George Mason University

Community, global, and public health are the fastest growing, most exciting, and versatile areas of study on college campuses across the United States today. Community health is the applied science of protecting and improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, populations, and communities using evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs and policies. Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the BS in Community Health prepares students with the knowledge and understanding of community and public health systems, issues and policies related to health promotion, and health education and disease prevention in populations of all sizes. Community, public, and global health specialists work with a variety of health-related organizations and are expected to confront complex behavioral, cultural and social health and well-being issues at the local, national and global levels.

Community Health students develop the competencies and skills necessary for entry-level positions in a variety of professional settings such as local, state, and federal health and social service agencies and non-governmental and voluntary health organizations, health care, and private industry. Students completing this degree are eligible for and strongly encouraged to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

The BS in Community Health is unique in that it provides a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in public health or advanced training in a health profession (see the Clinical Science concentration).

Optional Concentrations

Students may wish to complete an optional concentration in Global Health, Clinical Science, Nutrition, or Physical Activity and Public Health. Selection of a concentration is not required.