Academic
offerings: The promotion
of public health depends greatly on local social-service networks.
Public Health Management, among other courses, will explore
the way much of our country's care for indigent patients relies
on social services. Our health, as explained throughout the
program, is not just improved by increasing medical care.
We must rely on healthier lifestyles, improved preventive
care, and a stronger social network that links those who need
social services with those can provide them. Most of our students
will spend time with local social services organizations through
"public health in the community" to more fully understand
the benefits and challenges of improving health in the social-service
system.
Experiential
learning: Three of our program's courses provide opportunities
for students to apply public-health knowledge in the community.
Access to health services, the environment's impact on population
health, education's relevance to health literacy and much
more will be explored by volunteering in local organizations
that seek to improve the health of the community.
Employment
opportunities: Health care is one of the most promising
sectors of the economy for those seeking employment. A growing
emphasis in the domestic arena and a retiring public-health
workforce will provide many opportunities for employment
in the public and private sectors. A study conducted in
2007 determined that by 2012, 50% of the state health agency
workers will be eligible to retire. Several studies have
indicated that there are not enough properly trained public
health officials to replace them.
Learn more about the Department of Community Health.
