Community Health
The School of Education offers a BSE in Community Health. Community Health prepares students to effectively educate individuals, families, and communities about health issues. They are prepared for employment providing health education-related services in non-school agencies such as health care facilities, local, state, and national health agencies, and international health agencies in the government, for-profit, and not-for-profit sectors.
Community Health Department website
Sample of Related Skills
- Assess community needs and planning and evaluating health programs
- Interpret quantitative and qualitative research findings in the medical, nursing, public health and social science literature
- Examine the principal determinants of health problems facing the world’s populations within social, economic and political contexts
- Identify biological, behavioral and social principals of health promotion and disease prevention across the life span
- Describe the interactions between biological, psychological, environmental and cultural factors influencing public health and disease prevention strategies
- Examine healthcare policy, finance and regulatory environments, with attention to healthcare disparities
- Communicate and conduct presentations on public health problems, determinants and evidence-based interventions
Popular Career Paths
Individual and Community Health: Involves the promotion, maintenance, and improvement of individual and community health by assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy lifestyles and behaviors
Environmental or Occupational Health: Involves the evaluation and examination of all aspects of the natural and/or work environment that may affect human health as well as the development and implementation of programs and procedures that prevent disease or injury
Disease Prevention and Management: Involves the examination of the factors affecting the health and illness of populations and the development of prevention and control methods
Jobs to Consider
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Community Relations Specialist |
Health Promotions Specialist Coordinator
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Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
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Places to Seek Employment
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Adoption Agencies Birthing Centers College/University Health Centers Community Outreach Programs Corporate Wellness Programs Crisis Intervention Agencies |
Drug/Alcohol Centers Federal Agencies Fitness Facilities Home Health Agencies Hospitals
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International Health Organizations Local and State Health Departments Long-term Care Facilities Non-Profit Organizations Nursing Homes
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View specific employers by state.
Employment Strategies
- Gain direct experience within the areas that interest you most through research projects, independent study, internships, part-time jobs, student organization involvement, or volunteering.
- Register for HireJayhawks.com and subscribe to the Internship Newsletter to receive automated weekly emails with specific internship information.
- Consider obtaining the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification.
- Become involved in health programming on campus through resources like the KU Center for Community Outreach, KU Student Health Services, KU Recreation Services.
- Consider getting involved with a student organization at KU related to your area of interest, such as: Community Health Club, Hawks for Health, Recreation Services Student Staff Ambassadors, Peer Health Educators, and Student Health Advisory Board.
- Develop your resume and tailor it to your area(s) of interest: sample resume (pdf).
- Consider obtaining your First Aid and CPR certification.
- Develop strong public speaking and presentation skills.
- Consider joining community health-related professional associations and, if possible, attend local and/or regional conferences to make connections with professionals working in your field of interest.
- Earn a minor or take additional coursework outside your major when relevant.
- Some career paths listed above may require an advanced degree. To help you determine if a graduate degree will be necessary to reach your specific career goals, schedule an appointment with a career coach at the UCC or with your academic advisor.
Job & Internship Search Resources
- American Association for Health Education - networking, professional development, and programming opportunities in health education
- A Guide to Public Health Careers - information about industries and sectors that attract public health professionals
- American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - health education job and internship opportunities
- American Public Health Association - job and internship opportunities in public health
- Explore Health Careers.org - community health worker career overview
- Idealist.org - local, national, and international internships in non-profit and government organizations
- KU Center for Community Outreach - local volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas, including poverty, seniors and youth
- Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department - job opportunities with LDCHD
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing - public health job postings by state
- Non-Profit Connect - local non-profit job and internship opportunities as well as non-profit career resources
- Public Health Online - information on specialty public health careers including salary tools, career path timelines, and job resources
- USAJOBS - full-time, part-time, and internship listings with the federal government
The quick link for this page is career.ku.edu/communityhealth.
Go back to Careers & KU Majors homepage.
