Community Health

B.S. in Health Education: Community Health and Human Services

Degree Requirements

The Department of Kinesiology is a learning community of caring, committed faculty, staff, and students dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service within the liberal arts tradition. Our innovative curricula and services focus on the interactions among human movement, personal growth, and wellness. We work with diverse populations in a variety of settings in order to promote healthy lifestyles and societal interactions.

The Department offers Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education with a track in Community Health and Human Services. The Community Health and Human Services program utilizes a mixture of classroom experiences and practical application opportunities. The curriculum consists of courses from a variety of disciplines including health education, health sciences, and behavioral sciences. Central to the program of study is applied service learning opportunities offered through a range of course projects, practicum settings, and internships. Students develop skills in a variety of areas including analysis of community health issues; health promotion program planning and implementation; and instructional methods.

What is a Health Educator?
Health educators are professionals who design, conduct, and
evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people.
These activities can take place in a variety of settings that
include schools, communities, health care facilities, businesses,
universities and government agencies. Health educators are
employed under a range of job titles such as patient educators,
health education teachers, health coaches, community
organizers, public health educators, and health program
managers (NCHEC.org).

Professional Competencies
There are Seven Areas of Responsibility consisting of a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies that are expected of an entry-level health educator. These include:

1. Assess individual and community needs for health education

2. Plan effective health education strategies, interventions,
and programs

3. Implement health education strategies, interventions, and
programs

4. Conduct evaluation and research related to health education

5. Administer health education strategies, interventions, and
programs

6. Serve as a health education resource person

7. Communicate and advocate for health and health education

These Responsibilities were established by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. These guide the Health Education: Community Health and Human Services curriculum at Georgia College and serve as the basis of the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. Specialists are those who have met the standards of competence and have successfully passed the CHES examination. The CHES designation after a health educator's name is one indication of professional competency and commitment to continued professional development.

What can you do with a degree in Community Health and Human Services?
Students graduating from the Community Health and Human Services program are prepared for a career in public health, community health, social services, corporate wellness, and patient education settings.

Potential Settings

Non Profit Organizations (American Red Cross, American Cancer Society)
Federal, state, & local health agencies (health departments, health districts, CDC)
Hospitals and clinics
Worksite Wellness Programs
Colleges & Universities
Social Service Agencies
Youth-serving agencies: Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Boys and Girls club
Nursing Homes

Potential work-related activities

Monitor health status to identify community health problems
Diagnose, investigate health problems, health hazards in the community
Inform, educate, empower people about health issues
Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems
Develop policies, plans that support individual and community health efforts
Enforce laws, regulations that protect health, ensure safety
Link people to needed health services
Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality health services
Conduct research for innovative solutions to health problems

Beneficial Skills

Computer technology
Organization & record keeping skills
Able to work independently & as a team
Report writing, grant writing
Teaching, assessing, planning, and evaluating
Interpersonal Skills
Individual/Group health counseling skills
Knowledge of community health issues
Marketing, public relations
Research
Community organizing

For further information on professional opportunities in Health Education, read: "Health Educators Working for Wellness" (pdf) by Colleen Teixeira, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Summer 2007.

Is Health Education right for me?
Are you concerned about your health and the health of others? Are you a caring person who likes working with people? Would you enjoy motivating individuals to achieve healthy lifestyle behaviors? Can you see yourself working with community members to help reduce health or social problems? If so, then Health Education might be the right career choice for you.

Contact Information
Dr. Barbara Funke, CHES
118 Parks Memorial Building
Campus Box 112
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone (478) 445-4072
Fax (478) 445-1790
barbara.funke@gcsu.edu