Public Health, Associate in Science for Transfer
The Associate in Science for Transfer in Public Health degree (AS-T in Public Health) is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for upper-division studies in health-related majors. This program offers comprehensive training in social, behavioral, and biological sciences as they pertain to public health. Students will explore various career pathways within the public health field, including roles in health education, health agencies, medical centers, long-term care facilities, and both private and public health organizations, as well as local, state, and federal health departments. Public health professionals are dedicated to tracking disease outbreaks, reducing health disparities, and advocating for healthcare equity and accessibility. They also work to prevent health issues by implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services, and conducting research.
This 60-unit degree fulfills the lower-division coursework requirements for transfer to California State University (CSU) institutions for majors such as Health Science, Public Health, Kinesiology, and Collaborative Health and Human Services, positioning students to pursue a baccalaureate degree and make a meaningful impact in the field of public health. Students must complete the Associate Degree for Transfer requirements to earn the AS-T degree.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Evaluate current health conditions among vulnerable populations, analyze disparities in health outcomes within these populations, and identify evidence-informed interventions to reduce the disease burden and improve health outcomes to maximize health and wellness.
- Effectively create and communicate strategies or tactics to improve health inequalities, such as advocacy, community organizing, and/or policy change.
- Identify, evaluate, utilize, and articulate credible information resources on personal and public health issues from multiple sources, including social media, media outlets, popular texts, and scientific literature.
Associate in Science for Transfer Degree Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| BIOL 10 | Principles of Biology | 4-5 |
| or BIOL 21 | Concepts in Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Organisms | |
| or BIOL 22 | Concepts in Biology II: Diversity, Ecology, and Evolution | |
| HLTH 1 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| HLTH 4 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| HLTH 12 | Health and Social Justice | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| or PSYC/SOCI 19 | Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences | |
| List A | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
| Human Anatomy with Cadaver Lab | ||
| Applied Microbiology Lecture and Applied Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Human Physiology and Human Physiology Lab | ||
| List B | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Women's Health | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| TOTAL MAJOR UNITS | 24-26 | |
| Additional Requirements | 34-36 | |
| Complete Cal-GETC pattern and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 transferable units. | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
Please refer to the program requirements section of the Catalog for information about associate degree requirements and certificate requirements including Information Competency, and General Education requirements.
The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.
Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences or Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences | 4 |
| HLTH 1 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| Cal-GETC Area 3B (US-1 Recommended) | 3 | |
| Electives (LIBR 50 or COUN 10 Recommended) | 2 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 10 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| HLTH 4 | Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| ENGL C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| CHEM 2 or CHEM 1A | Fundamental Chemistry or General Chemistry I | 4-5 |
| Elective | 0-1 | |
| Units | 14-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYC C1000 or SOCI 1 | Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| Major List A | 4 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 3A | 3 | |
| Cal-GETC Area 6 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HLTH 12 | Health and Social Justice | 3 |
| Cal-GETC Area 4 (US-2 & US-3 Recommended) | 3 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
MPC transfer programs are designed to enable students to complete lower-division requirements in preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution.
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to California State University (CSU) system for any community college student who earns an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), although not to a particular campus or major. Upon transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T), students will be required to complete no more than 60 upper-division units to earn a bachelor’s degree in a same or similar major (unless designated as a “high-unit” major).
The following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements must be completed to earn the AA-T or AS-T degree:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units;
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework (while a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA);
- Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units as detailed in the Major Requirements;
- Completion of all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis);
- Certified completion of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss transfer pathways and specific university admission requirements. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.