Date: November 11, 2009
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: e-matanyi@govst.edu
Community Announcement
Governors State to Offer New Bachelor of Health Science in Community Health Degree Program
University Park, IL, November 11, 2009 - Beginning with the Winter 2010 term, the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at Governors State University will offer an undergraduate program in Community Health.
The Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) in Community Health provides a broad-based educational background. The program prepares students to design and implement programs that increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of health and wellness promotions.
The program’s mission is to enable students to promote health and wellness for the betterment of older adults and specific communities, especially those vulnerable to healthcare disparities.
After completing a 24-credit program core curriculum, students have the opportunity to customize their studies through four program tracks: Gerontology - Long Term Care; Gerontology - Healthy Aging; Health Promotion Education in the Community Setting; and Pre-Occupational/Physical Therapy.
To be eligible for admission, prospective students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.25 in 60 hours of transferable credit from a regionally accredited institution.
Upon program completion, students will be able to plan, develop, and implement community health education programs using a variety of strategies; conduct assessments of health needs and resources at both the individual and community level; identify, analyze, and interpret factors influencing people's health status; and evaluate the process and outcome of community-based health education programs and long-term care programs.
"We're extremely excited about this program," noted Dr. Linda Samson, CHHS Dean and Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.
"Our college has always recognized the importance of developing new and innovative programs to serve the needs of our students and community. In light of our aging population and the rising cost of healthcare, our nation needs trained health educators who can teach people how to live healthy lives, prevent disease, and help them avoid costly treatments for illness,” Samson said. “As a nation, we have to make a move toward healthier communities overall. This new program is designed to do just that."
For additional information about the Bachelor of Health Science in Community Health, visit www.govst.edu/chhs/bch or contact Shavron Kelley at (708) 534-4923 or s-kelley@govst.edu. To apply to Governors State University, visit www.govst.edu/apply or call (708) 534-4490.
