Public Health
The Lake Washington Institute of Technology Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health degree is designed for students who are passionate about health and wellness issues, such as childhood obesity, hypertension, healthcare disparities, infectious disease epidemics, the environment and health, and workplace safety, just to name a few. Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health (BASPH) or Certificate of Completion programs will be able to impact lives of communities and entire populations by researching and advocating for the health and protection of others. A career in Public Health is in high-demand in the Seattle area, the state of Washington, and around the world.
Our Classes Fit Your Schedule
LWTech’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health degree and Certificates of Completion in Community Health and Epidemiology feature a popular hybrid/evening format designed for working students. A combination of nighttime-hybrid and online classes, our program is designed to accommodate your busy schedule, with evening classes typically starting at 6 p.m. at our Kirkland campus twice a week, while the rest of the coursework may be completed online.
Can’t make it to campus for one of our evening hybrid classes? The program now offers the option for students to be able to take the entire program online! Each quarter students may determine if they wish to take all of their classes in an online format or attend the in-person hybrid courses on campus. We encourage that students attend at least one evening hybrid course, if they are able, so they will be able to get the most out of interacting with fellow cohort members.
Degree Program Tracks & Certificates
LWTech students in their junior year will take a shared core public health curriculum, including public health theory, science, analytical methods, and leadership. Students are also introduced to the principles of epidemiology and community health to help them decide which specialization track they will take their senior year at LWTech. These senior year advanced level classes will prepare Public Health students for careers in local and global public health field.
For students holding a bachelor’s degree seeking additional training in Public Health, LWTech also offers Certificates of Completion in Community Health or Epidemiology. Our certificates offer eligible students the opportunity to take the senior level specialized courses in order to gain additional applied experiences in the specific area of study.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in populations. Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and analysis of data, and interpretation of the results. They are the scientists, researchers, and idea generators of public health. If you’ve enjoyed science and math classes, Epidemiology may be right for you.
Community Health
The study of Community Health refers to the people and resources that provide health care to members of the community, as well as the community services that people need to meet their physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and occupational needs. Community health practitioners are the communicators, organizers, and advocates of public, population, and community health. If you’ve enjoyed classes in leadership, communication, and psychology, Community Health may be right for you.
Program Tracks
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health are selected on a competitive basis. This program has application and qualification requirements with an application deadline unique to the program. Program information sessions and specialized advising are available before applying to this program.
Applied Bachelor's Degrees
Prerequisites
If you have not already taken classes at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, you must fill out the online admissions application to receive a Student ID number and an LWTech issued email address. You will not be able to fill out the BAS application without completing this step.
Associate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA across all college coursework of 2.5. Completion of at least thirty (30) credits of college-level academic core courses with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in each required class. More information is available in the College Catalog.
Additional Application Information
Application Deadline & Submission
Deadline
Fall 2020 online application is now closed, email Selective.Admission@lwtech.edu for more information about Fall 2020 cohort.
Entry Date
Next Entry: TBD
Application Fee
$50 non-refundable
Application Preview
To apply for the BAS degree, you must create a Self Service Center account. You may preview the BAS application by downloading a PDF of the first page.
Certificates
Community Health Certificate
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA across all college coursework of 2.5. Completion of all prerequisite courses required for the program with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in each prerequisite class. More information is available in the College Catalog.
Admission Dates
Fall Quarter
Contact Gayle Shimokura for more information.
Epidemiology Certificate
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA across all college coursework of 2.5. Completion of MATH 351 Biostatistics or equivalent class and PUBH 320 Principles of Epidemiology or equivalent class with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and faculty approval. More information is available in the College Catalog.
Admission Dates
Fall Quarter
Contact Gayle Shimokura for more information.
Information Sessions
These helpful sessions present an overview of the Public Health program and explain the admission process. Attendance is highly recommended for all applicants.
- All information sessions will be offered virtually via Zoom.
- Email Gayle.Shimokura@lwtech.edu for the Zoom link.
All information sessions will be offered virtually via Zoom.
Using Zoom
- Zoom can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone or you can call in.
- Zoom does not require registering for an account.
- Visit Zoom.us/resources for more information and help videos.
- After clicking the button during the hours listed, you will be brought to a waiting room. Please be patient while waiting and a tutor will be with you soon.
Academic Advising
Visit the Academic Advising page for more information. Or call (425) 739-8300 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
Next Steps: Continuing Your Education
A successful career in Public Health, sometimes requires further education. Many of LWTech's students pursue clinical degrees, such as Physician’s Assistant, Medical Doctorate, Nurse Practitioner programs, Master's in Nursing, etc. Others pursue master's or doctoral degrees in more related professions in the Public Health industry, such as Master's in Public Health, Master's in Health Administration, Master's in Health Informatics, Master of Science in Allied Health, etc. There are numerous universities that offer the appropriate degrees. For an inclusive list of schools and programs, check out SOPHAS, a centralized application services for schools and programs of public health.
Pursuing a Master's Degree
Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) offers a Master of Science in Allied health, Administrative Track, aligns with LWTech's Bachelor's of Applied Science in Public Health to allow graduates to continue their education. The articulation agreement between LWTech and OIT provides a path for graduates to transfer of up to nine equivalent credits for students who complete their BASPH at LWTech.
| LWTech Applied Bachelor's Courses | Quarter Units | OIT Graduate Courses | Quarter Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 351, Biostatistics | 3 | STAT 505, Biostatistics I | 3 |
| PHIL 301, Public Health Ethics | 3 | ALH 545, Legal and ethical Issues in Allied Health | 3 |
| Total LWTech Degree Credits | 6 | Total OIT Degree Credits | 6 |
Students are encouraged to contact and meet with Program Advisors for help with career and education planning.
