Program Description
Community health education is for the service-minded student with a passion for teaching and health. Central’s program will prepare you for a career in many different governmental, nonprofit or community-based organizations, private health agencies, and hospitals. After graduating, you’ll be ready to educate the public, promote wellness throughout the community, assess, plan and implement programs, and organize community events to address health issues.
Points of Pride
Since its inception in 1978, the CMU Eta Sigma Gamma health education honorary has won Chapter of the Year more than any other college or university chapter in the nation.
Put Your Degree to Work
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Health educator/community health worker | $41,830 per year | 21% (21,400 more jobs) |
| Epidemiologist | $65,270 per year | 10% (500 more jobs) |
| Health services manager | $88,580 per year | 23% (73,300 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Community Health Education Major
The purpose of this major is to prepare students for careers in a variety of official, voluntary, community based organizations, private health agencies and hospitals. Some career possibilities include, but are not limited to: the education of the public regarding chronic and communicable disease prevention; the promotion of wellness; assessing, planning and implementing programs within communities; and organizing communities regarding health issues.
Total: 58 semester hours
Required Courses I
(23 hours)
HSC 106QR
Healthy Lifestyles
3
Focus on individual health and wellness concepts using quantitative reasoning. Designed to assist the individual in striving for lifelong learning about healthier lifestyles. Quantitative Reasoning.
HSC 205
Responding to Emergencies
2
Includes CPR and first aid care. American Red Cross certification for first aid and CPR can be earned.
HSC 211
Human Anatomy and Physiology
3
Covers basic structure and function of the human body. Prepares non- science majors and health profession students to take advanced human anatomy and physiology courses. Recommended: Successful completion of a college level science course or a strong background in basic sciences, i.e. high school biology or chemistry.
HSC 317
Community Health
3
Introduction to public health, and services provided to citizens and educators by official and voluntary health agencies. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format.
HSC 352
Environmental Health
3
Investigates today’s environmental problems related to health, air, water, radiation, housing, urbanization, disease, weapons, and humans’ responsibilities for and remedial actions to these problems. This course may be offered in an online format.
Introduction to basic principles and methods of epidemiology including: determinants of disease distribution, measures of disease frequency and association, study design, and data sources. Prerequisites: Math competency; 56 credits.
HSC 520
Health Services Administration
3
Analysis of organizational patterns, planning procedures, fiscal management, personnel management, and other administrative concerns. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format.
This class presents applied statistical concepts, principles and methods in the health services industry. Statistical procedures are applied to health, administrative, and medical data. Prerequisites: STA 282 or PSY 211 or graduate standing.
Required Courses II
(26 hours)
HSC 319
Methods and Materials in Community Health Education
3
Skills and techniques in writing, developing health education materials, public speaking, and group dynamics as they relate to community programs. Prerequisite: A signed Community Health Major or minor.
HSC 323
Community Organization Methods
3
The course examines the principles of community organization practice for health education. Community organization models, concepts, skills, strategies, and theories will be addressed.
HSC 418
Professional Aspects of Health Education
2
This course will address professional issues relating to the history, philosophy, ethics, practice, settings, and competencies of health education. Prerequisites: HSC 317 or concurrent enrollment.
HSC 419WI
Community Health Assessment, Planning and Program Evaluation
3
Models, theories, methodologies, interventions, and evaluation of community health assessments and programs will be discussed, along with other health education responsibilities and initiatives. Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: HSC 319, 323.
HSC 526
Behavioral Health
3
Concentrated study of mental health and illness as related to home, school, and community. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format.
HSC 532
Diversity Issues in the Health Professions
3
Developing an understanding of diversity issues in order to become a more effective multiculturally competent health practitioner. Prerequisites: HSC 106 or HSC 317 or graduate standing.
HSC 538WI
Development of Proposals and Reports in Health Administration
3
Emphasize format, content, and writing skills necessary for administration of health programs to prepare grant applications, proposals, reports, and written communications. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 56 credit hours completed or graduate standing. Recommended: Signed major in Health Administration or Public Health Education.
HSC 599
Internship - Public Health
6
Application of health education and health promotion principles in a community health agency. Experience supervised by a qualified health educator. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: Signed Community Health Education or Public Health Education Major; completion of required courses on the major; permission of instructor; or graduate status; permission of instructor.
Electives
(9 hours)
Select from the following in consultation with an advisor.
BIO 101
General Biology
3
The study of living organisms. Fundamental principles of biology are integrated with local and global issues of current interest. No credit toward Biology major or minor. May be used toward satisfying the requirements of Integrated Science major or minor for students seeking certification in Elementary education only. Credit may not be earned in more than one of: BIO 101, BIO 105, BIO 110, and 165. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. This course may be offered in a hybrid or online format. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive Sciences)
The biology of microorganisms: bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa. Prerequisite: BIO 110.
CHM 120
Survey of Chemistry
4
Elementary concepts in chemistry. For students on curricula needing minimal chemical background or students who need additional preparation for CHM 131. This course provides suitable preparation for the successful completion of the laboratory courses, CHM 112 or CHM 127. Cannot be counted on a Chemistry/Biochemistry major or Chemistry minor. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 105. (University Program II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Science)
CHM 127
Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
1
Elementary laboratory experiments which parallel the syllabus for CHM 120. Recommended for students in dietetics, sports medicine, health education, and elementary/middle school education. No credit toward chemistry or biochemistry major or minor. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-requisite: CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Science)
Principles of normal nutrition as related to the health of all age groups. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive Sciences)
HDF 100
Lifespan Development
3
Study of the basic principles of human development and their relation to family interactions throughout the lifespan. Recommended: Students who have taken EDU 280 or PSY 220 should seek departmental advice prior to enrollment. (University Program Group III-A: Behavioral Sciences)
HSA 341/MKT 341
Services Marketing
3
Planning and implementation of marketing strategy and application of the marketing mix to services including hospitality, banking and health services. Identical to MKT 341. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or MKT 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
HSC 222
Sexuality in Health Education
3
Emphasis on understanding and human values as related to programming sex education in health education classes. Not open to students with credit in HSC 527.
HSC 235
Psychoactive Drugs
3
The study of psychoactive drugs: what they are; how they work; and why people use and/or abuse them. Not open to students with credit in HSC 528, 529, or 530. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format.
HSC 340
Curriculum in Health Education
3
Study of modern curriculum philosophy, structure, placement, and content within elementary, junior, and senior high schools.
HSC 350
Community Service in the Health Educators
2
A service-learning experience where the student is engaged in a hands-on service project. Academic coverage includes the philosophy, objectives, and methods of community service. Prerequisite: HSC 317.
HSC 390
Health and Aging
3
A study of age-related changes of the body, health concerns, healthy lifestyles and health care for older adults.
HSC 411
Pathophysiology
3
Study of body’s physiological responses to disease states. Emphasis is placed on the interactions among body systems and deviations from homeostasis. Prerequisite: HSC 211 or HSC 215 or BIO 392.
HSC 503
Health Implications of Obesity
3
Obesity will be studied with special emphasis on prevalence and etiology. Modes of prevention and treatment including diet and exercise will also be discussed. Prerequisites: 56 hours completed or graduate standing.
A concentrated study of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome including the origin, prevalence, spread, disease process, psychosocial aspects and implications for society. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite: HSC 106 or teaching certificate.
HSC 527
Sex Education Workshop
1
Concentrated study of sex education and roles of home, school, and community. Not open to students with credit in HSC 222.
HSC 528
Smoking and Health Education Workshop
1
Concentrated study of physiological, psychological, sociological, and educational aspects of smoking. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235.
HSC 529
Alcohol Education Workshop
1
Concentrated study of physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of alcohol education. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
HSC 530
Drug Abuse Workshop
1
Concentrated study of the effects of drugs and narcotics. Roles of home, school, and community in drug education. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
HSC 537
Stress Reduction Workshop
1
Systematic evaluation of stress and methods used to effectively reduce stress to promote and maintain health and wellness. Prerequisite: 50 credit hours completed or graduate standing.
HSC 547
Health Risk Identification and Management
3
Examine cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors and management of those risk factors with emphasis on current clinical guidelines and lifestyle interventions (e.g., physical activity/exercise). Prerequisites: 56 credit hours completed or graduate standing.
MKT 300
Introduction to Marketing
3
A basic introduction to the marketing environment, the marketing mix, marketing management and the place of marketing in world society. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Credit may not be earned in both MKT 304 and MKT 300; cannot be counted on any BSBA major including Marketing, Logistics Management, or Hospitality Services Administration. Prerequisite: 56 semester hours completed.
MTH 105
Intermediate Algebra
3
Rational and radical expressions and equations, integer and rational exponents, functions, graphs, systems of equations and inequalities, quadratic equations. Successful completion of this course satisfies the University Mathematics Competency requirement. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite: Placement or successful completion of MTH 101.
PSY 100
Introduction to Psychology
3
Survey of concepts, methods, and fields of psychology. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group III- A: Behavioral Sciences)
SOC 100
Introductory Sociology
3
Systematic introduction to the field of sociology, its theories, concepts, and methods. Explores social relationships within the context of social structure. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)