Community Health, B.S.
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.
Get StartedTake the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Science in Community Health degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
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.
Lenoir-Rhyne is supporting my education in community health by allowing me to be enrolled in various classes with ranging topics, which allows me to grasp better what community health is as a whole.
Make a Difference in the Lives of Others
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Influence Healthier Communities
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.
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Graduate School & Career Opportunities
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.
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Outside the Classroom
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.
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Phi Epsilon Kappa Honorary Society
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 Accelerated Master's Degrees 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.
Admission & Financial Aid
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Undergraduate AdmissionOur admission team is here to assist you in making the college search process as easy as possible. Our counselors are happy to provide the information and guidance you need to submit your application, apply for financial aid and scholarships, visit and tour our campus.
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Financial AidWe recognize that paying for college is a top concern for students and their families. Our financial aid staff is here to provide you with financial aid options and assistance to help you achieve your educational goals.
Major Requirements
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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General Education Requirements (37 hours)
Graduation Requirements (4 hours)
- Technical Requirements (7-8 Hours)
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Major Requirements (34 Hours)
- HES 287 - Personal Health
- HES 325 - Community Health
- HES 335 - Communicating and Advocating for Health
- HES 385 - Research in Health Exercise and Sport Science
- HES 425 - Health Promotion Programming and Evaluation
- Choose three topic-focused electives from the following:
- HES 288 - Nutrition
- HES 373 - Women's Wholeness
- HES 435 - Methods in Health Education
- HES 451 - Human Sexuality
- HES 452G - Global Health & Ethics
- HES 453 - Application of Theories
- Choose two Society/Behavior/Leadership electives from the following:
- BSB 363 - Leadership Foundations in Organizations
- BUS 426 - Leadership Development
- HCS 250G - Multicultural Perspectives
- POL 351 - Public Policy
- PSY 320 - Lifespan Development
- PSY 328 - Health Psychology
- PSY 374 - Drugs and Behavior
- Practicum (required 4 hours)
- HES 455 - Community Health Practicum I
- HES 456 - Community Health Practicum II
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General Elective Credits
(If Needed)
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Total Credit Hours (Minimum) 128
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.
News & Events
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.
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The Alumni Association recognized five LR graduates for their extraordinary service to their communities and the world around them at an April 12 ceremony.
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