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Community Health

Learn about community health, but don’t stop there. Learn how wellbeing encompasses all of life.

The community health program will develop your ability to promote health and wellness through improving health literacy, attitudes, skills, and behaviors—allowing you to elevate the health status of individuals, families, communities, states, and nations.

Majors, Minors, and Programs

Community Health Major Minor

Upcoming Events

MAY 11 2024

Science Research Symposium

1:30 p.m. Brushaber Commons Atrium

Come support and celebrate our Bethel Science students! Find out about their research and internships during their presentations at our Science Research symposium.

Going Beyond the Physical

The community health major and minor are taught from an interdisciplinary perspective,  preparing you to act as an informed and engaged community member and leader. Courses emphasize prevention and management of injury and disease, emotional health and overall wellbeing, health promotion, skill-building, epidemiology, nutrition education, critical thinking, and theories of health behavior. Completion of the community health major establishes eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. 

Student presenting to a classroom

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Community health graduates achieved national recognition for their scholarship, leadership, and service

29%

of all recent undergrad alumni work in health care

- U.S. Census Bureau

Program Highlights

Faith perspective

In addition to teaching critical thinking and best practices, professors also teach the integration of spiritual health as part of overall health and wellbeing.

Wellness Center

You'll have the opportunity to train in Bethel’s Wellness Center, which includes expansive state-of-the-art fitness and academic space.

Study abroad

Take your training offsite and study in one of more than 30 locations worldwide.

Hands-on learning

Gain real-world experience while working alongside community health professionals during a semester-long internship.
I want to use my voice and be a resource for underrepresented communities that lack quality healthcare.

I want to use my voice and be a resource for underrepresented communities that lack quality healthcare.

Lizzie Sanchez '22
Community Health Major

What can I do with a degree in community health?

With a degree in community health, you are prepared for a career in county and state public health departments, private health agencies, hospitals, health clinics, non-profit agencies, and with community organizations. Graduates may also be able to pursue additional training/education in various allied health professions, including accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) programs. Completion of the community health major establishes eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

Careers

Our community health graduates work as:

  • Federal, state, county, or local government employees
  • Hospital or medical clinic staff
  • Senior healthcare facility staff
  • Leaders in community health agencies (American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, etc.)
  • Community health educators or specialists
  • School health coordinators
  • Teachers or directors of recreational activity programs (e.g., YMCA, camps, community recreation programs)

Graduate Fields

Our alumni study:

  • Public health (epidemiology, environmental health, etc.)
  • Nursing
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physician assistant
  • Physical therapy
  • Gerontology
  • Education
  • Nutrition

Graduate Schools

Graduate schools our alumni have attended:

  • Bethel University
  • St. Mary’s University
  • University of Minnesota