Community Health Services

About the Program

The field of community health examines how health issues are impacted by social, behavioral and environmental factors. Professionals in community health work to advance health promotion efforts in a variety of international and national organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO); the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); state and local health departments; community-based organizations, corporate wellness programs; voluntary organizations and health care facilities.

The Community Health Services program provides students with a thorough knowledge of a wide range of health  

issues. Students in this program learn how to assess the health needs of various groups as well as how to design, implement and evaluate health programs to respond to identified health needs. Students who complete this four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science in Health (BSH). Many choose to continue their education by obtaining the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential and/or by pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) or other related degrees.

Graduates are employed around the world in both non-profit and for-profit organizations, including hospitals, worksites, community-based organizations, governmental (international, national, state and local) agencies, non-governmental organizations and health departments.

Admission

Admission requirements for the Community Health Services program are the same as those established for admission to Ohio University in
general. There are no special prerequisites needed to declare a major in the program. The major can be designated on the application when applying for admission to Ohio University. Current students can request to enter the major by visiting the Student Services Office of the College of Health Sciences and Professions at W370 Grover Center.

Course Overview
Students in the Community Health Services program can expect to take courses that cover these topics:

• Introduction to public health
• Foundations in health education
• Medical terminology
• Introduction to environmental health and safety
• Health behavior theory in public and community health
• Community health epidemiology
• Program planning, implementation and evaluation
• Grant writing for public health sciences
• Applied service learning in rural community health

Program Contact

Department of Social and Public Health
Ohio University
W324 Grover Center
Athens, OH 45701-2979

740.593.4675