Make an impact on the health of a community through the power of prevention.
Community health, often referred to as public health, is the applied science of protecting and promoting the health and wellness of individuals, families, and populations using evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs and policies. The field of community health is charged with assessing, understanding, and responding to the behavioral and ecological factors that influence the health of communities.
Community health challenges you to consider the biological, environmental, and social determinants of health. Within the interdisciplinary curriculum, you’ll explore health behaviors and policies through courses in personal health, global health, nutrition, psychology, biology, communication, research methods, and health promotion programming. Majors address contemporary health issues and the factors that influence them, including advocacy and equity.
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Take the next step toward completing your B.S. in Community Health degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Science in Community Health degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
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The community health major is interdisciplinary by nature: it covers the general biological, historical, economic and sociological contexts of health as well as important specific health issues such as nutrition, women's health, aging, disease prevention and substance abuse.
You will be challenged to consider the biological, environmental, social and cultural determinants of health and to investigate, research and develop prevention strategies to address community health risks.
Coursework
Coursework includes classes in global health and ethics, health promotion program and management, medical terminology, first aid emergency care and teaching. You also have the opportunity to choose from electives focusing on society and human behavior.
Courses cover the general biological, historical, economic and sociological contexts of health, as well as specific health issues. Coursework includes classes in global health and ethics, health promotion program and management, medical terminology, first aid emergency care and teaching. You also have the opportunity to choose from electives focusing on society and human behavior.
LR has been a huge help with my academics and finances. The eagerness within those who lend a helping hand to keep me on track is something I will not forget and is something I am forever grateful.
Given the current global health crisis, community health is more important than ever. As a community health professional, you will help maintain the well-being of the population. You will educate your community to stop the spread of viruses like COVID-19, and teach others to prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. You will help to better the quality of life for many.
Community health professionals also impact government policies and strive to make sure all people have equal access to programs that help them live longer, healthier lives.
Community health graduates may continue on in graduate studies, particularly in public health, healthcare, health education and wellness, or allied health.
Or you can move directly into a professional field in both the public and private sectors as an outreach specialist, program coordinator/manager/assistant, public health educator, community health advocate, violence prevention specialist, worksite wellness specialist, health equity/social justice advocate, health education & communication specialist, wellness program manager, or health administrator.
You will have many opportunities to integrate classroom theory with practical real world experiences. An extensive practicum is required for graduation which allows students to work with and learn from professionals in the field. Students gain invaluable experience working with community health agencies including (but not limited to) Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Caldwell County Health Department, Catawba Valley Medical Center, AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area Alliance (ALFA) and LR’s Solmaz Institute.
As a high achieving student, you may apply to become members of Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK) Honorary Society and participate in service learning on and off campus.
Dual Enrollment & Tuition Discounts
If you qualify and want to complete a master's degree in public health, you have an excellent opportunity at LR. Through our Bridges to Dreams and Alumni Advantage programs, qualified students may begin graduate work in their senior year, providing the opportunity for faster completion of two degrees. In addition, graduate tuition for LR alumni can be discounted. Refer to each program for additional details.
Community health, often referred to as public health, is the applied science of protecting and promoting the health and wellness of individuals, families, and populations using evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs and policies. The field of community health is charged with assessing, understanding, and responding to the behavioral and ecological factors that influence the health of communities.
Community health challenges you to consider the biological, environmental, and social determinants of health. Within the interdisciplinary curriculum, you'll explore health behaviors and policies through courses in personal health, global health, nutrition, psychology, biology, communication, research methods, and health promotion programming. Majors address contemporary health issues and the factors that influence them, including advocacy and equity.
On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific core curriculum requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.
All Bachelors programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 128 credit hours. If, in combination, core, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 128 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 128 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.
+ Students may submit documentation of current certification in CPR-First Aid to meet proficiency. This does not earn credit. 1 credit must be earned elsewhere in the program.
++For transfer students, other upper-level research methods courses may be submitted for credit as approved by Program Coordinator.
+++Some of these courses have required prerequisites, which must be completed prior to enrollment.
Related Programs
Learn more about our other undergraduate majors and minors.
LR faculty and students participate in a national program offered by Interfaith Youth core to address vaccine hesitancy and help improve access to vaccination for underserved communities.
