Community Health, BS
Prepare for the dynamic field of public health with Mason’s BS in Community Health. You’ll explore all aspects of public health, including community health, global health, health education, health promotion, advocacy, program planning, and epidemiology. This program provides a solid foundation for students who are ready for entry-level positions, pursue graduate degrees in public health, or go on to advanced training in various health professions upon graduation
Med School Prep
Build a strong foundation in public health while meeting the prerequisites for medical school and other health professions (PA, PT, Dentistry) with the Clinical Science Concentration. See more below.
Interprofessional
Gain an interprofessional education that will prepare you to work in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver the best health outcomes for all.
Accreditation
The Community Health, BS is a Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH)-accredited program. CEPH accreditation assures quality in public health education and training to achieve excellence in practice, research, and service.
Concentrations
You may complete an optional concentration in Clinical Science, Global Health, Nutrition, or Physical Activity and Public Health. Selection of a concentration is not required. Compare concentrations here.
Clinical Science Concentration
Prepare for graduate clinical training in health profession fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, occupational and physical therapy, and pharmacy. This concentration provides you with the flexibility to design your curriculum to satisfy prerequisites for these programs. Be sure to check coursework requirements for your desired health profession because such requirements vary.
Global Health Concentration
Focus on understanding diseases and other health security threats reflecting the new global landscape (e.g. tobacco use and obesity) and emerging pandemics (COVID-19, avian influenza, Ebola, etc.). This concentration is designed for students interested in public health at the global level and is particularly focused on improving health conditions in less developed countries.
Nutrition Concentration
Gain a strong knowledge base in factors affecting individual, community, and global nutrition. This concentration is intended for students interested in strengthening nutritional health in various communities. You’ll learn the tools to plan effective interventions tailored to individuals, communities, and different cultural, gender, and age groups.
Physical Activity and Public Health Concentration
Numerous public health burdens such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression can be prevented, delayed, or managed with proper physical activity. Learn to effectively advocate for policies, programs, and legislation that enables equitable opportunities for physical activity across all levels of society. The completion of this concentration prepares you to take the Physical Activity and Public Health Specialist certification.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are designated by the academic year during which they were published in the University Catalog. Students are responsible for meeting the degree requirements that were stipulated in the catalog at the time of enrollment into the BS in Community Health program. Links for degree requirements from previous academic years can be found in the archive of undergraduate catalogs.
Program of Study
Students must complete 120 credits of undergraduate course work. A minimum grade of C must be obtained in all courses in the major including those courses required for an optional concentration. Students should make an appointment with an academic advisor upon being accepted into the program and before registering for courses each semester.
Outcomes
As a community health student, you’ll acquire the skills necessary to develop, apply, and evaluate evidenced-based approaches to improving public health. Also, to make you more competitive in the job market, as a graduate in our major, you qualify to take the Certified Health Education (CHES) exam, which provides you with an additional professional credential.
Mason community health alumni are expected to confront complex behavioral, cultural, and social challenges affecting populations. They are employed in a variety of professional settings, including local, state, and federal health and social service agencies, non-governmental health organizations, health care delivery, and private industry. Recent graduates have titles including: Public Health Analyst, Community Health Worker, Research Assistant, and Wellness Coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to major in public health, but I don’t see it listed. Is the BS in Community Health recognized as an undergraduate public health degree?
Yes! Our BS in Community Health is accredited and recognized by the Council on Education for Public Health as a public health degree. This is the major you want if you are interested in public health.
How do I become a Community Health major?
The How to Declare or Change Your Major page reviews the steps needed to declare or change your major. You must meet with an academic advisor in the College of Public Health about your plan to change into, declare, or add the BS in Community Health as a second major. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
How do I know which concentration in the Community Health major is right for me?
Deciding on which – if any – concentration is right for you is an individual choice based on your interests and career goals. Compare concentrations here. We encourage you to review each concentration’s full requirements in the University Catalog and talk with your academic advisor. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
I am a current Community Health major. How do I add or change my concentration?
To add or change a concentration in the Community Health major, meet with your academic advisor in the Office of Student Affairs. Compare concentrations here. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
What is the difference between a concentration and a minor?
A concentration is part of your major. The concentrations for the BS in Community Health are between 39-46 credits. While a minor also digs deeper into a topic, they are between 18-19 credits.
The BS in Community Health has four concentrations: Global Health, Clinical Science, Nutrition, and Physical Activity and Public Health. Compare concentrations here.
The Department of Global and Community Health offers three minors: Global Health, Physical Activity in Public Health, and Public Health. Compare minors here.
You should speak with your academic advisor to determine which program is right for you and will be the best fit for your interests and career goals. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health. View the BS, Community Health requirements in the University Catalog.
Who enrolls in the minors offered in the Department of Global and Community Health?
Typically, students in majors other than Community Health enroll in the department’s minors. If you are interested in adding a minor to your program of study, make sure to discuss your plans with a College of Public Health academic advisor. If you are a current Community Health major who is looking for a minor, here is a list of minors you might be interested in. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
How do I add a GCH minor (Global Health, Public Health, or Physical Activity in Public Health) to my current degree program?
If you want to add a GCH minor to your current degree program, you should first discuss it with your undergraduate advisor. You will need the signature of an advisor in the College of Public Health. Learn more about adding a minor.
I am a Community Health major. What should I minor in?
Community Health majors have minors in academic departments across the university. Here is a list of minors that might interest you. Learn more about how to add a minor to your degree program.
I am a Community Health major. Who is my academic advisor?
Community Health majors can meet with any academic advisor in the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Public Health. Appointments can be made online. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
I am a current Community Health major. How do I know what courses I need to take?
You can access your specific degree requirements through the following ways:
- Logging into Degree Works.
- Reviewing the Program Planning and Advising Sheets for their academic year.
- Meeting with an academic advisor in the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Public Health. Learn more about undergraduate advising in the College of Public Health.
What do graduates of the BS in Community Health go on to do?
As an interdisciplinary degree with a strong liberal arts foundation, the BS in Community Health is a flexible degree that allows graduates to pursue careers in a variety of settings. Many graduates go on to attend graduate school in public health, medicine, and psychology.
Graduates of our BS in Community Health have titles including:
- Community Health Worker
- Health Educator
- Public Health Analyst
- Public Health Program Specialist
- Research Assistant
- Wellness Coordinator
Am I eligible for any professional certifications based on the BS in Community Health?
Yes! Many graduates of the BS in Community Health choose to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam. For more information about the CHES® exam and becoming certified, visit the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing website.
Students who choose the Physical Activity and Public Health concentration are also eligible to sit for the Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS) exam. A PAPHS develops key partnerships to establish legislation, policies and programs that promote physical activity with a focus on the public health setting for people all over the country. For more information about the PAPHS exam and becoming certified, visit the American College of Sports Medicine website.