International Health, B.S.
The International Health major is designed to prepare and equip leaders who will engage the multifaceted challenges and opportunities encountered in International Health and to do so from a biblical worldview. This degree offers various tracks including a pre-medicine option with clinical field experience, or the option to double major in a field of interest such as business, ministry, etc. A minimum of six weeks of international/intercultural field experience is required for degree completion; extended internships are available to gain skills and competitive edge for employment or graduate school entrance. International health majors are highly sought by government agencies and non-profit organizations as they seek to improve health at the individual, community and national levels through various avenues including safe water, food security, environmental sustainability, economic development and education.
Program Requirements
Bethel Core
| BIBL 215 | Old Testament Literature | 3 |
| BIBL 216 | New Testament Literature | 3 |
| | |
| CHEM 150 | Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry | 4 |
| OR | |
| CHEM 163 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| | |
| COMM 171 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Written Communication II | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Written Communication III | 3 |
| Art/Drama/Music | 3 |
| | |
| Foreign Language (two semesters) | 6 |
| OR | |
| 1 semester at 200 (Intermediate) level | 3 |
| | |
| HIST 246 | Introduction to World Civilizations | 3 |
| KINE 252 | Fitness/Wellness | 1 |
| | |
| KINE 117 | On the Ball Training | 1 |
| OR | |
| KINE 124 | Aerobics | 1 |
| OR | |
| KINE 128 | Physical Fitness | 1 |
| OR | |
| KINE 135 | Weight Training | 1 |
| | |
LIT
| Literature | 3 |
MATH
| College Level Mathematics | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 452 | Senior Experience | 1 |
| PSYC 182 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 151 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| THEO 110 | Exploring the Christian Faith | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 49-52 |
Major Requirements
Choose one of the following two-course sequences:
| BIOL 126 | General Biology:Botany and Zoology | 4 |
| AND | |
| BIOL 337 | Vertebrate Physiology | 4 |
| OR | |
| BIOL 214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| AND | |
| BIOL 215 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
International Core
| IS 350 | International and Community Development | 3 |
| IS 460 | International Studies Internship | 1-3 |
| SOC 356 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SS 277 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Electives
Electives needed to complete degree
*International Learning Experience may be met by any combination of:
Credit earned through a semester abroad approved by the Dean of the School and registered as IS 460 - International Studies Internship, or through shorter trips with an international experience. These might include Bethel Task Force trips, summer missions trips, business tours, Au Sable international courses, and/or study tours, etc. One hour of credit is generally awarded for two weeks of international experience (thus, students must complete 6 weeks of international study to earn the degree).
Total Credit Hours: 120
4+1 Masters in Public Health
Bethel University offers a cooperative 4+1 Masters in Public Health program with Indiana Wesleyan University for students majoring in International Health. Students can apply in their junior year to Indiana Wesleyan University’s Masters in Public Health program following IWU’s application process. The student applying to the MPH degree must have satisfied Bethel’s academic guidelines, as well as the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- A grade of “B-“ or better in BIOL 205, BIOL 225, IS 350, SOC 356 and SS 277.
- Recommendation for admission by the International Health Coordinator and/or the Biology & Chemistry Department faculty.
- Essay of 500 to 750 words explaining the student’s interest in the MPH program.
- Interview: Applicants to the MPH degree program must pass a formal interview with the program faculty.
Courses
Since these courses will also count towards their International Health major, students will not be eligible to graduate until August following their senior year. Students will then complete the remaining 22 credits required for the MPH directly from Indiana Wesleyan University through the online course delivery format.