Academic Catalogs

Public Health, Certificate of Achievement

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.cccd.edu.

Banner Code: 1_CN_PUBH

Control Number: 39515

Not Financial Aid Eligible


This program will introduce students to health science, including personal health and public health. Students can choose from a variety of courses that will increase their knowledge and understanding of the biopsychosocial model of health, the determinants of health, and how to work towards reducing health disparities across communities. Students will be able to evaluate the burden of disease for a population and analyze global health issues for a social justice perspective. The impact of the environment, socio-economics, politics, and culture on health and health systems are also explored.

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to analyze disparity in health outcomes across populations using evidence-based methods and identify effective intervention strategies.
  2. Students will be able to analyze global health issues and identify the impact of environment, socioeconomics, politics, and culture on health and health systems.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course Title Units
Core Courses
PUBH A100Personal Health3
PUBH A200Introduction to Public Health3
Public Health Restricted Electives
Select a minimum of 9 units.9-10
Drugs, Health, and Society
Health and Social Justice
Peer Health Education Level 1
Navigating the U.S. Health Care System, Health Insurance, Public Assistance, and Benefits Programs
Navigating the U.S. Health Care System, Health Insurance, Public Assistance, and Benefits Programs
Techniques and Topics in Health Education
Techniques and Topics in Health Education
Assessing and Analyzing Health Information
Peer Health Education Level 2
Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Ethnic Groups in the U.S.: Their Histories
Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS
Principles of Biology
Principles of Biology Honors
General Microbiology
Social Science Selection
Select one course.3
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology Honors
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology Honors
Total Units18-19

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PUBH A100 Personal Health 3
PUBH A200 Introduction to Public Health 3
PSYC A100
Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology Honors
or Introduction to Sociology
or Introduction to Sociology Honors
3
 Units9
Semester 2
PUBH RESTRICTED ELECTIVES (See Requirements) 9-10
 Units9-10
 Total Units18-19