The Public Health certificate program provides training that prepares public health workers and others to respond to emerging public health issues. It is intended for current public health employees and high school graduates interested in obtaining knowledge about public health concepts to enhance their ability to successfully improve the health of their community. The curriculum stresses creativity in designing and implementing public health program and projects which are scientifically proven and culturally acceptable.
Mission
The Certificate in Public Health program seeks to prepare students from various background to give competent service by bringing a total health approach at the individual and community level.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Use evidence-based practices to promote community health
- Communicate public health concepts to target populations using appropriate techniques
- Analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate public health interventions
- Collaborate with multiple sectors to strengthen policies and improve practices,
- Demonstrate ethical responsibility and cultural sensitivity as a health care professional
Program Requirements
| Required Courses | 29 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
|
AH 101 |
Essential Public Health Functions and Primary Health Care |
3 Credits |
|
AH 103 |
Introduction to Information Systems for Health Managers |
3 Credits |
|
AH 104 |
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
3 Credits |
|
AH 107 |
Community Health Education |
3 Credits |
|
AH 230 |
Public Health Internship |
3 Credits |
|
ENG 105 |
Fundamentals of Speech |
3 Credits |
|
ENG 111 |
English Composition I |
4 Credits |
|
ICS 101 |
Introduction to Microsoft Office |
3 Credits |
|
MATH 160 |
Elementary Statistics |
4 Credits |
|
Total |
29 Credits |
|
Grade of C or better is required in all required courses in order to graduate
Courses Offered
Allied Health (AH)
AH 101 – Essential Public Health Functions and Primary Care
Prerequisite:
English 090s or Placement in Credit English
Explores the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) including the concept, principles, and components of Primary Health Care (PHC). Includes the fundamental roles of PHC in improving the health of people in the Pacific Island communities. Health disparity reduction is emphasized.
AH 103 – Introduction to Information Systems for Health Managers
Prerequisites:
English 090’s or Placement in Credit, English ICS 101
Introduces basic concept of health information systems management for health managers. Emphasizes the importance of accurate, relevant, timely, and complete data collection, analysis, and reporting for effective decision making in health care.
AH 104 – Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Prerequisite:
ENG 80s or higher English placement
Introduction to health promotion and disease prevention practices. Discusses cultural, social, environmental, and economic issues and influences in disease process and prevention. Explores theories and best practices in health promotion and disease prevention.
AH 105 – First Aid and CPR
Prepares students to give first aid, including CPR, at the site of injury or sudden illness. Consideration will be given to such situations as falls, fires, explosions, poisonings, electrical accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other accidents. Emphasis will be placed on safety measures to prevent injury as well as to prevent complications for the injured person.
AH 107 – Community Health Education
Prerequisites:
English 090’s or Placement in Credit, and ICS 101
Introduction to community health education techniques using practical skills in the area of oral communication, media writing, and the construction and utilization of audio-visual materials. Emphasis is given to the importance of using audience appropriate communication methods.
AH 114 – Nutrition
Prerequisite:
C or better in ENG 101
Presents basic nutrition concepts and their application in planning nutritional meals for persons of various age groups. Consideration is given to physiological, economic, psychological, geographic, and cultural factors of food acceptance and availability. Special and therapeutic diets and their rationale are studied.
AH 195 – Personal Health and Wellness
Prerequisite:
ENG 080s level or Placement in higher level English
An introduction to the principles and practices positively affecting individual levels of wellness, hygiene, and physical fitness as related to self-care. Materials will be delivered through a seminar series from health and wellness professionals in the community. A 12 hour physical activity lab is also required.
AH 230 – Public Health Internship
Prerequisites:
C or better in ENG 101, ENG 105, ICS 101, AH 101 and AH 104
Provides the opportunity to integrate classroom learning and practice in a public health care setting and related work environment. Participants contribute to a community’s resources and learn to address a public health issue while developing personal and professional confidence and skills.
AH 199/299 Special Topics
Courses ending in –99 are not described in the catalog. They represent courses taught as occasion demands and/or an instructor is available. In such cases, an approved course outline and syllabus are required.
Nursing (NURS)
NURS 101 – Math for Nurses (3 Credits)
Prerequisites:
ENG 90s or Placement in Credit English and MATH 90s or Placement in Credit Math
Introduces a variety of problem solving techniques that are useful for applications in nursing and allied health fields. Includes calculations of drug dosages and intravenous flow rates. Reviews basic arithmetic operations. Introduces the apothecary and metric systems of measurements, as well as conversions between the two systems, and basic statistics.
NURS 102 – Medical Terminology and Abbreviations
Prerequisite:
ENG 90s or placement in Credit English
Introduces medical terms used in nursing and allied health fields. Origin of root words will be explored. Root word, prefixes, and suffixes of medical terms will be identified.
NURS 110 – Fundamentals of Nursing
Prerequisites:
SCI 210 or concurrent with SCI 210
Introduces students to the conceptual framework of nursing practice. Provides skills needed in performing basic therapeutic interventions for individuals with common health alterations. Obtains nursing skills provided by demonstration and simulation in the nursing labs and in the clinic practice setting.
NURS 113 – Pharmacology
Prerequisite:
Math 90s or Placement in Credit, Math, SCI 210, SCI 230
Introduction to pharmacological agents, their sources, actions, uses, side effects, and metabolism within the body. Reviews system of measurement and dosage calculation. Includes nursing actions relative to safe drug administration and control.
NURS 122 – Nursing of Adults I
Prerequisite:
“C” or better in NURS 110
Focuses on nursing care of hospitalized young and middle-aged adults in the acute and perioperative health care settings. Includes normal and pathological functions of body systems and structures. Emphasizes care of acute, non-critical conditions in young adults. Includes classroom instruction and clinical practicum.
NURS 204 – Communicable Diseases
Prerequisite:
C or better in NURS 122
Examines communicable diseases in depth. Explores the theories and best practices in disease prevention. Discussion of issues and influences of the health care system in disease process and prevention.
NURS 222 – Nursing of Adults II
Prerequisite:
C or better in NURS 122
Examines the care of adults, primarily the elderly, the critically ill, and those with compromised self-care ability. Focuses on the changes of aging and diseases and the management of persons experiencing loss of one or more bodily functions. Introduces students to key components of rehabilitation nursing including the care and treatment of persons with maladaptive psychosocial behavior.
NURS 235 – Family Health
Prerequisite:
“C” or better in NURS 110
Focus on family centered care of the pregnant woman from conception to delivery and the care of the child from neonate to adolescent. Includes the care of the high-risk mothers, infants and children with emphasis on the Micronesian culture. Reviews growth and developmental theories as a basis for care during health and illness.
NURS 256 – Community and Mental Health Nursing
Prerequisite:
“C” or better in NURS 122
Examines nursing care directed toward clients of all ages in a wide variety of settings. Includes health education, maintenance, restoration, coordination, management, and evaluation of care of individuals, families, and aggregates, including communities. Explores the theories of personality, human interaction and communication, normal and abnormal psychosocial adaptation, and the care and treatment of persons with maladaptive psychosocial behavior.
NURS 260 – Senior Nursing Seminar
Prerequisite:
NURS 122
Discusses specific nursing care and issues in greater depth. Integrates the nursing process in case study reviews focusing on the disease process. Introduces the nursing management process, trends, and issues in nursing.
NURS 199/299 Special Topics
Courses ending in –99 are not described in the Catalog. They represent courses taught as occasion demands and/or an instructor is available. In such cases, an approved course outline and syllabus are required.
