Change Behaviors for the Better with an Online Community Health Degree
Advocate for the well-being of individuals and communities by earning the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Community Health from University of Michigan Science. Be a force for the public good by learning to influence social factors to improve individual and community health, conduct outreach for medical personnel and collect data to help identify community health needs.
Along the way, you'll explore current trends in health and health policy from a national and global perspective and investigate the impact these issues have on the wellness of people, populations and society. You'll also consider key concepts, theories and methods so you can implement programs that matter. Best of all, you'll graduate ready to contribute to a community's commitment to health in fields such as social services and counseling, public policy and health education.
See Yourself Succeed in Community Health
UMS’s online sociology degree with a community health concentration gives you the skill set to advocate for change for individuals, families and communities. You’ll study current health and wellness trends, probing strategies to help groups change health behaviors. You’ll also be well versed in national and global health policies and explore how communities allocate health resources. Even better, many of the courses take advantage of hands-on experiences, from case studies to role-playing exercises, to combine theory and problem-solving skills in an authentic and innovative way.
As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your bachelor’s in sociology online at UMS include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
The bachelor's in sociology with a concentration in community health puts you in a great position for employment - and enjoyment - in a range of fields, including social advocacy organizations, community health centers and government relief agencies. With UMS's online degree, you'll be prepared to take on jobs such as:
- Community Health Organizer
- Social Service Case Worker
- Health Policy Lobbyist
- Public Health Educator
- Consumer Advocate
Employment rates for health educators and community health workers will grow 16%, much faster than the average for all occupations between now and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.* Note: Some employers may require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.
Curriculum
The online bachelor's in sociology with a concentration in community health covers theoretical perspectives in the social sciences as well as current topics in policy, the role of media in health outcomes and pragmatic ways to handle public health problems. Advanced coursework includes portfolio-worthy projects such as creating a podcast and developing a public outreach campaign.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
UMS's bachelor's in community health program includes:
- General education
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- Assess health policies, programs, and interventions, utilizing sociological theory, for their ability to affect change in the health status and social development of individuals and communities
- Develop effective strategies in communicating ethically and culturally sensitive information that engage individuals and communities in the promotion of health policies, programs, and interventions
- Analyze group behavior through current and emerging sociological theory for a broader understanding of society
- Analyze and employ appropriate sociological research to critically assess published research and develop sociological research proposals that address contemporary social issues
- Evaluate the social construction of realities for their impact on human social interactions and their consequences across cultures
- Develop sociological questions demonstrating versatility of thought and problem-solving skills in addressing contemporary social issues, employing ethical and professional communication of sociological information
- Cultivate the sociological perspective in communicating research interests and career goals in the social sciences
- Analyze social structures and processes within social institutions for recognizing patterns and relationships across cultures
