A bachelor's degree in the field of community health prepares students to work as community health educators for nonprofit organizations, in hospitals or elsewhere, wherever the health field meets education. As many community-wide health challenges are related to behavior and may occur in varying contexts, these programs cover a range of topics. Students seek to understand human behavior, disease vectors, epidemiology and other aspects of health. From creating health pamphlets to analyzing data and advocating for health resources, community health specialists advocate for the improvement of health among the population and seek to influence policy decisions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Completion of a community health bachelor's program will prepare students to earn the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification
- Because of increasing healthcare costs, hospitals, employers and insurance companies are hiring community health educators to improve public health and promote cost savings
- By focusing on large-scale problems, community health educators are in a position to impact significant numbers of lives through their work
Cons
- For some positions, especially in public administration, a completed bachelor's degree program is not considered enough education
- Compared to some other positions in medicine-related fields, community health may not be considered lucrative
- Many positions will be in the public sector, and may be subject to funding restrictions based on political and economic realities rather than on community needs
Courses and Requirements
Students studying community health at the undergraduate level must complete all of the core requirements for graduation as well as the coursework within their major. As the role of community health educators combines an understanding of health with human behavior, the courses for community health are generally cross disciplinary, drawing from mathematics, health, psychology and sociology. Course topics might include:
- Biostatistics
- Community health practices and principles
- Epidemiology
- Health behavior theory
- Linking community and personal health
- Physiology and anatomy
Online Degree Options
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and related degrees may be available through online delivery. These programs may be complete programs, or may be adjunct programs that require coursework completed through other institutions. Online coursework and programs are often delivered asynchronously, which may be of benefit to working professionals who must balance the scheduling requirements of current employment.
Stand Out with This Degree
Especially considering the community-outreach aspects of some positions, you may benefit from seeking out internships and other opportunities, paid or voluntary, to develop hands-on experience within the field during your educational experience. Because of the breadth of this field, you may also want to focus on specific aspects of training, especially with the advice of mentors and with long-term career goals in mind. When earning your bachelor's degree, keep in mind that these are the same professors you may later ask for references for a graduate program.
