Department of Health and Human Development, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
101-102 credits
Introduction
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.
For advising, please contact one of the three faculty members listed below.
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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
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How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Admission to the Community Health major is selective, and the number of majors is limited. Students interested in applying to the major should first pre-major in Community Health. This allows students access to entry-level courses. Students may sign up to become a pre-major as early as their freshman year; however, most students sign up during their sophomore year. 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 their sophomore year. A 2.5 GPA is required to declare Community Health as a pre-major, and a 2.5 GPA must be maintained until graduation from the Community Health Program. When students declare Community Health as a pre-major, they are assigned a Community Health faculty advisor. See Taylor Leenstra in CV 271B to fill out pre-major forms. If you are a transfer student, please bring a copy of your unofficial transcript with you.
Application to the major is due in mid-October of the year prior to the senior 400-level courses (exact date will be announced on the Community Health website). 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 courses and supporting courses for majors.
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