Public Health

Population Health Option

44 credits

The Population Health option offers two specializations: Community Health and Pre-Professional Health. Students select one of the specializations and complete option and specialization requirements. Population Health graduates work to change policies, environments, attitudes, and behaviors that affect health. The Community Health specialization prepares students for professional careers in community health education, global health, or for graduate programs in public health or health education. The Pre-Professional Health specialization is a flexible track for students intending to pursue advanced study and careers in nursing, physician's assistant, chiropractic, occupational therapy, medical school or other health-related professions.

Students interested in the Population Health option should meet with a Public Health faculty advisor to declare and apply to the major. The review of applications and notification of the results will be made the following semester. If a student is not accepted, they should schedule a consultation with their Public Health faculty advisor. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency and guidance to address them.

Admission Criteria

Overall GPA of 2.5, major GPA of 2.5, and a grade C or higher in PH 101 Health and Wellness is required. For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by Public Health faculty.

Population Health Option Course Requirements

Allied Discipline Requirements

16 credits

BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 332 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
INCHEM 111 General Chemistry
IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking

Allied discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the first year.

Nutrition Option

64 credits

The Nutrition option is currently granted initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. This option provides the basic academic preparation necessary to become a registered dietitian (RD). Certification as an RD is often mandatory for professional positions and requires completion of an approved postgraduate supervised practice program.

Typically, a student who successfully completes the ACEND-approved curriculum, an ACEND-accredited internship or pre-professional practice program, and the registration examination becomes qualified as a health professional responsible for services in areas such as nutrition service-related management, clinical or community dietetics, education, consultation, private practice, and research.

The application process for admission to the Nutrition option occurs during the first semester for freshmen and transfers. Each student should meet with a faculty advisor and take PH 101 Health and Wellness. The review of applicants and notification of the results of this review will be made by the end of that semester. If a student is not accepted, they should schedule a consultation with one or more members of the Public Health Admissions Committee. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency that need to be addressed. Once admitted, the student must officially declare their major through a faculty advisor.

Admission Criteria

Students must have an overall GPA of 2.8. Application for permanent admission to the option is typically completed at the end of the student's first year. After completion of the following courses with an average of B or higher (3.0), students interested in pursuing the Nutrition option must submit an application for permanent admission to the Public Health Nutrition option:

• ISPH 101 Health and Wellness
• INPH 175 Essentials of Nutrition Science
• INCHEM 111 General Chemistry

For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by the Admissions Committee.

Application Process

The application process for admission to the Nutrition option occurs just after grades are finalized in the spring semester. The following steps should be followed by all students interested in applying to the Nutrition option:

• Arrange an appointment with an advisor in the Nutrition option and complete a Declaration of Major form that is then submitted to the Registrar's office.
• Complete the following introductory courses required before the "official" application for permanent admission to the Nutrition option will be considered: PH 101 Health and Wellness, INPH 175 Essentials of Nutrition Science, INCHEM 103 Fundamentals of Chemistry. An overall GPA of 2.8 and an average grade of B or better in those courses previously listed are required for application submission.

If the above criteria are met, applications can be officially submitted for permanent admission to the option. Applications should be submitted to the Nutrition option program director immediately upon completion of the spring semester. Applications need to be postmarked by one week following the last day of final exams in the spring semester. Enrollment in additional Health Science/Nutrition option major courses will not be allowed if application has not been made.

The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made in writing before the start of the fall semester. Students who have met the application criteria will be considered admitted to the option. The overall GPA of these students will then be monitored by their Nutrition option advisor to assure that it remains at the 2.8 or higher level.

Students who are not admitted into the Nutrition option or do not submit application materials to the option by due dates will be deregistered from PH 215 and/or PH 216. These students will be able to adjust their schedule using the online registration process at least 1 week prior to the start of classes. If a student is not permanently accepted into the Nutrition option they should complete the following steps:

• If the student desires to continue to pursue the option, schedule a consultation with their Nutrition option advisor. During this conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency, which need to be addressed.
• If the student does not desire to continue to pursue the Nutrition option, complete a new "Declaration of Major" form removing them from the Nutrition option. If the student does not complete this step, their advisor will notify the Registrar's office to change their major to "undeclared."
• If interested and if deficiencies are addressed, the student can reapply one time at the conclusion of the following fall semester.

Nutrition Option Core Requirements

40 credits

PH 215 Nutrition Science and Application
PH 216 Food Culture and Community Nutrition
PH 225 The Nutrition Profession (2 credits)
PH 240 Microbiology for Health Professionals
PH 310 Food Science
PH 313 Food Service Management
PH 318 Nutrition throughout the Lifespan
PH 414 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (2 credits)
PH 415 Nutritional Biochemistry
PH 416 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
PH 473 Practicum

The following courses are required for ACEND:

Allied Discipline Requirements

24 credits

BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 332 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
INCHEM 111 General Chemistry
CHEM 220 Fundamental Organic Chemistry
IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
MATH 141 Introductory Statistics

Allied Discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the freshman year.

Degree Requirements

120 credits

Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health Option

54 credits

The Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health option at Keene State College is an academic program that provides a foundation for further studies in the fields of addiction or mental health or entry-level employment in addiction. Students will take courses such as brain and behavior, personality, abnormal psychology, alcohol and other drug fundamentals, counseling skills, addiction theory, co-occurring disorders, and complete an internship. This area of study helps prepare students to work in community behavioral health settings limited to pre-professional roles such as mental health workers, entry-level addiction counselors, residential counselors, mental health technicians, research assistants, and other related jobs. In some states, students can prepare for their bachelor’s level licensure in addiction counseling.

Students will learn what is necessary to obtain licensure and certification in mental health and substance use disorders for the state of New Hampshire or where to find this information for other states. At a minimum a Master’s level counseling license in mental health is required to practice outside the limited scope of addiction counseling; in many states it is necessary to obtain a Master’s degree for addiction counseling. In some states, this option may be applied toward becoming a Bachelor’s licensed or certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor. However, this process is pursued separately through the student’s State Bureau of Substance Use Disorder Prevention, and Treatment Services.

The application process for admission to the Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health option should be initiated during the first semester for students intending to major in Public Health and typically completed by the end of the second semester. Each student should meet with a Public Health Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health option faculty advisor and take ISPH 101 Health and Wellness. The review of applications and notification of the results of this review will be made following the second semester. If a student is not accepted, they should schedule a consultation with their faculty advisor. During the conference, the student will be notified of any areas of deficiency that need to be addressed. Once admitted, the student must officially declare their major through a faculty advisor.

Admission Criteria

Overall GPA of 2.5, major GPA of 2.5, and a grade C or higher in ISPH 101 Health and Wellness is required. For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses may be considered if approved by Public Health faculty.

Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health Option Requirements

14 credits

• PH 185 Introduction to Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health (2 credits)
• PH 200 Alcohol and Other Drugs: The Fundamentals
• PH 491 Addiction and Pre-Professional Mental Health Treatment: Critical Issues
• PH 493 Co-Occurring Disorders: Continuum of Care

Allied Discipline Requirements

40 credits

• BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 332 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• INCHEM 111 General Chemistry
• MATH 141 Introductory Statistics
• IHCOMM 171 Public Speaking
• ISPSYC 101 General Psychology
• PSYC 242 Personality
• PSYC 253 Brain and Behavior
• ISPSYC 312 Lifespan Psychology
• PSYC 345 Abnormal Psychology
• Highly recommend PH 473 Practicum

Allied Discipline courses are prerequisites for courses in the major. The BIO sequence should be started in the second semester of the first year.