Community Health Education, B.S.

Learning by doing is the keystone of the Community Health Education program. Classroom-based research, on-campus work opportunities, and service learning projects are led by faculty with a broad range of specialties including nutrition, stress management, human sexuality, environmental health, disease prevention and health promotion. The rich variety of core and program requirements is supplemented by elective courses selected, with faculty advice, to reflect the student’s interests in the field of health education. Extensive fieldwork, including a required practicum and internship, prepare the student for future employment. Electives include course work in substance abuse, dance, recreation and exercise physiology.

Requirements (64 Total Credits)

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

Major Requirements

*any four 2-credit HEA courses

HEA 123 - Introduction to Community Health Credits: 4
HEA 218 - Health Communications and Theory Credits: 4
HEA 296 - Practicum in Community Health Education Credits: 4
HEA 310 - Principles of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Credits: 4
HEA 350 - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 4
HEA 410 - Resource Management and Grant Writing Credits: 4
HEA 411 - Planning for Health Promotion Credits: 4
HEA 495 - Field Experience in Community Health Credits: 12
HEA 496 - Senior Capstone Seminar in Health Education Credits: 4
Health Electives Credits: 8*

Subtotal: 52

Supporting Required Courses

*May be used to satisfy general education requirements.

BIO 150N - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
PSY 225S - Child and Adolescent Development Credits: 4
or
PSY 226 - Adulthood and Aging Credits: 4
MAT 120M - Introductory Statistics Credits: 4

Subtotal: 12

Optional Outdoor Recreation Programming Concentration

Required Courses

REC 133 - Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management Credits: 2
BUS 130 - Introduction to Recreation Credits: 4
HEA 210 - Environmental Health Credits: 4
HEA 241 - Nutrition and Exercise Credits: 4
EPP 131S Conservation and Environment Credits: 4
or
EPP 231S Environmental Issues Credits: 4

Total: 18 Credits

Recreation Electives

(Choose 5)

REC 103 - Principles and Practices of the River Industry Credits: 2
REC 104 - Principles and Practices of Camping and Hiking Credits: 2
REC 105 - Principles and Practices of the Golf Industry Credits: 2
REC 106 - Principles and Practices of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Maine Credits: 2
REC 107 - Principles and Practices of Adventure Education Credits: 2
REC 177 Topics in Recreation Credits: 2

Total: 10 Credits

Total Credits for the Concentration: 28

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

Optional Physical Activity and Nutrition Concentration

Required Courses

BIO 152 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II Credits: 4
CHY 130N - General, Organic, Biochemistry for Health Sciences (GOB for Health Sciences) Credits: 4 **
or
CHY 141 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4 **
HEA 200 - Athletic Injuries: Prevention and Emergency Response Credits: 4 *
or
HEA 120 - Emergency Medical Response/Principles and Practices Credits: 4 *
HEA 203 - Theory and Practice for the Personal Trainer Credits: 4 *
HEA 241 - Nutrition and Exercise Credits: 4 *
HEA 243 - Nutrition and Obesity Credits: 2 *
HEA 244 - Nutrition Care for Children Credits: 2 *
HEA 245 - Nutrition and Ecological Concerns Credits: 2 *
HEA 303 - Physiology of Exercise Credits: 4 *
PEC 225 - Physical Training Theory and Applied Biomechanics Credits: 4
SHE 233 - Teaching Health in Elementary School Credits: 2
*Count toward satisfying major requirement for 8 credits of community health electives.

**May be used to satisfy general education requirement.

Total Credits for the Concentration: 36

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

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 Community Health Education 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: 128

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.