Program Description
Public 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.)
Public 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
(52 hours)
HSC 110
Introduction to Public Health
2
Introduction to Public Health focusing on current and emerging issues in the community. The course addresses appropriate responses to problems related to current health issues. This course may be offered in an online format.
HSC 203WI
Leadership for the Health Professions
3
Engages the student in exploring, understanding and applying leadership concepts, skills, and behaviors in personal and professional development for leading in the healthcare field. Writing Intensive.
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 221
Public Health Theory
2
The course builds on basic public health concepts and theory and how they are incorporated into intervention, design and evaluation of individual, group and communities. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisite: HSC 110.
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 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 325
Public Health Policy
3
The course presents an overview of public health policy issues, interventions, and the influence of the political, bureaucratic and social environments. This course may be offered in an online delivery format. Prerequisite: HSC 110; Pre/Co-requisites: HSC 221.
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 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 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.
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
This course covers diversity issues in order to help students become effective, multiculturally competent health practitioners. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: ATR 383 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.
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.
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
(6 hours)
Select from the following in consultation with an advisor:
COM 369
Health Communication
3
This course will assist students in increasing their understanding of communication skills applied to the health professions and healthcare settings.
Principles of normal nutrition as related to the health of all age groups. This course may be offered in an online format. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive 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 205
Responding to Emergencies
2
Includes CPR and first aid care. American Red Cross certification for first aid and CPR can be earned.
HSC 222
Sexuality in Health Education
3
Theory and practice in sexuality education within communities and schools. Emphasis is on legal implications, program requirements and implementation to meet national and state guidelines.
HSC 235
Psychoactive Drugs
3
The study of psychoactive drugs: what they are; how they work; and why people use and/or abuse them; and their impact on society. Not open to students with credit in HSC 528, 529, or 530. This course may be offered in an online format. Recommended: Any natural or social science course.
HSC 340
Curriculum & Planning School Health Programs
3
This course will enable health education students to develop planning skills for health programs in the school setting. Pre/Co-requisites: HSC 222 or 223 or 224.
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 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 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.