Community Health, BS

Department of Physical Education, Health & Recreation, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

102 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Community Health?

The Community Health degree consists of two to three years of course work in Health Education and supporting areas. This includes required course work in both content and process-oriented Health Education courses, Social Sciences (Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology), Biological and Physical Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, and Chemistry), Nutrition, and electives that complement a student’s interests and professional needs.

Why Consider a Community Health Major? 

Community Health Educators assess individual and community needs for health education; plan, implement and administer health education strategies, interventions and programs; conduct evaluation and research; serve as a health education resource; and communicate and advocate for health and health education. Effective Health Education is ecological in its approach. When planning the focus of interventions, trained Health Educators consider all factors that contribute to health and disease: individual behavior; group dynamics; environmental conditions; economics; politics, laws and policies; culture, ethnicity, and gender; and the availability, accessibility, and quality of health services.

Students who are accepted into the Community Health major explore the biological, social, environmental and individual determinants of health. The curriculum is based on the skills and competencies to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) through the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing, Inc. The program is rigorous and faculty members emphasize diverse classroom projects and community outreach. At the end of the program, a full-time internship (40 hours per week for 10 weeks) in a health education setting is required.

The Community Health major is appropriate for students who want to work in community, public, and global health; health communication; governmental and non-profit agencies and organizations; medical care settings; worksite wellness programs; and college and university student service health education programs. It can also serve as a preparatory program for graduate or post-baccalaureate study in Health Education, Public Health, and related areas.

Contact Information

Program Coordinator Jeanne Freeman Carver Gymnasium 101C 360-650-2125 Jeanne.Freeman@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Community Health Educator | Tobacco Control Specialist | Sexuality Education Coordinator | HIV/AIDS Educator | Hospital-based Wellness Program Director | Public Health Director | Substance Abuse Educator | College Health Educator | Injury Prevention Specialist | Curriculum Development Specialist | Health Consultant | Health Information Specialist | Nutrition and Physical Activity Coordinator

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission to the Community Health major is selective and the number of majors is limited. Interested students meet with program faculty to pre-major in Community Health. This allows students access to entry-level courses. Pre-majors are strongly advised to complete biology prerequisites for BIOL 348 and 349 and chemistry prerequisites for CHEM 251 or 351 by the end of the sophomore year. A 2.5 GPA is required to pre-major.

Application to the major is due by October 15 of the year prior to the senior 400-level courses. The application includes an essay; current résumé; two letters of reference; and transcripts. Program faculty will provide information on application specifics. Fulfillment of the requirement does not automatically secure admission to the major. Pre-majors are notified regarding acceptance before winter quarter registration. Majors must maintain the 2.5 GPA in all major courses to enroll in the required full-time internship at the end of the program of study.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.