Public Health - Associate of Public Health
Doña Ana Community College
2025-2026 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 for the Health Sciences | 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.
- 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 for the Health Sciences | ||
| 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 | |