The combined Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and Cultural Anthropology integrates concepts and theories from cultural anthropology with public health concepts to approach complex health inequities. Students have an opportunity to gain foundational anthropological knowledge and skills and apply theory to public health approaches for addressing poor health outcomes. Students explore how culture and social structures affect health promotion strategies and outcomes. This combined major will appeal to students who want to pursue graduate study and research in anthropology, public health, public policy and administration, and education.  

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Public Health Requirements

Public Health Core
PHTH 1260The American Healthcare System4
or PHTH 1261 Comparative Healthcare Systems
PHTH 2210Foundations of Biostatistics4
PHTH 2300Communication Skills for the Health Professions4
or PHTH 2301 Communication Skills for the Health Professions—Global
PHTH 2350Community and Public Health4
or PHTH 2351 Community and Public Health - Global
PHTH 2515Healthcare Policy and Administration4
PHTH 4120Global Perspectives on Discrimination and Health4
PHTH 4202Principles of Epidemiology in Medicine and Public Health4
PHTH 4540Health Education and Program Planning4

Science Requirement

Biology
Complete one of the following options:8–10
Option 1
Microbes and Society
Biology and Society
The Human Organism
Option 2
General Biology 1
and Lab for BIOL 1111
General Biology 2
and Lab for BIOL 1113
Psychology
PSYC 1101Foundations of Psychology4

Public Health Social Science Requirement

Introductory Course
Complete one of the following:4
Communication Theory
Principles of Macroeconomics
and Recitation for ECON 1115
Principles of Microeconomics
and Recitation for ECON 1116
Introduction to Health and Humanities
Social Change and Human Services
Globalization and International Affairs
Introduction to Philosophy
International Relations
Upper-Level Course
Complete one of the following (categories provided for reference): 3–4
Society and Behavior
Health Communication
Health Communication Campaigns
Psychology of Crime
The (in)Visibility of (dis)Ability in Society
Health Advocacy
Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Learning and Motivation
Globalization and Global Health
Epidemiology of Pandemic Diseases and Health Disparities in the African Diaspora
International Food Policy
Cities in a Global Context
Cities in a Global Context (Abroad)
International Conflict and Negotiation
Politics of Developing Nations
Environmental Health and Climate Change
Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
Environmental Economics
Climate and Development
Climate Change and Global Urbanization
Law, Policy, and Human Rights
Law and Economics
Global Justice
Ethics and Public Policy
Public Policy and Administration
Healthcare Administration and Management
Health Economics and Healthcare Policy
Healthcare Management, Innovation, and Design
Organizational Behavior
Healthcare Management
Evaluating Healthcare Quality
Economic Perspectives on Health Policy

Cultural Anthropology Requirements

Required Cultural Anthropology Courses

ANTH 1101Peoples and Cultures4
ANTH 2305Global Markets and Local Culture4
ANTH 3410Ethnographic Field Experience4
ANTH 3421Foundations of Anthropological Theory4

Area Courses

Complete two area courses in the range from ANTH 4101-ANTH 4520 not used to satisfy other requirements; one study abroad course may be substituted as an area studies course with prior permission from the department; additional area courses taken may count as anthropology electives. 8

Cultural Anthropology Electives

Complete three additional courses between ANTH 2000-4999 not used to satisfy other requirements.12

Supporting Course Requirements

Introduction to College
Complete one of the following:1
Anthropology at Northeastern
College: An Introduction
Writing Courses
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
Complete one of the following:4
Advanced Writing in the Health Professions
Advanced Writing in the Social Sciences

Integrative Course

ANTH 3441Medical Anthropology4

Capstone

Complete one of the following:3-4
Senior Seminar
Making Anthropology Public
Evaluating Health Technologies
Health Science Capstone—Service 1
Health Science Capstone—Research 1
Health Science Capstone Seminar
Junior/Senior Honors Project 1
and Junior/Senior Honors Project 2 2
Critical Issues in Health and Public Health Policy
Private Guns, Public Health
Addressing Rural Health Inequities
Advancing Health Justice Through the Law
Environmental Health
Global Health
Food, Nutrition, and Health
Qualitative Methods
1

Must complete Health Science Capstone Introduction (HSCI 4700) (0 SH) as pre-requisite.

2

Junior/Senior Honors Project 1 (HSCI 4970) will count as 4 semester hours of general electives.

Co-op

A co-op is not required; however, students may choose to complete one or two six-month co-op experiences during their course of study. Students must consult their advisor regarding the prerequisite course for co-op.

Public Health Major Requirement

A grade of C or higher is required for the Public Health Core, Science Requirement, Public Health Social Science Requirement, and HSCI and PHTH Capstone courses. Students who take College: An Introduction (HSCI 1000) and Professional Development for Bouvé Co-op (HSCI 2000) must achieve a C or higher.

Public Health and Cultural Anthropology Major Credit Requirement

Minimum of 95 semester hours required

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Sample Plans of Study

Four Years/ Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer First Half—Bouvé Students 

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ENGW 11114ANTH 11014ANTH elective4General Elective4
HSCI 10001PSYC 11014PHTH 23504General Elective4
PHTH 12604BIOL course4-5  
BIOL course4-5Elementary language course4  
Introductory language course4   
 17-18 16-17 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
HSCI 2000 (*)1Co-op0Co-op0PH Social science course (introductory)4
ANTH 23054  PHTH 25154
PHTH 22104   
Intermediate language course4   
PHTH 23004   
 17 0 0 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ANTH 34104Co-op0Co-op0ENGW 33064
ANTH 34214  PHTH 42024
ANTH 34414   
ANTH area course4   
 16 0 0 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Capstone course3-4ANTH elective4  
ANTH area course4PH Social science course (upper)3-4  
PHTH 41204PHTH 45404  
ANTH elective4General elective4  
 15-16 15-16  
Total Hours: 128-132

Four Years/Two Co-ops in Summer Second Half/Fall—CSSH Students

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ANTH 10001ANTH 11014ANTH elective4General Elective4
PHTH 12604ENGW 11114PHTH 23504General Elective4
PSYC 11014BIOL course4-5  
BIOL course4-5Elementary language course4  
Introductory language course4   
 17-18 16-17 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
ANTH elective4ANTH 23054PH Social science course (introductory)4Co-op0
ANTH area course4PHTH 22104General elective4 
PHTH 23004ANTH elective4  
Intermediate language course4EESH 2000 (*)1  
 PHTH 25154  
 16 17 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0ANTH 34104PHTH 41204Co-op0
 ANTH 34214PHTH 45404 
 ANTH 34414  
 ENGW 33084  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-op0ANTH area course4  
 Capstone Course3-4  
 PH Social science course (upper)3-4  
 PHTH 42024  
 0 14-16  
Total Hours: 128-132
*

Students that choose to complete at least one co-op experience must complete either Professional Development for Bouvé Co-op (HSCI 2000) or Professional Development for Co-op (EESH 2000) (based on home college) prior to co-op.