareness Intensive

Schedule Tips: CHW100, CHW202, CHW204 offered FALL ONLY; CHW102, CHW103, CHW206, CHW208, CHW290 offered SPRING ONLY

Courses with PrerequisitesBIO121, BIO122, BIO220, ENG102, CHW101, CHW206, CHW290, MAT125, PSY101, PHI101, SOC101

Courses with CorequisitesBIO115, CHW100, CHW102, CHW204, CHW208

Milestone Courses: BIO121, BIO122, CHW100

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway Public Health Associate Degree

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO115Physiological Chemistry

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHW100Personal Health and Wellness

3

CHW101Introduction to Public Health

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

HES102Learning Strategies for Success in Healthcare Careers

3

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO121Anatomy & Physiology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHW102Health Communications

3

CHW103Health Education

3

Public Presentation Intensive

ENG102English Composition II

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

Year 1 Summer

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO122Anatomy & Physiology II

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

SOC101Introduction to Sociology

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
CHW202Introduction to Public Health Administration

3

CHW204Environmental Health

3

PHI101Introduction to Philosophy

3

MAT125Statistics

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO220Microbiology

4

Information Literacy Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

CHW206Prevention and Community Health

3

Information Literacy Intensive

CHW208Public Health Preparedness

3

Written Communication Intensive

CHW290Public Health Practicum/Seminar

3

Total Credit Hours: 68