Public Health - Radford University Carilion Campus

Program Director

Sallie Beth Johnson, PhD, MPH, MCHES
Program Director, Assistant Professor
540-985-4037 (office)
540-985-9946 (department)
sejohnson1@radford.edu

Mission

The mission of the B.S. Public Health program is to develop a public health workforce dedicated to improving community health and wellness through education, advocacy, and service.

Goals/Outcomes

Prepare students to enter the public health workforce and/or graduate programs in public health, health education, health promotion, or other health-related fields.
Provide students with the required coursework and knowledge in the seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialist to be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

Program-specific Competencies

The B.S. Public Health Plan of Study was developed to align with competencies proposed by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).

CEPH Undergraduate Public Health Competency Domains

Overview of Public Health
Role and Importance of Data in Public Health
Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges
Human Health
Determinants of Health
Project Implementation
Overview of the Health System
Health Policy, Law, Ethics, and Economics
Health Communications

NCHEC oversees the areas of responsibility and competencies for Health Education Specialists and specifies coursework for students to be eligible to take the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists

Area I: Assess Needs, Resources and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion
Area II: Plan Health Education/Promotion
Area III: Implement Health Education/Promotion
Area IV: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion
Area V: Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion
Area VI: Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person
Area VII. Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession

Background

Public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally and globally. Public health professionals aim to prevent disease and injury from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, advocating for policies, administering services, and conducting research.

The B.S. in Public Health is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to make a difference in their community as a public health professional. It is one of the fastest growing undergraduate degrees in the United States. With a 16-21% faster than average expected employment growth by 2026, public health professionals are in demand. Program graduates are employed by health systems, public health departments, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, community and social service agencies, wellness centers, research laboratories, universities, and health insurance companies.

Emphasizing interprofessional engagement and high-impact experiential learning, the B.S. Public Health program at Radford University Carilion educates and trains students to address the pressing health needs of underserved populations. Students interact and learn to collaborate with a broad range of clinical and community-based partners to improve population health, especially in medically underserved and rural areas. Program graduates will be prepared to tackle the overburden of chronic disease, the persistent epidemic of drug addiction, an aging population, increasing mental illness, and an ongoing need for outbreak and disaster preparedness in our communities.

The program offers students flexibility and convenience through delivery in a hybrid or 100% online format. The program may be started during Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. Students may complete the degree on a full or part-time basis. The program is very transfer-friendly with at least 51 credits eligible for transfer from the community college or other schools.

Admissions Requirements

University Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

Courses in the B.S. Public Health program are delivered in a synchronous, online format. Students must have a computer with webcam, headset, and microphone for online course participation

Students will partner with an organization in their community to complete an internship and a Capstone project to apply their acquired knowledge and skills. Internships placements may require students to have a background check or drug screening conducted prior to participation.

Student engagement is an integral part of developing a community of learners in the B.S. Public Health program. Each semester students will be required to participate in at least one Radford University Carilion activity, such as the Public Health Series or Day of Service. Students may attend lecture events virtually.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete their Plan of Study with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. All program-specific courses require a grade minimum of “C”. Students must complete a minimum of 25% of the Plan of Study at Radford University Carilion.

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Public Health, B.S. - Radford University Carilion Campus