The mission of the Health Science Department and its undergraduate and graduate programs is to aid and encourage students' development into competent professionals and life-long learners who are responsible for community health/public health disciplines, including health education and related areas. The program fosters the development of health professionals who are person-centered and sensitive to the diverse qualities and the changing face of the health care delivery system of our society. Upon graduation, our students are able to facilitate the physical, psychological, and social well being of people individually and collectively in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic metropolitan context.

Community Health Education

The Community Health Education Option is designed for individuals interested in the links among lifestyle, social and physical environments, and good health. The occupational objective of those selecting this option is to serve as a community health educator in public or private health care agencies, voluntary organizations, medical clinics or corporate settings. Health educators use a variety of communication strategies, policy implementations, teaching methods and creative learning experiences to promote voluntary actions, and informed decisions conducive to health. Health educators are specifically trained to:

Assess health education needs.
Provide communication regarding the distribution and determinants of disease and injury.
Plan, develop, implement, manage and evaluate health education programs
Participate in social planning, advocacy, and coalition building.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Alumni of the Department are leaders in public health and health education. Students who major in Health Science may choose to pursue careers in teaching, program planning, or administration in a wide variety of settings including:

secondary schools, community colleges/universities
local and county health departments and agencies
volunteer agencies such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Planned Parenthood
hospitals and health clinics
industrial corporations
health maintenance organizations
community-based organizations