Community Health Promotion and Education BS

Program Description

The Community Health Promotion & Education degree program equips students with the knowledge and skills to improve public health outcomes through effective outreach and education. The program focuses on developing strategies to address health disparities, promote wellness, and prevent disease in diverse communities. There are four emphasis areas for students to choose from: Community Health Education Specialist, Worksite Wellness, Health Promotion and Research, and Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT is a highly-competitive, closed emphasis. Interested students are strongly encouraged to meet with the major academic advisor as soon as possible to begin planning).

The Student Experience

Students in the Community Health Education Specialist emphasis develop the expertise and critical thinking abilities needed to assess community health needs, design impactful health promotion programs, deliver those programs, and evaluate their success. Along the way, they also acquire essential skills in research, epidemiology, and advocacy, equipping them with a well-rounded foundation. This emphasis offers a hands-on, applied pathway, culminating in an community-engaged capstone course, along with an internship that provides real-world experience. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national exam, opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities in public health. Many students who pursue this emphasis go on to thrive in graduate programs in public health, administration, and policy.

Students in the Worksite Wellness emphasis gain the expertise to design, implement, and evaluate dynamic exercise programs tailored to organizational settings. Through coursework, they learn to craft effective health programs, use behavior change theories to motivate individuals, and apply evidence-based practices to promote health across diverse communities. The emphasis reaches its peak with an internship, where students partner with real organizations to tackle wellness challenges and create impactful solutions. Graduates often step into roles like wellness coordinators, health coaches, or wellness program managers within corporate or organizational environments. This pathway opens the door to certifications such as the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and the American Academy of Sports Medicine’s Group Exercise Instructor, further enhancing career opportunities in the growing field of worksite wellness.

Students in the Health Promotion & Research emphasis receive a comprehensive educational foundation in health and healthcare, combining community health courses with health promotion strategies. Designed for those looking to pursue careers in healthcare, this flexible program allows students to tailor their studies to specific interests—whether it’s research, policy, healthcare administration, or exploring the social, cultural, and individual dimensions of health. This emphasis is particularly ideal for students planning to apply to post-baccalaureate programs in fields like medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, pharmacology, audiology, speech and language pathology, and recreational therapy, as it provides the opportunity to complete essential pre-requisite courses as electives. Upon graduation, students will be well-equipped to pursue graduate research programs or professional schools, setting them on a path toward impactful careers in healthcare and research.

Students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology emphasis are prepared to become skilled, entry-level nuclear medicine technologists (NMT). An NMT is a specialized healthcare professional who works closely with nuclear medicine physicians to provide critical patient care. This exciting career involves direct patient interaction, operating advanced computer systems, handling radionuclides safely, and performing precise medical procedures—all within a fast-paced healthcare environment. Through this program, students gain the expertise and hands-on training necessary to excel as nuclear medicine technologists, ensuring they are well-equipped to pass the national certification exam and meet state licensure requirements.

Career Opportunities

The careers that students in Community Health Promotion & Education pursue depend on the emphasis they choose.

Careers for students in the Community Health Education Specialist emphasis include Community Health Educator, Health Information Specialist, Community Health Outreach Coordinator, Patient Educator, Prevention Program Coordinator, Health Counselor, Epidemiology Assistant, Wellness Coordinator, Public Health inspector and more. 

Careers for students in the Worksite Wellness emphasis include Wellness Coordinator, Wellness Program Manager, or Health Coach in corporate or other organizational settings.

Careers for students in the Health Promotion & Research emphasis include preparation to enter graduate programs in professional healthcare programs and graduate research programs.  Post-baccalaureate programs that train students in health careers, including but not limited to medicine, dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietetics, pharmacology, audiology, speech and language pathology, and recreational therapy.

Careers for students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology emphasis include Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Learn more about the U's Nuclear Medicine Technologist program

More Info

• Department of Health and Kinesiology
• College of Health
• Department Advising
• U Career Success

Catalog

• Community Health Promotion and Education BS

Exploratory Classes

• H EDU 2020 - Community Health Issues
• H EDU 1020 - Introduction to Health Professions