NECC’s Associate Degree in Public Health will provide you with classroom theory and field work experience and will prepare you for an entry-level position in the public health field. The program will also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health education, health administration, or environmental health.
Students who pursue the Associate Degree in Public Health will complete most of their course work in an online “hybrid” format. Students will come to the Lawrence Campus one or two evenings per week for in-class meetings. In order to progress in the program, a student must have a “C” in all courses to move to the next level and graduate.
A minimum of 68 credits is required for graduation.
Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
Additional Admission Criteria and Information
Please find additional information here: Required Forms/Criteria Packets for Health Programs.
CORI/CHRI/SORI
Students interested in participating in this program are required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check, and a Sex Offender Record Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.
Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.
Drug Screening
Students enrolled in this academic program are required to pass a drug screening analysis.
CPR
Students may be required to be CPR Certified at the Health Care Provider/ Professional Rescuer level prior to the start of clinical courses.
Health
Students are required to complete a health evaluation, including the Hepatitis B immunization series, prior to final acceptance to the program.
Student Professional Liability Insurance
Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. The premium is to be paid at the time of course registration.
Requirements
| BIO115 | Physiological Chemistry | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO122 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| BIO220 | Microbiology | 4 | Information Literacy Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| CHW100 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 | |
| CHW101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 | |
| CHW103 | Health Education | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| CHW202 | Introduction to Public Health Administration | 3 | |
| CHW203 | Exploring Public Health Informatics | 3 | |
| CHW204 | Environmental Health | 3 | |
| CHW206 | Prevention and Community Health | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| CHW208 | Public Health Preparedness | 3 | Written Communication Intensive |
| CHW290 | Public Health Practicum/Seminar | 3 | |
| HES102 | Learning Strategies for Success in Healthcare Careers | 3 | |
| MAT125 | Statistics | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PHI101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| SOC101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Elective Advice:
Humanities Elective: Foreign Language recommended (except ESL courses) and must meet Global Awareness Intensive
Schedule Tips: CHW100, CHW202, CHW204 offered FALL ONLY; CHW103, CHW206, CHW208, CHW290 offered SPRING ONLY
Courses with Prerequisites: BIO121, BIO122, BIO220, ENG102, CHW101, CHW206, CHW290, MAT125, PSY101, PHI101, SOC101
Courses with Corequisites: BIO115, CHW100, CHW204, CHW208
Milestone Courses: BIO121, BIO122, CHW100
Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway Public Health Associate Degree
Year 1 Fall
| BIO115 | Physiological Chemistry | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| CHW100 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 | |
| CHW101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| HES102 | Learning Strategies for Success in Healthcare Careers | 3 | |
Year 1 Spring
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| CHW103 | Health Education | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| PHI101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
Year 1 Summer
| BIO122 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| SOC101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Year 2 Fall
| CHW202 | Introduction to Public Health Administration | 3 | |
| CHW203 | Exploring Public Health Informatics | 3 | |
| CHW204 | Environmental Health | 3 | |
| MAT125 | Statistics | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
Year 2 Spring
| BIO220 | Microbiology | 4 | Information Literacy Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| CHW206 | Prevention and Community Health | 3 | Information Literacy Intensive |
| CHW208 | Public Health Preparedness | 3 | Written Communication Intensive |
| CHW290 | Public Health Practicum/Seminar | 3 | |