2009-2010 University Catalog

Community Health, BS

Banner Code: HH-BS-COMH

This degree prepares students with a basic knowledge and understanding of public health, the health care system, and issues and policies related to health promotion, disease prevention, and education. The focus is to understand health issues related to specific communities and larger populations at the national and international levels.

Public health and community health professionals work in partnership with other professionals in private and public community organizations and are expected to confront complex behavioral, cultural, and social health issues within communities. The skills and knowledge gained through this program prepare graduates to address the local, national, and global health needs of communities and populations, providing understanding, education, monitoring, evaluation, and interventions within a community setting.

Students majoring in Community Health may elect one of four specializations: Global Health, Health Education, Nutrition, or Pre-Health Professions. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Interested students are encouraged to contact the Department of Global and Community Health before admission.

A criminal background check may be required of students prior to beginning the internship if the organization requires one. A minimum grade of C must be maintained in all major courses. Students may substitute two 3-credit GCH courses for the internship, depending on the student’s work experience, with their advisor’s approval.

Degree Requirements

General Education (38 credits)

Written Communication:

ENGL 101 - Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 302 - Advanced Composition Credits: 3
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGL 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements.

Oral Communication:

Choose one:

COMM 100 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
COMM 101 - Interpersonal and Group Interaction Credits: 3

Quantitative Reasoning:

STAT 250 - Introductory Statistics I Credits: 3

Information Technology:

IT 103 - Introduction to Computing Credits: 3

Literature:

An approved University General Education literature course.

Arts:

An approved University General Education arts course.

Natural Science:

BIOL 124 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4
BIOL 125 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4
Required for the Health Education, Global Health and Nutrition concentrations.
or
BIOL 213 - Cell Structure and Function Credits: 4
BIOL 303 - Animal Biology Credits: 4
Required for the Pre-Health Professions concentration.

Western Civilization:

Choose one of the following:

HIST 100 - History of Western Civilization Credits: 3
HIST 125 - Introduction to World History Credits: 3

Concentrations: Complete One

▲ Global Health Concentration (GLOH): 28 credits

The global health concentration is designed for students interested in global public health and is particularly focused on improving health conditions in developing countries.

GCH 310 - Health Behavior Theories Credits: 3
GCH 405 - International Health Policy and Practice Credits: 3
BIOL 246 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 306 - Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory Credits: 1

Foreign Language (9 credits)

Global Health Electives (9 credits)

Three courses as approved by the department.

▲ Health Education Concentration (HEAL): 27 credits

The health education concentration prepares students to enter a career in health education and to sit for the professional health educators’ licensure exam.

GCH 310 - Health Behavior Theories Credits: 3
COMM 399 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 1-3
Health Communications section only.
HEAL 470 - Community Health Systems Credits: 3
HAP 416 - Leadership and Management of Health Systems I Credits: 3
PSYC 231 - Social Psychology Credits: 3

Health Education Electives (12 credits)

Four courses as approved by the department.

▲ Nutrition Concentration (NUTR): 28 credits

The nutrition concentration is designed for students interested in community nutrition. Students will develop an understanding of nutrition issues and intervention.

GCH 420 - Strategies for Nutrition Education Credits: 3
GCH 421 - Community Nutrition Credits: 3
GCH 422 - Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle Credits: 3
GCH 423 - Nutrition and Chronic Illnesses Credits: 3
GCH 466 - Nutrition and Weight Management: Obesity, Anorexia, and Bulimia Credits: 3
BIOL 246 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 306 - Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory Credits: 1

Nutrition Electives (9 credits)

Three courses as approved by the department.

▲ Pre-Health Professions Concentration (PRHP): 29 credits

The pre-health professions concentration prepares students to apply for graduate programs in the health professions such as medical school, dentistry school, veterinary school, and physical therapy programs. This concentration does not guarantee entrance into a graduate health professional program. It is important to note that, depending on the type of graduate program that students are interested in, additional coursework may be required. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the essential criteria for admission to their target schools in consultation with the health professions advising office.

CHEM 211 - General Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 212 - General Chemistry Credits: 4
PSYC 211 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 325 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
Choose one the following:
MATH 106 - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
MATH 113 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Credits: 4

Pre-Health Professions Electives (12 credits)