The Public Health and Community health education major is an interdisciplinary program
that trains students to be the front-line leaders on the front-line of public health
locally and nationwide. Public Health is population based and focuses on the promotion
and protection of health as well the reduction of health disparities thereby improving
the quality of life. Students in this program will acquire the tools to be effective
educators and advocates through the study of social theories, biological basis of
disease and the analysis and implementation of policies and communications strategies
that influence the health status of individuals, communities, states and the nation.
We are committed to advancing the health and well-being of our region and the world. Our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of public health leaders with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to promote health equity, prevent disease, and build resilient communities.
The program’s goals are to:
With an aging population, abysmal maternal mortality rates, increased prevalence of many chronic disease compounded by escalating medical costs, there is a demand for community health educators who develop and implement strategies that address the health needs of the public.
Health educators:
An undergraduate major in Public Health and Community Health Education is excellent preparation for those planning to pursue graduate or professional studies in the public health and/or clinical health professions.
Many of the courses are taught by faculty which houses the major in Public Health and Community Health Education. Related majors in the department are Biology and Health Sciences, and students in Public Health and Community Health Education can earn a minor in Health and Society.
The Public Health and Community Health Education program includes courses from a variety of fields, including public health, biology, psychology, communication, environmental science, political science and sociology, a true liberal arts education.
The acquired knowledge and skills enable students to apply for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification exam upon graduation. Health Educators need a bachelor’s degree and often employers prefer this credential.
The Public Health and Community Health Education program includes courses from a variety of fields, including biology, psychology and sociology. The required courses are as follows:
A sample 4-year plan showing a possible sequence of courses in this major. In addition, MCLA in 4 plans are available with the Public Health, or Health and Society minors.
An internship is a required component of the Public Health and Community Health Education
degree. Through this experience, students will gain hands-on experience in implementing
a community health project. Below are some of the locations that hosted our interns
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in independent research, additional internships and other experiences that emphasize independent work and demonstration of professional skills. Students can complete additional internships beyond the one required for the program, and students can start working with faculty on research projects as early as their first year at MCLA.
Graduates of the PHCH program either enter the workforce or continue their education in public health such as MPH programs in Epidemiology or PH nutrition and Communication at George Washington University.
Between the small class sizes (our ratio 16:1), carefully crafted curriculum, dedicated faculty and research and internship opportunities, you will be well prepared for a job upon graduation or continued studies at the graduate level.
As a Public Health and Community Health Education student, you will learn how to design, implement and assess health interventions to improve health, safety and quality of life people in your community. You will acquire the rudimentary statistical and epidemiological skills to assess health pattern and trends, design and evaluate the efficacy of health communication campaigns and promote social justice using social and behavioral framework.
MCLA’s Public Health and Community Health Education program will prepare you for a variety of roles within the high-growth public health education field, including:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, community health educators are employed at a variety of settings, such as:
*Since May 2015 Massachusetts was one of the top five states for employment of community health workers
The Public Health and Community Health Education curriculum is aligned to the competencies defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing for Health Educator Specialists. This program also aligns with the educational requirements for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination, offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. While it is not mandatory, becoming CHES certified means that you are professionally competent based on national standard and have also demonstrated a commitment to continued professional development. Recently, there has been an increase in employers requiring or preferring the CHES certification for health education positions. Many positions read CHES preferred.
Yes, Yes and Yes. Public Health and Community Health Education covers many tenets of Public Health and meets the core competencies outlined by the ASSPH. MCLA’s courses are designed to provide the foundation you will need to pursue a Master of Public health (MPH).
