Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the registration guides below for suggestions, and connect with an academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email hse.advising@pdx.edu, if you have quick questions or need reassurance about your schedule.
If you are pursuing nursing, dental hygiene, occupational therapy, or radiation therapy track, view the guide for those programs instead.
General suggestions:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. Labs also are an additional 1-2 credits. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
- You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health Studies, but only the BS requirements are listed here. If you choose to earn a BA degree, consult your advisor. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
- Be sure to review the Pre-Health guide for your track in addition to this guide.
- If you have a lot of transfer courses coming in, you can run a Degree Audit (DARS) to see the courses completed and remaining courses you need to complete to earn your degree. If you need support, email your advisor or set up an appointment.
REGISTRATION ISSUES:
We hope everything goes smoothly for your registration, but here are solutions to some common issues:
- Pre-requisite errors: If you have completed the pre-requisite, email your advisor an unofficial transcript as proof that it has been completed or set up an appointment. Exceptions include:
- Co-requisite error: make sure to add BOTH lecture and labs together (for BI/CH/PH) or mentored inquiry (for UNST) before hitting the submit button.
- Class is full. Add yourself to the waitlist, if available. If you need support with alternate courses and many options are full, email or set-up an appointment with your advisor.
First-Year Students:
If you scored 0-45 on the ALEKS math placement, choose the following:
| Math Placement Score 0-45 | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
UNST 199 Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits) OR MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (4 credits) | If you are not confident in your math ability, or scored below 30, take UNST 199. If you scored 30-45, you may take MTH 111Z + MTH 199. Talk with an advisor about your options. |
| CH 121 Prep Chemistry (4 credits) | CH 221Z requires Math Placement Assessment score of 60 or higher. |
| PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits) or another PHE 200-level | |
If you scored 46-60 on the ALEKS math placement, choose the following:
If you scored 61-100 on the ALEKS math placement, choose the following:
| Math Placement Score 61-100 | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX Freshman Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you or works around your schedule. The purpose behind FRINQ and HON is to give you a well-rounded education and work on your writing/communication skills. |
| CH 221Z/227Z General Chemistry +lab (5 credits) | CH 221Z requires Math Placement Assessment score of 60 or higher. |
| PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits) or another PHE 200-level | |
| BI 221Z Principles of Biology (5 credits)* | *17 credits is heavy courseload for your first term. You can take this later, if you prefer. Concurrent enrollment in CH 221Z/227Z is required. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfer Students:
Your schedule will vary based on if you plan to be full-time (12 credits) or part-time and how your transfer credits apply to your graduation requirements. We recommend choosing the appropriate University Studies course based on your transfer credits as well as courses from the guide for your pre-health track.
| Course | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
UNST or HON (4 credits): - 30-89 credits: UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing
- 90-134 credits: Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing
- 135+ credits: Check with your advisor
| Placement is based on total transfer credits completed prior to when you start at PSU. Check with your advisor, if you are unsure where to begin. Suggested UNST: Understanding Communities, Families & Society, Leading Social Change |
| CH 221Z General Chemistry + CH 227Z lab (5 credits) or CH 121 Prep Chemistry (4 credits) | CH 221Z/227Z requires a minimum score of 60 on the Math Placement Assessment or completion of MTH 111Z. If you do not place into that, take CH 121. Already completed CH 221Z and looking for a heavier course load? Take BI 221Z. If both are completed, choose from your pre-health track. |
| PHE core course (listed below) or other PHE course (4 credits) | |
How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
How to search for Cluster courses
Major Requirements
The following courses are required for the Public Health: Clinical Health Studies core. You should prioritize the science courses needed for your pre-health track, but these are other choices (all courses are 4 credits). Junior standing (90 or more credits) is required to register for all but PHE 250 and STAT 243Z:
PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (HE 251 from PCC is equivalent to PHE 250. HE 250 is not.)
STAT 243Z Intro to Probability & Statistics I
PHE 225 Finding Your Path in Public Health (1 credit)
PHE 350 Health and Health Systems
PHE 363 Communicable and Chronic Disease
PHE 450 Epidemiology (rec. prerequisite: STAT 243 or STAT 243Z)
PHE 452U Gender, Race, Class & Health
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