This degree program in the Health Department  has been designed for students interested in preparing for health careers in community/public health settings. Students participate in a full semester internship experience. A number of concentrations are available to help meet specific career interests of students.

Those wishing to pursue clinical health-related careers may combine the community health major with the allied health concentration to prepare for post-graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physician's assistancy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine and related clinical areas.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Assess a community's health needs to determine priority areas amenable to intervention.
2. Utilize models, theories, and frameworks to assess, develop, or plan community health interventions.
3. Analyze the impact and role of public health systems and the environment in the design and planning of community health interventions.
4. Analyze a health issue using an ecological framework to identify opportunities for intervention.
5. Plan an evidence-based program to address a community's health needs and improve quality of life.
6. Select and apply valid sources of secondary data when engaging in community health practice.
7. Collect, analyze, and interpret primary and secondary data needed to address a research question, to evaluate the effectiveness of a program/service, or to assess the health needs of a community.
8. Use the research literature to identify evidence based practices for public health interventions.
9. Plan, implement, and evaluate a health intervention to promote health at the individual, community, or policy level.
10. Collaborate with other community health professionals, stakeholders, and participants to address a community's needs.
11. Effectively communicate community health information in oral and written forms through a variety of sources and channels.
12. Apply ethical principles when working with organizations, communities, and individuals.
13. Demonstrate cultural competence when working with diverse populations.
14. Demonstrate the dispositions needed to be an effective public health professional.
15. Articulate a plan for achieving a career of their choice in public health.

Career Potential

• Environmental health specialist
• Community health educator
• College health promotion specialist
• Wellness health promotion specialist
• Health administrator
• Health Communication specialist
• International health promotion

Special Features

• Health Science Honorary chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma
• Study Abroad in London, Belize, Australia, Africa, Cuba
• Concentrations  for more focused study
• Required full semester of fieldwork

Changing Your Major to a Health Department Program

Students meeting the criteria listed below who wish to change majors to the community health or the health education program must submit an application for consideration no later than the end of the second week in the semester prior to when they would like to enter the health department program. Decisions will be made 4-6 weeks after the start of each semester for entry the following semester.

Those students meeting the criteria listed below wishing to change to the human service studies major must have completed an associate's degree in human services or chemical dependency counseling to be eligible for consideration.

Criteria

• Minimum overall grade point average:
  • 2.5 for 46 or more credit hours completed
  • 2.35 for 0-45 credit hours completed
• Ability to clearly articulate why you want to be a health major
• A high level of interest, indicated by volunteer/work/educational experience
• Ability to articulate a connection between a health major and career interests

Meeting minimum overall grade point average does not guarantee admittance to the health major.