It is the only approved program in New Jersey. A quality faculty brings a diversity of background, interest, and insights to the department's program. In addition to research activities, faculty members are involved in community health as program planners, textbook authors, officers of national professional health associations, private practitioners, and consultants. As our population grows older, as environmental hazards become apparent and as technology offers new ways of prolonging life, health promotion will continue to be a growth field well into the twenty-first century. Upon completion of the Community Health program, students have a solid foundation for graduate study in public health, health administration, environmental studies, gerontology, and social work.
Most students begin their professional careers immediately after graduation.
Community health education specialists find employment in community health centers, hospital-based community health education departments, family service agencies, nursing homes, AIDS education programs, private schools, local, state, and federal agencies, and in health maintenance organizations. Practice-based skills, such as the ability to teach, counsel, and organize, assess, implement, and evaluate community health education programs are integral components of a carefully designed course of study. Students become oriented to career opportunities by attending professional association meetings with faculty members and through networking opportunities that evolve from a 12 credit full-time internship during their senior year. The multi disciplinary study of health enables this program to uniquely meet the needs of nontraditional students. Nontraditional students bring a wealth of life experiences that enhance their understanding of the forces affecting the health status of individuals and communities.