Community Health, B.A.

Next Steps

The community health major will prepare you to think critically, communicate effectively and solve complex problems related to the health of communities. Grounded in evidence-based thinking and social justice, you will explore health disparities and the social determinants of health within a prevention framework.

Through classroom instruction and real-world experiences, you will learn to assess community needs and to plan, implement and evaluate health-promotion programs. You will also develop an understanding of the importance of addressing health problems at the individual, societal and public-policy levels.

Why major in community health at Whitworth?

Enjoy small class sizes and individualized instruction. The major is designed so that most students progress through the program together, developing personal relationships and community.
Learn from professors who are passionate about their roles in the classroom and about their work to improve health in the local community.
Apply knowledge in a practical setting by completing an internship, required of all community health majors.
Enrich your learning experience, learn civic responsibility and serve communities by engaging in service-learning. You will have the opportunity to integrate meaningful community service with coursework and reflection.
Relate what you're learning to your own life through courses such as Personal Health and Nutrition.
Learn to apply your faith or worldview to health-related topics and to your vocational goals.
Become who you're meant to be.

Our community health grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Students are often surprised by the range of career options available to community health graduates. Community health is a broad field that prepares students to work with a variety of populations at all levels of influence, from face-to-face work with individuals to policy and advocacy work at the national level. Community health majors are sought by private companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, medical facilities and regional health districts. Many graduates go on to pursue a master's degree in public health or health-service administration.

Recent job placements include:

Kelsey Collins, office manager, Sparrow Healthcare Education, Spokane
Brittany Botejue, program coordinator, Psychiatric Solutions, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Lesly Ellis, administrative specialist, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Yakima, Wash.

Our recent community health grads further their studies at institutions including:

Belmont University
University of Washington
University of Arizona
Montana State University College of Nursing
Washington State University
University of Minnesota
Emory University

Opportunities outside the classroom

You will have the opportunity to join the Health Education Action Team (HEAT), a program run by the on-campus health center. HEAT members gain experience in health promotion by planning activities and promoting health education on campus.

Pack your bags!

A number of Whitworth study abroad programs are great fits for community health students. Learn about health care systems in Scandinavia. Participate in a healthcare internship as part of Whitworth’s semester-long Central America Study & Service Program (CASP). Immerse yourself in Japanese culture while you study Eastern medicine in Japan. Visit medical facilities, aid organizations and universities while traveling throughout South Africa. Or study for a semester abroad through ISEP.