Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

Bachelor of Arts - Major Course Requirements

Official Public Health Major Curriculum

The College of Public Health Curriculum encompasses the University of Arizona general education and foundation curriculum, major foundational courses, major core and emphasis courses, as well as a senior year hands-on experiential learning course component. Students should speak with their academic advisor for information on course pre-requisites, course sequencing, and other course information.

Major Core Courses
Grade of C or higher required

Course NumberTitleUnits
HPS 178Personal Health and Wellness3
HPS 200Introduction to Public Health3
PHP 210Later Life Health and Wellbeing Across Populations3
PHP 322Health Education and Ethical Leadership3
HPS 403Applications in Health Promotion: Behavioral Theories 3
HPS 404Fundamentals of Evaluation3
HPS 405Biology in Public Health3
EHS 425A Public Health Lens to Climate Change 
(Required with the Fall 2025 admit class)
3

Major Requirements
Grade of C or higher required
 

Course NumberTitleUnits

Biostatistics:

  • BIOS 216
  • BIOS 376

 (CHOOSE ONE):

  • Understanding Our Health Through Data (available Spring 2025)
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
3

Communication Skills:

  • COMM 101
  • COMM 114
  • COMM 117
  • COMM 119
  • COMM 201
  • COMM 209
  • COMM 314
  • GHI 414

 (CHOOSE ONE):

  • Introduction to the Study of Communication
  • Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
  • Culture and Communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Introduction to Public Relations
  • Introduction to Communication Technology
  • Creative Professional Communication
  • Intercultural Communication for Health Sciences
3

Applied Practice Requirements
Complete 6 Units; grades S/P required (must have Advanced Standing to enroll in the below courses):

Course NumberTitleUnits
After Spring 2026:
HPS 497E
HPS 394
Practicum - Public Health for Community Wellness (7W1)
Practicum - Prep for Field Work (7W2)
3
3
Prior to Spring 2026
HPS 394Practicum1-6
HPS 394BIntroduction to Sleep Health Coaching 3
HPS 497EPublic Health for Community Wellness2
HPS 497FCommunity and School Garden Workshop2-6
HPS 497L Public Health for School and Community Based Childhood Obesity Prevention 2

Complete 3 units; grades S/P required (must have declared an emphasis and have department consent to enroll):

Course Number      Title                  Units
HPS 493A Field Work in Public Health 3

Emphasis Courses

  • Select one Emphasis Option
  • Minimum 15 units; 2.0 or higher GPA required
View an Updated List of Spring 2026 Emphasis Offerings Below

Select any 15 units from the following courses to complete the Aging and Population Health emphasis:
Course NumberTitleDayTimeLocationUnits
PHP 301Introduction to Gerontology15WFully Online 3
PHP 305Public Health in the Digital Age 15WFully Online  3
PHP 312Health Promotion and Well-being in Later Life    3
HPS 412Public Health Approaches to Mental Health Disorders in the UST & TH9:30am - 10:45amHSIB 5323
HDFS 413Issues in AgingSec 01: T & TH
Sec 101: 7W1
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Fully Online
McClelland Park Rm 1033
PHP 419Alzheimer's Disease, Other Dementias and the Role of Public Health   3
PHP 424Optimizing Well-being and Resilience in Older Adults   3
EHS 428Indigenous research and Ethics   3
PHP 436Aging, Environment and Well-being   3
PHP 437Management and Leadership in Long-term Care (discont. fall 2026)15WFully Online 3
PHP 437AManagement and Leadership in Long-term Care I (fall 26 and beyond)    
PHP 437BManagement and Leadership in Long-term Care II (fall 26 and beyond)    
EPID 454AHealthy Aging in Action I   3
EPID 454BHealthy Aging in Action II   3
PHPM 458Health Care MarketingSec 101: 7W1
Sec 102: 7W2
Fully Online
Fully Online
 3
 

Complete 6 required units (HPS 350 and HPS 481)** and 9 additional units to complete the Health Education emphasis:
Course NumberTitleDay Time Location Units
HPS 350**Principles of Health Education and Health Promotion**Sec 01: M & W
Sec 101: 7W2 
2:30pm - 3:45pm
Fully Online
 HSIB 5313
HPS 481**Health Education Intervention Methods**T & TH9:30am - 10:45amGould-Simpson RM 9313
HPS 300Public Health in the 21st Century   3
HPS/GHI 302Introduction to Program Evaluation in Global Health7W1Fully Online 3
PHP 305Public Health in the Digital Age15WFully Online 3
HPS 306Drugs and SocietySec 01: T & TH 11:00am - 12:15amHSIB 532  3
PHP 308Community Health Education for Disease Outbreaks7W1Fully Online 3
HPS 311Childhood ObesityT & TH1:00pm - 2:15pmDrachman A1163
HPS 330Human SexualityT & TH2:00pm - 3:15pmHarshbarger RM 108C3
HPS 400Contemporary Community Health Problems   3
HPS 412Public Health Approaches to Mental Health Disorders in the UST & TH9:30am - 10:45amHSIB 5323
HPS 449Family ViolenceM1:00pm - 3:50pmDrachman A1203
PHPM 458Health Care MarketingSec 101: 7W1
Sec 102: 7W2
Fully Online
Fully Online
 3
HPS 488Adolescent HealthTH9:00am- 11:50amDrachman Hall RM A1223

​Select any 15 units from the following courses to complete the Health and Wellness emphasis:
Course NumberTitleDayTimeLocationUnits
PHP 308Community Health Education for Disease Outbreaks7W1Fully Online 3
HPS 311Childhood Obesity   3
NSC 312Weight Stigma, Nutrition & Health15WFully Online 3
NSC 320Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health PromotionSec 01: T & TH
Sec 102: 7W2
9:30am - 10:45am
Fully Online
The Commons RM 3103
GHI 325Dietary Assessment in Public Health Practice   3
NSC 332Health Coaching7W1Fully Online 3
CPH 402Climate and Health   3
HPS 402Corporate Wellness   3
HPS 412Public Health Approaches to Mental Health Disorders in the UST & TH9:30am- 10:45amHSIB 5323
HPS 416The World’s Food and Health   3
PHP 424Optimizing Well-being and Resilience in Older Adults   3
HPS/PHPM 425Latino Health Disparities   3
EHS 428Indigenous Research and Ethics   3
PHPM 458Health Care MarketingSec 101: 7W1
Sec 102: 7W2
Fully Online
Fully Online
 3
HPS 478Public Health NutritionSec 001: M & W
Sec 101: 7W1
4:00pm- 5:15pm
Fully Online
Drachman Hall RM A1183
HPS 488Adolescent HealthTH9:00am- 11:50amDrachman Hall RM A1223

Upper Division Electives and Additional Requirements

Additional Curriculum Information & Requirements

  • General Electives may be required in order to reach the 120 units necessary to graduate from the University of Arizona with your Bachelor of Arts Degree. 
    • Pursuing a minor is often recommended

A minor will be required for all students admitted Fall 2025 and later. Prior to this a minor is encouraged to help students to reach the required 120 units for graduation. Students are able to choose from any minor across campus, as well as the following Public Health Minors:

  • Addiction and Substance Use 
  • Climate Change and Public Health
  • Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Global Health
  • One Health
  • Public Health (HPS 178 & 200 are the required courses to double dip)
  • Population Health Data Science (BIOS 376 is required to double dip)

Note: BA students can double dip up to 6 units of their major curriculum with their PH minor.