Community and Public Health
Department website: https://www.isu.edu/publichealth/
Overview
About Community and Public Health
Our Mission
We advance health for all through collaborative learning and scholarly activities, enabling students and communities to thrive.
Our graduates work at the frontlines of emerging health issues and strategically guide organizations and communities through evidence-based decision-making and cultural humility. Each of our programs prepares students in areas with projected job growth as organizations and communities recognize the need for better programs, healthcare, and environments that foster healthy people and communities.
The undergraduate program in Community and Public Health is designed to prepare students to plan, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs, interventions, and strategies, serve as an advocate to support healthy behaviors and healthy environments, and lead in empowering individuals, groups, and communities to achieve optimal health, well-being, and quality of life. More specifically, they learn to facilitate the adoption of actions that are conducive to the health of individuals, groups, or communities.
Students in the Community and Public Health Program may choose from three concentrations:
- Community health
- Addiction studies
- School health
We also offer a Community and Public Health Minor. Students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program may pursue a Community and Public Health Teaching Minor. Accelerated programming is offered into our Master of Health Education (MHE) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate degrees.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a baccalaureate degree in Community and Public Health are eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national certification offered through the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Coursework in the Idaho State University undergraduate Community and Public Health program prepares students on the following Areas of Responsibilities for Health Education Specialists as identified by NCHEC:
- Assessment of Needs and Capacity
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
- Research
- Advocacy
- Communication
- Leadership and Management
- Ethics and Professionalism
Addiction Studies Concentration
Students with an addiction studies concentration are trained to understand addiction and how to help individuals and communities who are impacted by addiction. Upon completion of this academic concentration, and coupled with 300 internship hours, students are eligible to become Substance Use Disorder Associate (SUDA) certified by The Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). Upon completion of the Addiction Studies Concentration, paired with a 300-hour internship and a Bachelor's degree, students are eligible for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC.
Community Health Concentration
The field of public health is exciting and continually evolving. Better health and quality of life are influenced at multiple levels by social determinants like policies, access to health care and systems, environment, neighborhoods and housing, work and income, social connections, and health behaviors. The Community and Public Health undergraduate program prepares students to apply critical thinking skills to define and address health problems in our communities. We equip students to engage in cross-sectoral, community partnerships to plan, implement, and evaluate programs that enhance population health.
School Health Concentration
Students with a school health concentration are trained to teach health in public or private junior high or senior high schools. Students choosing the school health concentration must also be admitted to the teacher education program and complete all requirements for teaching certifications through the College of Education.
Addiction Studies Academic Certificate (25 credits)
The Addiction Studies Certificate is a 25-credit academic certificate for those in health professions and beyond to understand addiction and how to help individuals and communities who are impacted by addiction. Coursework includes Harmful and Illicit Substances, Ethics, Chemical Dependency and the Family, Basic Counseling Skills, Case Management, Assessments for Substance Abuse Counselors, Group Skills, and more. Upon completion of this academic certificate, and coupled with 300 internship hours, students are eligible to become Substance Use Disorders Associate (SUDA) certified by The Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). Upon completion of the Addiction Studies Certificate, paired with a 300-hour internship and a Bachelor's degree, students are eligible for the Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC. Additionally, the knowledge and skills learned through this certificate will provide competency in addressing addiction-related issues for anybody working in the helping professions.
Eligibility for the ADC or SUDA certifications through the Idaho Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC) includes the coursework offered through Idaho State University and a minimum requirement of internship hours, not offered through Idaho State University, working directly with substance abusing clients. Additional ADC/SUDA certification eligibility criteria is available on the IBADCC website.
Community Health Worker Academic Certificate (9 credits)
The Community Health Worker Academic Certificate meets the needs of community health workers who wish to pursue a certification that will prepare them to work in the growing community health worker occupations. Community health workers are increasingly recognized as valuable members of the health system that has increased in Idaho and across the nation. Community health workers who successfully complete this certificate will be prepared to assume a position as a community health worker in clinic and community settings and assist in the development and implementation of community health programs within their community.
Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Programs
B.A./B.S. in Community and Public Health/Master of Health Education (MHE) Accelerated Program
Qualified undergraduate students (GPA ≥ 3.3) can apply for the accelerated BS and MHE program prior to their last two semesters in the BS program. Approved students can count up to 12 credits of 5000-level or 6000-level required MHE courses toward their BS/BA in Community and Public Health graduation plan. These 12 credits of graduate-level coursework will count towards their MHE degree. An additional 18 credits of graduate coursework is required for the accelerated MHE program.
B.A./B.S. in Community and Public Health/Master of Public Health (MPH) Accelerated Program
Qualified undergraduate students (GPA ≥ 3.3) can apply for the accelerated BS and MPH program prior to their last two semesters in the BS program. Approved students can count up to 12 credits of 5000-level or 6000-level required MPH courses toward their BS/BA in Community and Public Health graduation plan. These 12 credits of graduate-level coursework will count towards their MPH degree. An additional 30 credits of graduate coursework is required for the accelerated MPH program.
Advising Information:
Contact the department at 208-282-2729 or dcph@isu.edu or visit https://www.isu.edu/publichealth/ to learn more information about the program requirements.