Community and Public Health, B.S.

The Community and Public Health program prepares students to make a real impact on health at both the individual and population levels. Through hands-on learning, service projects, and real-world fieldwork, students gain the skills needed to educate communities, develop health programs, and influence public health policies. Blending community health education and public health foundations, the curriculum covers disease prevention, health promotion, environmental health, and healthcare systems. Students personalize their education through electives and faculty-guided specialization in areas like epidemiology, health advocacy, or program planning. A required culminating internship provides students with valuable experience in locations such as, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, government agencies, and athletic departments. Graduates are prepared for careers as community health educators, public health specialists, program coordinators, and wellness coaches, or advanced study in public health, healthcare administration, environmental health, or epidemiology.

Total Major Requirements 42 Credits

NOTE: A minimum grade of C- is required of all HEA courses

Major Requirements

HEA 123 - Contemporary Health Issues Credits: 3
HEA 218 - Health Behavior Change Theory Credits: 3
HEA 127 - Introduction to the U.S. Health System Credits: 3
HEA 301 - Health Administration and Policy Credits: 3
HEA 310 - Principles of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Credits: 3
HEA 350 - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 3
HEA 410 - Resource Management and Grant Writing Credits: 3
HEA 411 - Planning for Health Education Credits: 3
HEA 495 - Field Experience in Community Health Credits: 3 - 12 (take 12 credits)

HEA electives 6 credits required

HEA 105 - Guns and Glory: Understanding Gun Violence and Public Health Prevention Measures in the USA Credits: 3
HEA 106 - Violence Across the Lifespan Credits: 3
HEA 120 - Emergency Medical Response/Principles and Practices Credits: 3
HEA 125 - Global Health Credits: 3
HEA 200 - Athletic Injuries: Prevention and Emergency Response Credits: 3
HEA 203 - Theory and Practice for the Personal Trainer Credits: 3
HEA 210 - Environmental Health Credits: 3
HEA 211 - Substance Abuse Prevention Credits: 3
HEA 212 - Social Emotional Well-being/Stress Management Credits: 3
HEA 231 - Child and Adolescent Health Credits: 3
HEA 241 - Nutrition and Exercise Credits: 3
HEA 243 - Nutrition and Obesity Credits: 3
HEA 245 - Nutrition and Ecological Concerns Credits: 3
HEA 250 - Sex and Gender Health Credits: 3
HEA 260 - Health Promotion Biology Credits: 3
HEA 262 - Human Sexuality Credits: 3
HEA 303 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 3

Other Requirements

General Education Requirements

For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Graduation

To graduate with a Health Promotion and Wellness major, students must have:

Grades of C- or higher in all major requirements;
A cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher.

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 120

Learning Goals and Assessment

Learning Goals:

Students conduct high quality health education and health promotion activities in a variety of diverse settings.
Students are prepared for graduate studies in public health and allied health professions in communities, school, health care, and/or worksite settings related fields.
Students develop knowledge skills and abilities consistent with the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing responsibilities expected of a professional health educator entering the field.
Students are prepared for healthful living in a world of increasing complexity.

Assessment Criteria:

In keeping with the accepted national standards students will learn to:

Assess individual and community needs for health education.
Conduct evaluation and research related to health education.
Communicate and advocate for health and health education.
Implement health education strategies, interventions and programs.
Serve as health education resource people.
Plan health education strategies, interventions and programs.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs.