We are pleased that you have expressed an interest in becoming a member of the growing number of professionals involved in community health. Community Health is a service-oriented profession with a variety of career opportunities that can make meaningful contributions to the health and welfare of the individual and society. Today, with the emphasis on prevention rather than solely on treating the ill, many institutions are developing health promotion and wellness programs for community members. Currently, the job market in Community Health is excellent.

The Department of Public and Community Health prepares students to effectively plan, develop, implement and evaluate community health education programs. Students explore a comprehensive body of knowledge and a variety of strategies and experiences that encourage professional growth and development.

The primary goal and sub-goals of the Department are based upon the competency-based recommendations of the National Task Force on the Preparation and Practice of Health Educators, Inc.

What Graduates Do

The Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health prepares graduates for a variety of professional opportunities:

• Health Agencies:
  The American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, and many other health agencies employ Community Health Specialists. Job functions might include: designing and implementing educational programs, developing screening programs and community awareness programs; community outreach and service; fund raising projects to enhance educational concerns of the agency; and supervision of volunteer workers.
  
• Worksite Health Promotion:
  With a bachelors degree in Community Health an individual can seek employment in a variety of work related settings - corporate wellness programs, environmental worksites, HMO's, as well as hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Health educators serve in a number of capacities - designing, implementing and evaluating health programs in areas such as stress management, personal training, nutrition, worksite safety, and smoking cessation.
  
• Hospitals:
  Hospital based health educators provide health promotion programs and courses to the community in many areas such as: child-birth, parenting, stress management, weight control, cancer prevention, low back pain, hypertension, diabetes, and fitness. If you are interested in public relations, media advocacy, organization and management, teaching, implementing new health-oriented courses, and evaluating their effectiveness, a hospital setting may be the place for you.
  
• Government:
  Alumni from the Community Health program have held positions at NIH within such institutes and offices such as Cancer Research; Child Health; AIDS; Heart, Lung and Blood. Other government agencies in which our alumni have held positions are the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, Office for Substance Abuse Prevention and the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drugs.
  
• Research and Development Organizations:
  Private organizations in the area (MACRO, WESTAT, Prospect Associates) employ Community Health Specialists to become involved in activities such as grant writing and program development for NIH (programs in Breast Cancer Awareness, Dental Health, Drug Abuse, Hypertension, etc.)

Additional Information for prospective students is available regarding Application Forms, Admission Requirements, the University of Maryland, Academic and Financial resources, and Student Life.