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Healthcare Navigator Concentration

Public Health Education, BS

Empowering Tomorrow's Healthcare Navigators

The Healthcare Navigator concentration is a cutting-edge program tailored for those passionate about making a significant impact in the healthcare sector. Designed in collaboration with experts from the College of Nursing & Health Science and the Department of Psychology & Family Science, this track equips students with both the foundational knowledge of public health and specialized skills essential for today's healthcare environment. Dive deep into core Public Health Education courses, while also exploring electives such as patient education, health insurance navigation, and health information technology. By merging traditional public health principles with specialized healthcare electives, students are prepared to seamlessly navigate multidisciplinary healthcare settings, advocating for community health with unparalleled expertise. Join us and shape the future of healthcare!

Public Health for non-majors: Public Health Minor

A woman helps a patient with paperwork, both are wearing facemasks.

BS or BAS?

The Department of Health & Kinesiology offers both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree for our Public Health Education programs. Which is right for you? It depends on where you are in your career.

For students entering as Freshmen, or transferring to the university with Academic credits from a community college, university, or early college high school, the Bachelor of Science (BS) program is right for you.

For students transferring to the university with Career or Technical credits and a AAS degree from a community college, the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program will allow you to use your technical credits toward a bachelor degree.

Public Health Education, BS - Healthcare Navigator Concentration Curriculum

This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.

General Education Curriculum

In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.

The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.

All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Cultural Literacy
  • Quantitative & Technology Skills
  • Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
  • Life-Long Learning

View General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the following courses in their academic program:

  • 8 semester hours of Laboratory Science
  • 3 semester hours of Mathematics MA 113 (or higher)
  • 6 semester hours of Science and/or Mathematics
  • 3 semester hours of additional mathematics above MA 113 or computer applications/programming course

A total of 20 hours is required, and students may not double count credit hours in the above categories.

Public Health Education Core Courses

  • HED 240 - Introduction to Public Health
  • HED 241 - Biostatistics for Public Health
  • HED 250 - Professional Foundations of Public Health Education
  • HED 310 - Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior and Social Science
  • HED 314 - Principles of Epidemiology
  • HED 350 - Public Health Interventions
  • HED 355 - Planning and Evaluation Models in Public Health
  • HED 405 - Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities
  • HED 450 - Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Public Health

Choose one of the following:

  • HED 498 - Internship in Public Health Education
    or
  • HED 499 - Research in Public Health Education

Required Healthcare Navigator Concentration Electives: (21 Semester Hours)

  • PSY 206 - Human Growth and Development
  • NU 204 - Healthcare Ethics Across the Lifespan
  • NU 291 - Medical Terminology for the Health Professions
  • HED 199 - Navigating Health Insurance and Managed Care
  • MIS 340 - Health Care Information Technology

Choose one of the following:

  • HED 260 - Patient Education
    or
  • HED 270 - Health & Wellness Counseling and Education

Choose one chronic disease elective:

  • HED 301 - Aging and Public Health
  • HED 316 - Chronic Disease and Public Health
  • FN 345 - Nutrition & Chronic Disease

Total Hours Required for a BS in Public Health Education, Healthcare Navigator Concentration: 120 Semester Hours