Bachelor of Science - Public Health - Community Health (BS)

In this program students will broadly study how to protect the health and well-being of people and communities. They will also promote individual health behaviors by recommending best practices, prevent future illness by advocating for health screenings and protect the community by establishing minimum safety standards or regulations. With a large-scale perspective, public health focuses on local, national and global communities. 

The public health program uses a social justice framework to develop competent and diverse health professionals. Students can choose between two major options to fit their career goals: community health or exercise and health. Students will develop a broad range of transferable skills like problem solving, leadership, cultural competency, teamwork, ethics and effective communication. These skills equip students for employment upon graduation or prepare them for further study in a variety of academic areas. Students will complete most prerequisite requirements (as degree electives) needed for graduate or professional school, including medical school. 

Students will develop the knowledge and skills to understand the multi-faceted nature of health issues, build community engagement, empower afflicted populations and facilitate problem solving with research-based strategies. The program's broad health and wellness curriculum prepares graduates to develop and implement preventative health services in community, corporate or clinical settings as well as pursue professional education in public health, healthcare administration, counseling and psychology and medical and allied health fields. This curriculum also provides preparation for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) professional exam.