Academic Catalogs

Public Health Science, Associate in Science Degree for Transfer (AS-T)

Banner Code: 1_AST_HLTH

Control Number: 35503

Financial Aid Eligible


Students graduating with an Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Public Health Science AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

The Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer focuses on an understanding of the health of populations. This degree is designed to prepare students in the study of public health science and provide comprehensive preparation for upper-division work. Students choosing this degree program will study a range of topics related to human health and disease including: core functions and disciplines of public health; human anatomy and physiology; diseases and their causes, including risk factor; distributions of diseases; primary prevention strategies; and behavior-change theory and application. Students will be gain understanding of the biopsychosocial basis for health and healthy populations. Further they will be able to understand and assess the burden of disease on the health of populations, including the impact of environmental exposures; use of data to support evidence based practices; develop and deliver health programs and interventions that are based on behavior frameworks; and evaluate health programs and initiatives for effectiveness. Public Health Science bridges the gap between scientific discoveries and the application of this knowledge to improve the quality of life.

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to assess the burden of disease on the health of populations, including the impact of environmental exposures and use data to support evidence based practices.
  2. Students will be able to develop and deliver health programs and interventions that are based on behavior frameworks, and evaluate health programs and initiatives for effectiveness.
  3. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence at OCC.
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
PUBH A100Personal Health3
PUBH A200Introduction to Public Health3
MATH A160Introduction to Statistics4
or PSYC A160 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
BIOL A100/A100HPrinciples of Biology4
CHEM A180General Chemistry A5
PSYC A100/A100HIntroduction to Psychology3
BIOL A220Human Anatomy5
BIOL A225Human Physiology5
List A
Select one of the following:3
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Nutrition
Principles of Human Sexuality 1
Drugs, Health, and Society
Health and Social Justice
Introduction to Sociology
Program Major Units35
CSU or IGETC for CSU37-39
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60

Program Sequence - CSU

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PUBH A200 Introduction to Public Health 3
PSYC A100
Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology Honors
3
BIOL A100
Principles of Biology
or Principles of Biology Honors
4
CSU GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units13
Semester 2
MATH A160
Introduction to Statistics
or Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
4
PUBH A100 Personal Health 3
CSU GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA A3 - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
 Units13-14
Summer
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876 1
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
CHEM A180 General Chemistry A 5
BIOL A220 Human Anatomy 5
CSU GE AREA F - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
 Units16
Semester 2
PSCI A180
American Government 1
or American Government Honors
3
BIOL A225 Human Physiology 5
CSU GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA C1 OR C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 2 1
 Units15
 Total Units60-61
1

American Ideals Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement

2

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PUBH A200 Introduction to Public Health 3
PSYC A100
Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology Honors
3
BIOL A100
Principles of Biology
or Principles of Biology Honors
4
IGETC GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units13
Semester 2
PUBH A100 Personal Health 3
MATH A160
Introduction to Statistics
or Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
4
IGETC GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 1C - CHOOSE ONE or LOTE: Foreign Language 1 3-5
 Units13-16
Summer
PSCI A180
American Government 2
or American Government Honors
3
IGETC GE AREA 3A OR 3B - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units6
Year 2
Semester 1
CHEM A180 General Chemistry A 5
BIOL A220 Human Anatomy 5
IGETC GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT List A - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
 Units16
Semester 2
BIOL A225 Human Physiology 5
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876 3
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
IGETC GE AREA 3A - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 4 1
 Units12
 Total Units60-63
1

IGETC GE Area 1C- CSU Requirement; LOTE Requirement for UC only. If met LOTE through HS or not transferring to CSU then take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units

2

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 4

3

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 3B and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 3B

4

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS