Community Public Health

GPA

2.75

Additional Requirements

Students take three required CIEE courses and select three electives from CIEE Gaborone and/or a range of options at the University of Botswana. 

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Requirements

• Three required CIEE courses 
• Three elective courses at the University of Botswana, one of which must be in public and environmental health  
• Online Course Options: substitute up to one ASU online course

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits 

Course Credit

• CIEE courses: 2-3 U.S. semester/3-4.5 quarter credits; 30-45 contact hours 
• University of Botswana courses: 2-4 U.S. semester/3-6 quarter credits; 30-60 contact hours 

Academic Culture

Students notice striking differences in the educational system here. Following the British model, there is less structure and students take greater responsibility and initiative. Professors expect a great deal of individual study. Students are expected to take a full program of courses and complete all assignments and exams. Learning by rote is common. Professors read from notes or books, expecting students to copy their recitations word for word. Most professors are eager to give extra help during office hours. Semester schedule: One week of orientation, 14 weeks of classes, a one-week break, and two weeks of examinations. CIEE Gaborone follows the University of Botswana academic calendar, with additional time for orientation. 

ASU Courses: You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. Some are earning their degrees entirely online, while others, like you, are supplementing their education with an online course. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online. Most ASU online courses are asynchronous, meaning there are no set log-in times, but make sure to verify this before the add/drop deadline in case you want to make a change.

Class Format

University classes are open to students from Botswana and other nations. They involve a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and laboratories. Lectures may include up to 100 students. Tutorials and seminars range from 15 to 25 students. CIEE classes are only open to CIEE students. 

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5 weeks long in semesters and 6 weeks long in the summer, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end. You’ll need a standard PC or Mac desktop or laptop computer with a download speed higher than 25 Mbps, as well as access to email, productivity software like Microsoft Office and other applications needed to perform a variety of educational functions. Most course materials you will need are available online. Since you are working mostly or entirely asynchronously, you’re given deadlines for your assignments by your instructor or in your syllabus, but you can work at your own pace within these due dates. Most instructors suggest a recommended pace to optimize your learning, but you have the flexibility to complete your ASU courses while pursuing your studies at your CIEE location.

Grading

Most courses at the University of Botswana use a continuous assessment model that includes written assignments, projects, research exercises, essays, and written and oral exams. Grades are given on a percentage scale, letter grade (A-F), and grade point scale. 

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. As a U.S. institution of higher education, the grading practices should be familiar to any CIEE student. ASU awards grades of "A+," "A," "A-," "B+," " B," "B-," "C+," "C," "D," or "E.” “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students. Please see the CIEE Academic Manual for Students for more information about your grades.

Language of Instruction

English