Public Health B.S. - Concentration: Community Health

About the Program

The Department of Health Studies degree programs provide students with an innovative curriculum to pursue a variety of career paths in the health field, as well as providing the foundation needed for future graduate studies. The health field is the second largest employer in the United States.

Community Health Educators are professionals who design, carry out and evaluate programs that help improve the quality of health within communities. The quality of health attained by communities is what in turn determines the society’s overall quality of life.

The Community Health Education program prepares students for a rewarding service career that improves the health behavior and health outcomes of residents living in local communities, counties, as well as statewide.

The Community Health Education program also provides a solid foundation for those wishing to pursue graduate training in the public health sciences. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in assessing community needs, planning and implementing community-based health education and health promotion programs; program evaluation; and resource acquisition and development.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities in health education and promotion continue to expand due to the increasing emphasis on cost-effective approaches in early detection and prevention of maladaptive health behaviors and resulting disease.

Employment opportunities exist working with youth, families, and the growing number of senior citizens. Typical employment settings include community medical centers and hospitals, local and state departments of health, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, nonprofit organizations (i.e., American Cancer Society), and other public health settings.

Are you interested in ...

• Improving the quality of health within communities
• Preventing illness by educating communities
• A service career in health care

Choose Community Health Education at ESU

• Small class size
• Qualified, experienced faculty
• Practical internships

Is community health education a career path for me?

Career Potential

• Coordinator of community prevention programs
• Patient educator for disease management
• Trainers
• Community organizers
• Work-wellness specialists
• Wellness project managers
• Outreach workers
• Case managers
• Research associates
• Public health program managers

Career Settings

• Hospitals and service delivery organizations
• Local and state health departments
• Long-term care facilities
• Pharmaceutical firms
• Health insurance agencies
• Government entities (Centers for Disease Control, Health and Human Services, Departments of Health)
• Hospice and home health agencies
• Nonprofit organizations (American Cancer, Red Cross, United Way)
• Graduate schools in public health

More detailed career information is available from the department.

Internships

Students in the bachelor of science program have the opportunity to complete internships with community and public health agencies located in the Poconos, Lehigh Valley, and other organizations within Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey. Some students also obtain internships in Washington, D.C., the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, and other locations nationally.

Program Features

49 semester hours

Required courses:

and 12 additional semester hours from:

Co-requisite courses:

Additional requirements:

• Note: A full-time, 12-credit internship experience (HLTH 486) is required. Completion of all health education coursework and an overall quality point average of 2.50 and a quality point average of 2.50 within the major is required for approval to enroll in the internship.

Program Curriculum Plan

The curriculum prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) examination. The CHES credential indicates that a Health Educator has achieved professional competency required in many employment settings.

The coursework prepares graduates to...

• Determine individual, organizational and community health education needs.
• Plan, develop, implement, manage and evaluate health education programs.
• Communicate health education needs.
• Develop coalitions.
• Advocate for community health issues.
• Train health educators.
• Employ a variety of educational methods and materials.

(Subject to change by university without notice)

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Sophomore Year

Fall

Spring

Junior Year

Fall

Spring

Senior Year

Fall

Spring

Total Credit Hours: 120