Bachelor’s Degree in
Community Health and Wellness

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Study Options

On Campus
Online
Hybrid

It may seem obvious, but advances in public health are only effective if they’re available to the public: not just for some people, but for everyone. To create a healthier, more equitable society, we need well-trained advocates for community healthcare. With a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community Health and Wellness from our School of Allied Health Professions, you can be one of those advocates.

That advocacy can take many different forms. You might help develop public policy aimed at providing community health services; you might launch a public awareness campaign around disease prevention; you might serve as a health and wellness educator in a community health setting.

Public health issues like chronic disease, drug and alcohol abuse, and gun violence may affect some communities more than others, but that can change. It just takes people with the drive, and the skills, to make change happen. Read on to learn how a BS in Community Health and Wellness can help you build those skills — and help you build a great career in service to others.

Find Out About Our Online Community Health and Wellness Bachelor's Degree

Why a Major in Community Health and Wellness?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that some jobs for Community Health majors could increase by two times the average for all occupations. Community health workers and health education specialists, for example, could grow by up to 12% in the coming years. Many of them will be right here in New York metro area.

At our School of Allied Health Professions, you can earn your degree in the place where it all happens. You won’t just learn the skills you’ll need to thrive as a community health professional; with supervised internships, you’ll have access to opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Curriculum

The instructors at the School of Allied Health Professions are both professors and practitioners. They’ve worked on public health issues as advocates, policymakers, epidemiologists, and more. When you earn your BS degree at Monroe, you get to learn from their experience. Through project-based learning opportunities, you’ll learn about:

Research methodologies in healthcare
Community health services
Designing and implementing evidence-based community health programs
Health services administration
Principles of epidemiology (the study of how and why diseases occur in populations)
Cultural competency in healthcare

You’ll also be able to sharpen your focus with a choice of electives specific to your interests, in subjects like juvenile delinquency; race, ethnicity, and health; child and maternal health; reproductive health; and HIV/AIDS in society. You’ll also develop the communication, leadership, and administrative skills you’ll need to promote healthy living in diverse communities of all kinds.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Community Health Bachelor’s Degree?

The Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health and Wellness takes eight (8) semesters to complete. As a full-time student, you could finish your degree in less than three (3) years on Monroe’s three (3)-semester academic calendar.

Community Health Degree Requirements:

120 total credits

60 credits of major-related courses (including required field experience)
60 credits of general education and related courses

The School of Allied Health Professions also offers flexible scheduling alternatives, with both fully online and hybrid study options.

See the Curriculum

Featured Course

Research Methodologies in Healthcare

Effective policy decisions depend on effective public health research. In this course, students will learn about the science of public health: defining research problems, designing and testing hypotheses, conducting literature reviews, developing procedures for data collection and reporting, designing surveys, and analyzing data. Students will also apply what they learn to create practical initiatives aimed at serving the local community.

see the course catalog

Admission Requirements

All applicants to the BS degree in Community Health and Wellness must submit:

Either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
A completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.

Applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview.

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University.

Tuition and Financial Aid

How Much Does a Community Health and Wellness Degree Cost?

At Monroe University, it’s our mission to make quality education affordable. We begin by offering competitive tuition and fees along with manageable payment plans.

We then pair every student with a dedicated financial aid counselor to help them secure every grant, scholarship, and loan for which they qualify. And if you work at one of our more than 400 partner organizations, you may be eligible for a Corporate Partnership Grant that can cover up to 20% of your tuition costs.

It’s that kind of personalized attention that makes us one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Schools among Regional Universities North.

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Your Future Community Health Career

Community health professionals work in a variety of settings, including federal, state, and local government health agencies; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and schools, colleges, and universities. A BS in Community Health and Wellness will also prepare you to work in private health organizations and voluntary health agencies (VHAs) including:

Community health clinics
Medical centers
Health insurance companies
Fitness and wellness facilities
Pharmaceutical companies

Careers in community health include:

Community health worker
Health education specialist
Director of rehabilitation
Patient care coordinator
Home health care manager
Community outreach worker
Laboratory manager
Health and wellness advocate

Community Health and Wellness majors can take their careers even further with public health graduate programs (like the Master of Public Health from our King Graduate School). The MPH program helps students prepare for more advanced management and leadership positions within the specialization of their choosing.

Professional Opportunities

Real-world learning is one of the cornerstones of our education. That’s why every Comunity Health major receives a semester of field experience in the form of a supervised internship. As you earn your degree, you’ll get to explore a variety of health and wellness settings, including:

You’ll also have the chance to build your professional network right on campus through clubs, organizations, and honor societies for students at the School of Allied Health Professions:

Alpha Eta, the national honor society for the allied health professions, awards $1000 honorariums annually to students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship.
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers certifications for various specializations, as well as professional development courses for health professionals.
Monroe’s Allied Health Club allows students from all allied health majors to exchange ideas, as they work together to create health education programs for local communities.

Discover What You Can Achieve

Start Making a Difference With a Community Health and Wellness Degree

With a BS in Community Health and Wellness, you’ll have the chance to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Whether you’re working on global policy questions, or working with tightly-knit communities, the work you do as a commuinity health professional can make a huge impact.

Apply Now