The Mission of the Community Health Program is to provide
student colleagues with a challenging and rewarding educational
experience and to prepare them, through the principles and
practices of Health Education, to effectively and compassionately
address health issues of the 21st century.
The Community Health major's courses and assignments are
based on the responsibilities and competencies required
of entry-level health educators as identified by the National
Center for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. The goals
of the Community Health major reflect these
responsibilities.
As a result of completing the Community Health major, students
are able to
¨ Assess Individual and Community Needs for Health
Education
¨ Plan Health Education Strategies,
Interventions, and Programs
¨ Implement Health Education Strategies,
Interventions, and Programs
¨ Conduct evaluation and research related to health
education
¨ Administer health education strategies, interventions,
and programs
¨ Serve as a health education resource person
¨ Communicate and advocate for health and health
education
Philosophically, the faculty of the Health Education Program
have planned and implemented a curriculum that focuses on
students
¨ Receiving a broad and interdisciplinary understanding
of the social and behavioral sciences, the natural sciences,
and educational pedagogy.
¨ Acquiring professionally recognized responsibilities
and competencies for the entry-level health educator.
¨ Understanding that health education competencies
emanate from three broad areas: a) the methods and processes
of health education practice; b) the content that embodies
major health issues confronting society; and c) the obligations
one assumes on becoming a professional health educator.
¨ Learning that Health Educators seek to promote integrity
in the delivery of health education and respect the fundamental
rights, dignity, and worth of all people by adapting strategies
and methodologies to the needs of diverse populations.
¨ Learning that Health Educators recognize decisions
about health are made at individual, family, community, and political levels.
¨ Forming professional networks with university campus
units (e.g., Primary Prevention and Wellness Center and
Lifestyle Advisors) to assist and support the promotion
of student health.
¨ Providing assistance and leadership to community-wide
institutions through service-learning activities that
support
their academic goals and promote the profession of Health
Education.
(Revised, February 2008)
