Focus Area Requirement

For students in the PHS major, but not in the Global Health concentration.

About The Focus Area Requirement

The focus area allows students to explore areas of personal interest and public health, drawing connections between disciplines. This requirement is your opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary nature of public health. The classes that you choose will enhance your understanding of the field and better prepare you for a career as a public health professional. At least 12 credits are required in this area, at the 300 level or higher. The course material must be relevant to the study of public health, but the classes may be from outside the Public Health major.

Focus Area Proposals must be submitted and approved no later than spring of junior year. Any junior without an approved proposal by March 15th will have a registration hold placed on their account. 

*New for Fall 2023*

As of Fall 2023, students will have the opportunity to learn about, reflect on, and workshop their focus area proposals during their Junior Year Writing course (PUBHLTH 323). Students may also choose to participate in one of the following:

  1. Attend a Focus Area Workshop lead by Peer Advisors. At the end of each workshop, there will be time available to meet with a peer advisor and submit the Focus Area Proposal. Workshops are offered once per fall and once per spring semester.
  2. Drop-in to the Peer Advising Office during their weekly hours to meet with a peer advisor and submit the Focus Area Proposal

Focus area proposals may be submitted after meeting with peer advisors, reflecting in PUBHLTH 323, or attending a workshop. Jesse Hunsicker will review the proposal and reach out with feedback or with approval. Students in the global health concentration have requirements in place of the focus area requirement.

As of Summer 2022 and Later: Chem 261, Chem 262, Chem 269, and Chem 250 cannot be used towards the Focus Area requirement for this major.  We no longer accept any course that is less than 300-level. (This applies to anyone in the major who has not received Focus Area approval yet.)

Ready to submit your Focus Area Proposal? Click this link!