Public Health - Associate of Public Health
Doña Ana Community College 2026-2027 Catalog
(60-64 credits)
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all required Public Health courses/Technical Requirements and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10-11 | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences Course (4 credits) 2 | ||
Choose one from the following: | ||
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
or ASTR 1115G | Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory | |
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | 4 | |
| Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Modern Computing in Practice | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| Physical Geography | 4 | |
| Physical Geology | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab | 4 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I | ||
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 credits) 2 | ||
Choose one from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | 3 | |
| World Archaeology | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Survey of Economics | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | 3 | |
| Human Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| American National Government | 3 | |
| Issues in American Politics | 3 | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Media and Society | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
| Representing Women Across Cultures | 3 | |
Either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 or 4 credits) 2 | ||
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Film as Literature | 3 | |
| World Literature I | 3 | |
| United States History I | 3 | |
| United States History II | 3 | |
| World History I | 3 | |
| World History II | 3 | |
| Western Civilization I | 3 | |
| Western Civilization II | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Philosophy and World Religions | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| Visual Concepts | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Jazz | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Related Requirements 3 | ||
| Select 12-14 credits of electives from the following: | 12-14 | |
| Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care | 3 | |
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Learning in the Classroom | 3 | |
| Dental Public Health Education | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Skills in Intimate Relationships | 3 | |
| First-year Seminar | 3 | |
| Media and Society | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Problems | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Spanish I | 4 | |
or SPAN 1220 | Spanish for Heritage Learners II | |
Other related requirements may be approved by the department. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Technical Requirements 4 | 16 | |
| Personal Health & Wellness 5 | 3 | |
| Intro to Health & Community Services 6 | 3 | |
| Service Learning 7 | 4 | |
| Foundations of Health Education 6, 7 | 3 | |
| Essentials of Public Health 6 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60-64 | |
- 1
MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics is required for the Associate of Public Health degree but students may first need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
"G" courses may be counted as "Related Requirements" and General Education" requirements, but students must have a total of 60 credits to complete the degree.
- 4
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses listed under Technical Requirements. The CHSS and PHLS courses listed here may be applied toward the bachelor’s degree program in Public Health at NMSU.
- 5
PHLS 1110G Personal Health & Wellness is a Technical Requirement for the Associate of Public Health AND an Area IV General Education Requirement. It may be counted for both, but students must complete a total of 60 credits to earn the degree.
- 6
Courses align with those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.
- 7
PHLS 2110 Foundations of Health Education is a prerequisite for CHSS 2510 Service Learning.
(60-64 credits)
A Suggested Plan of Study
The contents of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. This is only a suggested plan of study for students, and is not intended as a contract. Individual student academic plans may vary. Please contact your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all required Public Health courses/Technical Requirements and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Area I: Communications – English Composition Level 1 | 4 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Area I: Communications – Oral Communications | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | ||
| Area II: Mathematics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| PHLS 1110G | Personal Health & Wellness | 3 |
| General Education Elective - See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses. | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Area I: Communications – English Composition Level 2 | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Sciences - Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory or The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | ||
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | ||
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | ||
| Modern Computing in Practice | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Survey of Physics with Lab or Algebra-Based Physics I | ||
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences - choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| World Archaeology | ||
| Human Growth and Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Survey of Economics | ||
| Macroeconomic Principles | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Representing Women Across Cultures | ||
| Media and Society | ||
| Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| American National Government | ||
| Issues in American Politics | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | ||
| CHSS 1110 | Intro to Health & Community Services | 3 |
| PHLS 2110 | Foundations of Health Education | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Sciences or Area IV - Social/Behavioral Sciences - Select one course from either Area III or Area IV in the NMSU/DACC Catalog. A list of recommended Area III and Area IV courses can be found in Semester 2. | 3-4 | |
| Area V: Humanities - Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Film as Literature | ||
| World Literature I | ||
| United States History I | ||
| United States History II | ||
| World History I | ||
| World History II | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | ||
| Philosophy and World Religions | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Philosophical Thought | ||
| Creative and Fine Arts -Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Orientation in Art | ||
| Visual Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Music Appreciation: Jazz | ||
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| PHLS 2120 | Essentials of Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 12-13 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CHSS 2510 | Service Learning | 4 |
| Related Requirements - Choose 3 or 4 courses from the following to equal to 12 credits not exceeding 14 credits | 12-14 | |
| Other related requirements may be approved by the department. | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care | ||
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Human Growth and Behavior | ||
| Learning in the Classroom | ||
| Dental Public Health Education | ||
| Professional and Technical Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Skills in Intimate Relationships | ||
| First-year Seminar | ||
| Media and Society | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Human Nutrition | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | ||
| Spanish I or Spanish for Heritage Learners II | ||
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Total Credits | 60-64 | |