Fall Term Suggested Courses: Public Health: Health Services Administration

Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the 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.

General suggestions:

Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. 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. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.

REGISTRATION ISSUES:

We hope everything goes smoothly for your registration, but here are solutions to some common issues:

Registration error is "pre-requisites have not been met:" To request an override, email your advisor an unofficial transcript as proof that the pre-requisite has been completed or set up an appointment.
If the issue is with a Math/Statistics course, review the Math Department website for advice.
Class is full. Add yourself to the waitlist, if available.
HE251 from PCC is the equivalent of PHE250. HE250 IS NOT equivalent.

First-Year Students:

For BA degree	For BS degree	Advisor Pro-Tips
UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits)	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.
Language course (4-5 credits)	Science course (4-5 credits)	Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits)	PHE 250 Our Community, Our Health (4 credits)

Additional alternatives: MTH 095, STAT 243Z, or consider a Fall 2025 Math Start Program course based on placement. (STAT 243Z is a major requirement for both the BA and BS). BA 101 or any Exploratory course that you find interesting.

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 30-89 credits:

For BA degree	For BS degree	Advisor Pro-Tips
UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)	UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits)	Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you.
Language course or STAT 243Z* (4-5 credits)	STAT 243Z* (4-5 credits)	Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice. Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you place in MTH 095, take that now and STAT 243Z next term. If you have completed Science and STAT, take BA 306U or EC 316U instead.
PHE 320U Health Ethics, BA 306U Essentials of Finance OR EC 316U Intro to Health Care Economics (4 credits)	PHE 320U Health Ethics, BA 306U Essentials of Finance OR EC 316U Intro to Health Care Economics (4 credits)	If you have not completed PHE 250, take that. HE251 from PCC is the equivalent of PHE 250. HE250 IS NOT equivalent.
PHE 225 Finding Your Path in Public Health (1 credit)	PHE 225 Finding Your Path in Public Health (1 credit)

*STAT 243Z is a major requirement for both the BA and BS.

Additional alternatives: BA 101, PHE 300/400-level electives (PHE 350, 363, 450 and 452U require 90 or more credits). See Advising Checklist for course options.

Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs

Transfers with 90 or more credits:

Review courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed. If you are transferring in with 135 or more credits, you do not need an Upper Division Cluster. We also strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.

For BA degree	For BS degree	Advisor Pro-Tips
Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)	Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits)	Remember that you cannot use any major courses to fulfill your cluster. If you are completing a minor, those courses can be applied to the cluster.
Language course or STAT 243Z* (4-5 credits)	STAT 243Z* (4-5 credits)	Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice, if not completed. Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you place in MTH 095, take that now and STAT 243Z next term. If you have completed Science and STAT, take BA 306U or EC 316U instead.
PHE 320U Health Ethics OR PHE 350 Health & Health Systems (4 credits)	PHE 320U Health Ethics OR PHE 350 Health & Health Systems (4 credits)	If you have not completed PHE 250, take that. HE251 from PCC is the equivalent of PHE 250. HE250 IS NOT equivalent.
PHE 225 Finding Your Path in Public Health (1 credit)	PHE 225 Finding Your Path in Public Health (1 credit)

*STAT 243Z is a major requirement for both the BA and BS.

Additional alternatives: BA 101, PHE 350, 363, 450, 452U (required core), PHE 478. See Advising Checklist for course options.

Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses

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