Department of Public Health
Welcome to Public Health
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of public health has never been more clear. Given the pervasive and systemic health inequities that define the US public health systems (including the health care system), the need to focus on health equity is also clear. The Department of Public Health is committed to training students to tackle the public health challenges of our time by welcome, training, and developing students interested in careers in this fast-growing and critical area.Myriad social determinants influence the health and well-being of populations. Within a framework of social justice, it is imperative that disparities in preventable disease, disability, and death among vulnerable and disadvantaged populations be comprehensively understood and proactively addressed. The Department stresses a critical and progressive approach to identifying root causes of adverse health, and is committed to students engaging in the development of strategies to promote health equity from multiple levels and perspectives and understanding how the issues of health equity are complex and rooted in a foundation of institutional and structual barriers. With a focus on changing the political, organizational, environmental, and community contexts in which adverse health occurs -- particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups -- the Department is confident that its graduates will serve as the change agents for creating healthy communities and opportunities for optimal well-being.
Welcome Message from the Chair
On behalf of the Department of Public Health at California State University East Bay, I am excited to welcome you to the 2024-25 academic year! The Department of Public Health is dedicated to providing you with a strong academic experience, opportunities to work with faculty, and opportunities for experiences both inside and outside the classroom to prepare you for the complex challenges ahead and to contribute to the health of individuals, communities and society. We are a community of students, faculty and staff who look forward to meeting you, helping you thrive and supporting your goals. I invite you to review our programs and meet with our advising team and faculty once you are on campus. Welcome to our public health community! I wish you a productive and fulfilling year ahead!
Dr. Chandrakala Ganesh
Department Chair and Professor of Public Health
Department Name Change
The Department Faculty voted and the Academic Senate approved the change of the Department's name from Health Sciences to Public Health. This change is effective now. We will slowly be transitioning our websites and materials over the coming months. We have changed our name to Department of Public Health to better reflect our mission, values, and to bring our program into alignment with our sister programs in the CSU and with the field.
Public health matters more than ever. The faculty and students in Health Sciences have been focused on population health, health equity, and the climate crisis since 2018. Public health is what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the name of my degree change now?
No, the name change affects on the name of the Department only. Your degree name will not change yet. We will continue to offer a BS in Health Sciences with concentrations in public health and in health policy.
Will the name of the degree change in the future?
Yes. The Department is seeking to offer a BS in Public Health effective in Fall 2022. If approved, the public health concentration will be replaced with a new degree.
What if I am a concentration of public health student now? Can I get a BS in Public Health?
If you graduate after Fall 2022, you should be able to easily move from the concentration to the degree.
What about the other degree pathways?
If you are pursuing the generic BS in Health Sciences or a concentration in health policy, your degree name will still remain Health Sciences.
Will the courses still have the prefix HSC?
For now, yes. We are seeking approval to change the prefix to PH. Once approved, the change would be automatic.
Why are you making this change?
Public health was made the focus of the Department in Fall 2018 when we moved from quarters to semesters. Public health is more widely recognized in the field and, we believe, captures the future of health. This focus is also shared by our colleagues at other CSUs. We are one of the last programs to change over. We also believe the term “public health” is more accepted by employers as characteristic of the students who graduate from our Department.
I want to be a clinician (nurse, physician’s assistant, doctor). Is the program still for me?
Yes! You can still take all the courses needed for further professional training in clinical programs.
Department of Public Health
- 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd
- Student and Faculty Services Bldg
- 5th Floor - Room 502
- Hayward, CA 94542
- Phone: 510-885-3885
- Fax: 510-885-2156
- Email: ph@csueastbay.edu