Public Health Education

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Mission: 

The mission of the Department of Public Health Education is to prepare students academically and professionally to assume leadership positions in public health. The Department provides students with opportunities to develop proficiency in the application of theory, content, and skills to promote, support, and enable healthy communities. The public health education program is designed to prepare students as entry-level health educators for practice in a variety of settings such as public health departments, voluntary health agencies, healthcare organizations, corporate worksites, and community-based organizations.

The Department of Public Health Public Education offers the Bachelor of Science degree for three majors:

• B.S., Public Health Education (Traditional)
• B.S., Public Health Education (Online Flight Path Program)
• Health Administration (Online Flight Path Program)

B.S. Public Health Education (Traditional) 

The BS Public Health Education program has been existence since the 1940’s and is the traditional campus-based program. The courses are generally offered on campus, in-person, and 16-week semesters at NCCU (except for summer sessions).

The Department of Public Health Education curriculum will provide students with basic preparation for entry-level practice of health education, sound preparation for graduate study in public health education and related disciplines; and approved course work and experience leading to eligibility to take a national exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Students who plan to major in Public Health Education must meet the following requirements before admittance into the department:

• Completion of the lower division major courses (HEDU 2000, HEDU 2100, HEDU 2200, and HEDU 2400) with a grade point average of 2.5 or better in these courses.  Have an overall grade point average of 2.25 or higher.
• Students are not allowed to repeat the lower division courses to improve their grades.  A grade of “F” in any of the lower division courses disqualifies students to apply for admission to Public Health Education.  However, students are advised for another major to complete their bachelor’s degree at NCCU.

B.S. Public Health Education (Online Flight Path Program)

NCCU Online: BS Public Health Education Flight Path Program is designed for working adults (aged 25 and older) who are seeking to complete their undergraduate degree.

This program prepares students for careers as community health educators in various settings (e.g., public health departments, voluntary health agencies, healthcare organizations, corporate worksites, and community-based organizations). Students take a common core of courses and complete further study in the behavioral, social, and biological sciences; education; communication; and public health. Upon completion of this degree, students will be prepared with basic skills as entry-level health education practitioners, prerequisite training for graduate study in public health education, and eligible to take the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Health Administration (Online Flight Path Program)

NCCU Online: BS in Health Administration Flight Path Program is designed for working adults (aged 25 and older) who are seeking to complete their undergraduate degree.  The courses are offered online as 8-week mini sessions per semester (except for summer sessions).

The NCCU Online: BS in Health Administration Flight Path Program prepares students for careers in health care management/administration, health services management, health information management, and health policy.  Coursework in this program includes both managerial, clinical, and public health topics.  The Bachelor of Science degree equips students with management and leadership skills that are relevant for health care workplace.

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