BS in Public Health: Community Health Concentration

Community health educators assist individuals and communities as they strive for improved health. The community health concentration builds specialized knowledge and skills in community organization, needs assessment, and educational strategies in order to plan, implement, and evaluate programs and services in a community-health setting. Graduates typically find employment in local health departments, hospitals, governmental agencies and a variety of community-based organizations such as substance abuse agencies, pregnancy prevention programs, STI prevention programs, community assessment initiatives and heart and cancer associations.

Possible Career Opportunities

Community health educators assist individuals and communities as they strive for improved health. The community health concentration builds specialized knowledge and skills in community organization, needs assessment, and educational strategies in order to plan, implement, and evaluate programs and services in a community-health setting. Graduates typically find employment in local health departments, hospitals, governmental agencies and a variety of community-based organizations such as substance abuse agencies, pregnancy prevention programs, STI prevention programs, community assessment initiatives and heart and cancer associations.

*Please note that some of these may require additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree

• Community Health Educator
• Health Education Specialist
• Prevention Program Director
• Family Planning Counselor
• Health Promotion Director
• Teen Outreach Coordinator
• Epidemiologist
• Patient Education Coordinator
• Women’s Health Director
• Health/Wellness Coach

Admission Requirements

Minimum 2.75 overall GPA
Students must declare on or before earning 75 credit hours.

Cost of Attendance and Financial Information

Afford | Undergraduate Admissions | ECU

Program Requirements

Courses can include introduction courses, theory, women’s health, health policy, global health, epidemiology, evaluation and planning, and women’s health.

• Required Courses
• Four Year Plan
• 4 years (120 credits)

Internship Requirements and Experience

A 12 s.h. internship is required for Community Health Concentration students. Prior to accepting an internship for academic credit, the experience must be approved by the program’s Internship Coordinator. Prior to the 100-hour mark you should meet with the Internship Coordinator to begin exploring internship options. For more information about Internships in Public Health in the concentration, please see the Public Health Internship Manual.

Student Opportunities and Experiences

Students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular opportunities such as: Eta Sigma Gamma (National Health Education Honorary Society), PEP Squad (Preconception Educating Pirates), T.A.C.O. (Team Awareness Combating Overdose), HER+ Public Health. Additionally, students may apply to become a Public Health Ambassador, collaborate with faculty on research projects, and participate in experiential learning opportunities.

Delivery Methods

This program is only offered in an on-campus, face to face format.

Accreditation Information

The BS in Public Health is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. If you wish to review the most recent self-study document or the official accreditation report, please contact the Program Director, Kelli Russell, MPH, MCHES® (russellk14@ecu.edu).