School of Community Health Sciences

203 Lombardi
(775) 784-4041, Ext. 223

The School of Community Health Sciences was approved by the Board of Regents in August 2004 and was built on the former Department of Health Ecology and its popular degree programs. At present there are two degrees offered: B.S. in Community Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health.

The mission of the School of Community Health Sciences is to develop, disseminate, and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines for the promotion and protection of the health of diverse populations utilizing and ecological approach. The bachelor of science degree with a major in community health sciences provides students a broad, integrated, interdisciplinary perspective on health and wellness. The curriculum was designed to be responsive to the challenges and changes of the 21st century. The curriculum stresses the importance of cross disciplinary training, the importance of a broad core of courses related to health promotion and disease/disability prevention, the importance of good communication skills, the importance of relevant work experience, the importance of undergraduate research, and the importance of intra-university cooperation.

Preparing students for future success is the department’s primary goal. Graduating with a community health sciences degree will prepare students to attend graduate or professional school in several fields, such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation therapy, exercise physiology, public health and many others.

Students who do not choose further schooling will have a wide range of career/job choices including rehabilitation services, AIDS education, exercise specialist, physical trainer, health policy analyst, health insurance advisor, corporate wellness advisor, and many more.

The Community Health Sciences degree offers an integrated program of study and research in the multidimensional aspects of health promotion and disease/disability prevention. It is suited for students who are interested in working in a wide range of health or wellness settings. People interested in specific health careers, special health settings or in teaching credentials will need to take additional courses designed specifically for their field. Advisors from the Department of Community Health Sciences will assist students in course selections.