Community Health

The Department of Community Health at William Paterson University offers a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health. The program is primarily committed to the preparation of entry level community health educators who will be able to assess, implement, and evaluate a broad range of health promotion and disease prevention programs. View the Introduction to Community Healthvideo by clicking the link.

Graduates are eligible to take the national examination to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES). Committed to helping people achieve healthier lifestyles, health education specialists promote an understanding of the development and maintenance of wellness and the means to reduce the incidence of disease throughout the life span. Health education specialists promote health in communities among diverse populations.

Responsibilities of the entry level health education specialist, as identified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., include:

• Assess health education needs
• Plan health education strategies, interventions and programs
• Implement health education strategies, interventions and programs
• Conduct evaluation and research related to health education
• Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
• Serve as a health education resource person
• Communicate and advocate for health and health education

The Community Health program is approved by the Society for Public Health Education/ Association for the Advancement of Health Education Baccalaureate Program Approval Committee (SABPAC). It is the only approved program in New Jersey.

A quality faculty brings a diversity of background, interest, and insights to the department's program. In addition to research activities, faculty members are involved in community health as program planners, textbook authors, officers of national professional associations, private practitioners, and consultants.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities in health education/community health are increasing in number and diversity. As our population grows older, as environmental hazards become apparent and as technology offers new ways of prolonging life, health promotion will continue to be a growth field well into the twenty-first century. Upon completion of the Community Health program, students have a solid foundation for graduate study in public health, health administration, environmental studies, and social work. Most students begin their professional careers immediately after graduation. Community health education specialists find employment in community health centers, hospital-based community health education departments, family service agencies, nursing homes, AIDS education programs, private schools, local, state, and federal agencies, health maintenance organizations, to name a few. Examples of employment sites of recent graduates include:

• American Cancer Society
• American Lung Association
• Barnet Hospital
• Bergen County Department of Health Services
• Chilton Memorial Hospital
• First Option Health Care
• Hackensack University Hospital
• Hoffman-LaRoche
• Kessler Institute
• Merck
• Occupational Safety and Heatlh Administration (OSHA)
• Paterson Division of Health
• Planned Parenthood
• Public Health Service
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ)
• Wayne Health Dept

Comprehensive Education

The program in Community Health is rooted in the University's strong liberal arts curriculum, providing students a foundation from which they gain a deeper understanding of their chosen discipline (major).

Knowledge of health education/community health is achieved through a multi-disciplined study of the physical and natural sciences, education, psychology, sociology, and community/public health. Practice-based skills, such as the ability to teach, organize, assess, implement, and evaluate community health education programs are integral components of a carefully designed course of study. Students become oriented to career opportunities by attending professional association meetings with faculty members and through networking opportunities that evolve from a 12 credit full-time internship during their senior year.

Nontraditional Students and Other Health Professionals

The multi disciplinary study of health enables this program to uniquely meet the needs of nontraditional students. Nontraditional students bring a wealth of life experiences that enhance their understanding of the forces affecting the health status of individuals and communities. Other health professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs) who pursue a degree in Community Health discover an understanding of health education and health promotion issues that complements their health expertise. Major courses are regularly offered in sequence for evening students.

Degree Requirements

The College of Science and Health awards a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health based on successful completion of 128 credits in community health, general education, and co-requisite courses in the major. (Please note, this is not a degree in nutrition)


The Nutrition Concentration blends several perspectives of nutrition including basic nutrition, life span concepts, social issues of food and nutrition and emphasis on sociological and communicational concerns. A Minor in Nutrition is also offered for students of other majors.

For questions or comments regarding degree requirements, contact Dr. Joanna Hayden haydenj@wpunj.edu. For the Nutrition Concentration/Minor, contact Dr. Michele Grodner grodnerm@wpunj.edu.