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Community Health

 

Occupational Possibilities

The Community Health major at KU focuses on the National Health Education Standards, the ten content areas of Health, and the six Adolescent Health Risk Factors. 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. They learn to assess individual and community need for health education, to plan, implement, and evaluate effective health education programs, to coordinate the provision of health education services, and to act as a resource person in health education and community health. Some community health majors choose to continue to graduate school in community or public health, dietetics and nutrition, medicine, or other healthcare fields. Following are some examples of job titles that community health majors might have in the workplace. Those marked with an asterisk (*) generally require additional training or education.

Government

  • Health Educator
  • *Health center administrator
  • *Nutrition specialist
  • Health and environment inspector
  • Environmental Health Scientist
  • *Epidemiologist
  • Public relations specialist
  • Health policy specialist
  • Health promotions specialist
  • *Program Evaluation Analyst
  • Public health educator

Not-for-profit Organizations

  • Grant Writer
  • Director of Development/Fundraising
  • Event Planner
  • Outreach Coordinator
  • Director of Educational Programs
  • Executive Director
  • Director of Wellness Education
  • Director of Volunteer Services
  • Substance Abuse Specialist/Counselor
  • Social service worker
  • Adoption specialist
  • Consumer Information Director

For-profit healthcare agencies and companies

  • Wellness Coordinator
  • Human Resources Benefits Coordinator
  • Risk Management Director
  • *Dietician
  • Nursing Home Activities Director
  • Director of Quality Assurance
  • *Physician
  • Health Promotion Coordinator
  • Pharmaceutical or medical equipment sales representative
  • Health consultant/counselor
  • Health insurance representative




 

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Skills and Abilities

Communication/Program development

  • Promote good health and wellness
  • Develop promotional campaigns
  • Effectively communicate health needs and concerns
  • Plan effective programs
  • Creating promotional materials – print and other media
  • Organize promotional events

Evaluation and Analysis

  • Assess individual and community needs
  • Evaluate program effectiveness
  • Analyze health care trends and policies
  • Use technology in analysis and programming
  • Use the scientific method

Presentation

  • Develop strong public speaking and presentation skills
  • Present effective educational programs
  • Use technology in effective presentations
  • Develop targeted informational presentations
  • Adapt to wide variety of audiences

Management

  • Facilitate behavior changes
  • Work well with diverse populations and settings
  • Coordinate provision of educational services
  • Work with other professionals in a teamwork setting

 

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Career Planning and Resources

Internships

An internship for credit is required for completion of the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Community Health at KU. For more information, see the Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences website [http://www.soe.ku.edu/hses/]. Additional part-time, volunteer, or internship positions may help you be better qualified to enter a full-time position upon graduation. A few sites where you might find these opportunities are below.

Job Search

Professional Associations

For More Information

About careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions, contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For more information about the Community Health major at KU and required internships, contact:

http://www.soe.ku.edu/hses/ - Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences (HSES)
Robinson Center, Rm. 161
(785) 864-5552

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