With an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community Health Education degree, you can make a positive difference in the communities that need it most. The online bachelor's program focuses on improving the health of individuals and their communities based on their needs and resources. You'll explore effective ways to plan, develop, implement and evaluate community health programs. You'll also learn the critical components of public health education such as social and behavioral health, research and assessment, epidemiology, and chronic and communicable diseases.

Learn how to:

- Analyze the efficacy of health programs

- Apply strategies in assessment, planning, and prevention

- Foster consensus, promote effective use of human resources and enhance operations

- Identify health disparities and promote social justice

- Make globally, socially, and ethically responsible decisions

- Promote effective health communication campaigns

- Use statistical constructs and epidemiological principles

For student Jacqueline Graham, this program gave her so much more than what she learned in the classroom. Graham says, "it was truly life-changing," giving her the confidence to not only complete the program but go on to pursue her master's. This program also aligns with the educational requirements for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination, offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing."

Successful student graduates will have fulfilled the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the CHES examination. In the online community health education program, you'll explore how to effectively plan, develop, implement and evaluate community health education programs. You'll also learn the critical components of community health education, such as social and behavioral health, research and assessment, epidemiology, and chronic and communicable diseases. When you earn your health education degree online at SNHU, you've completed a program that was designed to set you up for success in the health field created by subject-matter experts who know the skills you need to have under your belt.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites some of those important qualities as:

- Analytical and problem-solving skills

- Instructional skills

- Interpersonal skills

- Writing skills

SNHU's bachelor's in community health education prepares you for the professional certification examination to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).

According to NCHEC, the CHES credential shows employers that you've mastered the Seven Areas of Responsibility for health education specialists, outlined in the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis project. Those areas are:

- Administer and manage health education/promotion

- Assess needs, resources, and capacity for health education/promotion

- Communicate, promote and advocate for health, health education/promotion, and the profession

- Conduct evaluation and research related to health education/promotion

- Implement health education/promotion

- Plan health education/promotion

- Serve as a health education/promotion resource person

"The BLS notes that while health educators typically need at least a bachelor's degree, some organizations do require CHES credentials beyond the education requirements. The curriculum in the community health education degree provides you with 12 credits of electives within your program meaning you get the opportunity to choose 4 courses in community health education, integrated health professions, and public health education. "I have learned so much in the years since I have been a student," said student Jacqueline Graham. "

"This major is wonderful, and the courses are interesting. There is so much to learn." Alexisa Humphrey '20 got the most out of her capstone experience. "My capstone was my most loved and valued class," she said. "I was able to focus on my passion in helping a community that is poverty-stricken and provides the youth in that area a way to reverse some unfavorable behaviors." Plus, the community health degree program has plenty of free elective space overall. That's ideal for students with transfer credits, or even those who want to broaden their skillset and explore areas of interest."

Daniel Amato '21 was one student who brought a lot of credits into his program. "I transferred credits to SNHU, which helped me complete my degree much faster," he said. "My credits ended up completing all my electives, so all I had to do for my community health education degree was my core classes. It was much quicker than I thought it would be." Classes are taught by instructors who have experience in the field.

"The instructors at SNHU are so very helpful, and they all want their students to succeed," Graham said.

"They are very accessible, so you will never feel alone or that you cannot have access to them because it is online." Amato agreed. "My instructors were knowledgeable and passionate about community health education," he said. "They allowed all of us to bring our own experiences into the classroom and use them within our studies. It made for a fun learning environment because we got to read each other's stories and bounce ideas off each other."

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)