B.S. in Health Sciences - Environmental Health Concentration

The objectives of the Health Sciences Program are to prepare health educators who help maintain and improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of people; and to prepare students to pursue graduate education in a variety of related fields. Environmental Health Concentration: This option is for students who wish to become environmental health specialists. Coursework includes study in epidemiology; pollution prevention and control; water, air, soil, and food protection; industrial health and safety; toxicology; environmental field sampling and analysis; environmental law; hazardous substances and waste material; health promotion planning and evaluation; research; and statistics—plus an internship in environmental health. Graduates are eligible to take the state examination to become a registered environmental health specialist. Careers Graduates specializing in each of the major's five concentrations are well prepared for careers in their chosen area study. Graduates who select the environmental health concentration are prepared to work on an array of issues related to human health and environment. They work at a variety of local, state, and federal environmental and public health agencies, and with private industry, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates who select the health administration concentration are prepared for entry-level managerial careers in medical, public, and nonprofit health settings. Graduates who select the health communication concentration are prepared for careers in diverse areas such as federal agencies, hospitals, publishing firms, health departments, public relations firms, and insurance companies. Responsibilities include disseminating information on topics related to health with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles and behavior. Graduates who select the health psychology concentration are prepared for careers as health educators in the area of mental health and health behavior modification. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) Examination, the national certification for health education. Graduates who select the public health concentration are prepared for careers as community health specialists in medical, public, and nonprofit settings. Responsibilities include conducting health education and health promotion for diverse populations with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles and behavior.