Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Community Health (BSCH) provides a broad-based foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and a fundamental knowledge of health education including the ability to assess health needs of diverse populations, and to plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs to reduce health risk behaviors and increase positive health behaviors.  The students are required to think critically, write clearly, and speak articulately.

The program is designed to prepare graduates to function as a health educator in schools, community health agencies and medical and fitness facilities in need of health educators to plan and implement health education programs for diverse individuals.  The BSCH will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings with diverse patients, families and communities.

Program Outcomes

The Community Health major prepares the graduate to be able to perform the following at entry level:

  • Demonstrate orally and in writing, knowledge and understanding of community health theory, and disciplinary concepts.
  • Use knowledge of the determinants of health behavior and health promotion in providing health prevention programs.
  • Use effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to promote health programs for the community.
  • Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
  • Investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
  • Educate and empower people to take action on health issues.
  • Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
  • Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
  • Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
  • Link individuals to needed healthcare services and assume that planning for provision for healthcare when unavailable.
  • Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of individual and population-based health services.
  • Critique and utilize research findings and research new ideas and innovative solutions to healthcare.
  • Use increasingly complex technologies in an appropriate and cost-effective manner.
  • Perform in ethically and culturally sensitive ways.
  • Use professional standards and make a commitment to lifelong learning.
Background Checks

Clinical agencies utilized by the School of Health and Human Services may require criminal background and/or drug screening prior to acceptance of the student into the clinical facilities.  Students who do not pass the criminal background check and/or drug test may be unable to attend the clinical course and therefore may be unable to complete the program of study.  Any fee or cost associated with background checks and/or drug testing is the responsibility of the student. 

Requirements

Degree Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Science in Community Health, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be in residence at National University and 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level.  In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree.  Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.

Preparation for the Major
(3 courses; 13.5 quarter units)

SCI 408     Introduction to Genetics and Heredity
                   (Recommended:  prior completion of SCI 100 & 100A, or equivalent)
HED 100   Personal Health
HED 110    First Aid and CPR

Requirements for the Major
(15 courses; 67.5 quarter units)

COH 300     Introduction to Community Health
                      (Prerequisites:  Preparation for the major courses)
COH 310     Culture and Health
COH 315     Introduction to Epidemiology
COH 320     Controlling Communicable Disease
                      (Prerequisites:  COH 315)
COH 370     Alternative Health Care
COH 380     Introduction to Program Planning and Evaluation
HED 400     Drug Use and Abuse
HED 408     Human Sexuality
COH 400     Environmental Health
HSC 410     Informatics for Health Professional
COH 420     Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations
COH 425     Health & Safety
HSC 420     Allied Health Research
                    (Prerequisite:  NSG 322)
HED 420     Human Disease
COH 494     Community Health Capstone Project
                     (Prerequisites:  Completion of 50 quarter units of required coursework)