Clarkson College

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Program:
Community Health

Degree Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Community Health

Length of Program:
8–10 semesters

Application Deadlines:
Accepted year-round
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Set yourself apart from other health professional school applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health. 

Degree Overview

A Bachelor’s degree in Community Health focusing on the Pre-Health Professional track expands your knowledge of health-related fields and prepares you to serve diverse populations. To supplement the required math and science courses needed for application to graduate schools, students select one of the following concentrations: Gerontology, Human Services, Public Health, Women’s Health or Healthcare Business. These courses provide meaningful insight and experience in a specialized patient population.

The Pre-Health Professional track includes a blend of on-campus and online courses and is designed for a variety of individuals.

  • Students interested in applying to a medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or physician assistant program
  • Students who want to stand out from other applicants and rise above the competition
  • Students who are just starting their health care education career or those desiring a career change

The interdisciplinary curriculum of the Community Health program includes courses that address vulnerable populations, health literacy and patient advocacy, legal and ethical implications, environmental and cultural influences on health, trauma informed care, and grant writing. As you move deeper within the program, you will select from the following concentrations to increase your knowledge base:  

  • Gerontology  
  • Human Services  
  • Public Health
  • Women's Health
  • Healthcare Business  

In the final two semesters of the program, you will integrate classroom material with hands-on experience at an agency or organization of your choice. This 90-hour fieldwork component allows you to work in and observe all aspects of the agency, develop advanced skills, apply concepts from your classes, and gain practical experience in your chosen concentration. You will develop a project that incorporates your course work and fieldwork experiences in the capstone course taken during your final semester.  

Clarkson College Advantage 

When you enroll in the Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Pre-Health Professional track, you will automatically be enrolled in the Clarkson College Advantage program, which will continue throughout your time at the institution. This program empowers students to explore a variety of health professions with the guidance of dedicated advisors to help each step of the way.  

You will have the opportunity to meet regularly with your peers to foster a sense of community and belonging, engage with leaders in the profession through job shadowing, site visits and interviews, and hear from local health care and community professionals about what it takes to be successful and positively impact the lives of others.  

How we prepare
the best

  • Participate in the Clarkson College Advantage program to explore a variety of health professions with the guidance of dedicated advisor.
  • Choose from concentrations in Gerontology, Human Services, Public Health, Women’s Health and Healthcare Business.
  • Complete coursework on campus and online with flexible part- or full-time study options.
  • Select fieldwork in your area of interest.

Required Courses for Bachelor of Science in Community Health

General Education Courses

12 / 13 semester hours Post-Associate and Post-Bachelor's degree students will receive up to 12 direct transfer credits in this section.

Courses Semester Hours
EN 101 - English Composition I 3
EN 102 - English Composition II 3
PY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3
MA 130 - College Algebra 3
GEN 101 - Strategies for Success 1

Total Semester Hours 12/13*

*GEN 101 only required for New Student Experience or Conditional Acceptance

Support Courses

(25 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
GEN 105 - Medical Terminology 1
BI 122 - Nutrition Science 3
BU 140 - Healthcare Delivery Systems 2
SO 220 - Medical Sociology 2
CHL 244 - Vulnerable Populations 3
CHL 243 - Trauma Informed Care 3
HM 180 - Essentials of Pharmacology 2
ST 310 - Statistics 3
CHL 248 - Introduction to Grant Writing 2
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology 3
CHL elective 1
Total Semester Hours 25
Healthcare Core

Students choose one course from each of the following Core groups (9 semester hours): Intercultural Communication (IC) Humanities (HU) Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy (EA)

Courses Semester Hours
◊ IC Core - Intercultural Communication 3
HU Core - Humanities 3
EA Core - Ethics, Empathy and Advocacy 3
Total Semester Hours 9
Major Courses

(4 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
◊ CHL 400 - Community Health Fieldwork (concentration related) 2
CHL 401 - Community Health Capstone (concentration related) 2
Total Semester Hours 4

Additional Major Courses

Concentrations (choose one 18-hour concentrations; Occupational Therapy will choose two)

Public Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
BU 470 - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
CHL 250 - Epidemiology 3
CHL 251 - Environmental Risk Factors and Disease 3
CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
ST 410 - Advanced Statistics for Public Healthcare 3
CHL 355 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Human Services Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
PY 200 - Human Development 3
CHL 266 - Social Policy and Human Services 3
CHL 245 - Family Dynamics 1
EA 210 - American Poverty and Healthcare 3
CHL 252 - Information and Referral 2
CHL 249 - Crisis Intervention 1
CHL 253 - Understanding the Criminal Justice System 2
CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Gerontology Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
HC 220 - Gerontology 2
CHL 241 - Programs, Services and Policies in Aging 3
EA 205 - Death and Dying 3
CHL 330 - Health and Physical Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 333 - Psychological and Social Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 334 - Managing Care of the Older Adult 3
CHL 335 - Seminar in Gerontology 1
Total Semester Hours 18
Women’s Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 260 - Evolution of Women’s Health 3
CHL 261 - Women’s Health in Contemporary Society 3
CHL 265 - Literary Perspectives of Women’s Health 3
CHL 362 - Global Issues in Women’s Health 3
CHL 364 - Mental Health of Women Throughout the Lifespan 3
CHL 365 - Mammography 1
CHL 366 - Pharmacology in Women's Health 1
CHL 367 - Preventative & Restorative Topics for Women 1
Total Semester Hours 18
Healthcare Business Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
HM 218 - Data Analysis and Visualization 3
BU 375 - Concepts of Leadership 2
BU 357 - Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management 4
BU 262 - Business Communication and Marketing 3
Total Semester Hours 12
Healthcare Business Electives

Students choose two of the following electives:

Courses Semester Hours
BU 425 - Project Management 3
BU 470 - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
BU 420 - Long-Term Care Management 3
HM 360 - Compliance and Legal Applications 3
BU 335 - Managing Healthcare Departments 3
HM 333 - Classification Systems and Reimbursement Methodologies 3
BU 411 - Operations and Quality Management 3
BU 318 - Human Resources and Organizational Behavior 3

Health Science Concentration (will be tailored specifically to the program student is pursuing; visit links below for a more detailed list of courses typically required by each professional program)

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2021-22 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
Learn More

Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
Learn More

Undergraduate Tuition

Cost per Credit Hour
$620

Cost per Semester
$7,590 - Full-time (12 hrs)
$3,795 - Part-time (6 hrs)

View Tuition & Fees Breakdown

Tuition
Undergraduate Tuition$620 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Application Fee for first time students $25/ each
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
Lab Fee - General Education $40/ class
Interprofessional education – IPE Course Fee IPE 301 $99/ student

Career Overview

Median Salary

Median Salary: $47,000 (Community Health worker, Payscale.com, 2019)

If you were to be accepted into and successfully complete the health profession of your choosing, potential median salaries are as follows:

  • Family Physician: $147,000
  • General Dentist: $121,000
  • Physician Assistant: $103,000
  • Pharmacist: $94,000
  • Physical Therapist: $59,000
  • Occupational Therapist: $56,000

Source: Payscale.com, 2021

Job Outlook

  • Medical doctor: Grow 4% from 2019 to 2029
  • Dentist: Grow 3% from 2019 to 2029
  • Physical Therapist: Grow 18% from 2019 to 2029
  • Occupational Therapist: Grow 16% from 2019 to 2029
  • Physician Assistant: Grow 31% from 2019 to 2029

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

Career Options

  • Administration
  • Educational settings
  • Environmental health agencies
  • Correctional institutions
  • Grant writing
  • Health departments
  • Health & wellness centers
  • Home health, palliative care & hospice agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Independent, Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Insurance companies
  • Medical clinics
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Public policy & government
  • Public safety & disaster relief organizations
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Research
  • Shelters
  • Social service agencies
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Women’s health agencies

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.