Community Health Education, B.S.

Overview

The Department of Public Health Education offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Public Health Education major with a concentration in Community Health Education or Health Studies (an online degree program).

Both concentrations provide a foundation in the core areas of public health including: social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, public health statistics, and health policy and administration.

Only students in the Community Health Education concentration are eligible candidates for national credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES.).

Community Health Education Concentration

Increasing national interest in health and health promotion attracts students to the undergraduate degree program in Community Health Education. The concentration provides field experiences in public and private agencies as part of the professional preparation program. Students are prepared to design and implement health promotion programs in the community. Graduates have careers in national, state, and local health agencies, health and human services organizations, and business and industry; and many continue on into graduate study.

Our graduates, like other graduates in general education programs, are competitive in the job market for careers in administration, education, health sciences, human relations, and public service, and in other governmental, community-based and/or nonprofit settings.

The mission of the Department of Public Health Education is to promote health by supporting the learning, decision-making and capacity of individuals, groups, and communities. In collaboration with community organizations, the Department prepares professional health educators and advances public health practice and knowledge.

The Student Experience

Students can join Public Health clubs and organizations, including the honor society local chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the North Carolina Society for Public Health Education, N.C. Chapter of the American Association for Health Education, the American Public Health Association, and the Health Occupations Student Association.

AFTER GRADUATION

• Graduates enter careers in administration, education, health sciences, human relations, and public service, and have attended graduate programs at Yale, The Bloomberg School of Health at Johns Hopkins University, UNC Chapel Hill, Indiana University Bloomington, and UNCG.
• Potential career paths include:
  • Community Health Worker
  • Epidemiologist
  • Fitness & Wellness Coordinator 
  • Health Educator
  • Medical and Health Services Manager
  • Occupational Health & Safety Specialist

Student Spotlight