Online Bachelor of Science in Community Health

Community health workers strive to ensure the success of initiatives and interventions that aim to improve the well-being of diverse populations. If you’re interested in a career supporting healthy, sustainable communities, a community health degree may be right for you.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 39

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 120

Degree questions, answered.

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What is a community health degree?

The online community health degree at Arizona State University focuses on health care beyond traditional health care organizations. You’ll learn to address health concerns and equip communities with the knowledge they need to stay safe and healthy. A community health degree also provides the tools needed to lead neighborhood-wide responses to health care challenges and manage partnerships between public and private organizations. Graduates of this degree gain experience in:

  • Advocacy services.
  • Care coordination.
  • Disease management.
  • Health care navigation.
  • Health education.
  • Health promotion.
Interested in pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) online? Explore the Accelerated Master of Public Health program through Claremont Graduate University in collaboration with ASU.

What is a community health worker?

 

A community health worker fulfills a variety of different roles to ensure communities receive the health care resources and treatment they need. This can mean a multitude of things such as ensuring everyone has access to nutritious and fresh foods or providing vulnerable populations with preventative checkups.

For example in community health jobs, you may work as a patient advocate or service coordinator who connects patients with health care providers and social service agencies. You may also work to assess the effectiveness of community interventions. With a community health degree, you have the ability to pursue several different career paths.

Can I become a community health nurse with this degree?

 

This degree is not equivalent to a nursing degree. If you want to become a community health nurse, we recommend considering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in combination with proper nursing certification. The community health major does not prepare you for nursing licensure. The community health degree is ideal for those seeking roles similar to health care educators, community health supervisors or health services administrators.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

Will my community health degree say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Community health courses online

Courses as a community health major are intended to provide the background needed to understand factors that influence community health. They also explore how organizations work together to support individuals. To graduate, students are required to complete a capstone focused on assessing community health factors and designing interventions that address them. Some courses in the community health degree include:


CDE 232: Human Development (SOBE OR SB)


PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology (SOBE OR SB)


HCR 210: Ethics for the Health Care Professional (HUAD OR HU)


TWC 362: Writing in Health Professions (L)


TWC 347: Written Communication for Managers (L)


BIO 201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (SCIT OR SG)


CHM 101: Introductory Chemistry (SCIT OR SQ)


BIO 202: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (SCIT OR SG)


What can you do with a community health degree?

With a community health degree, you could work in an individual or systemic capacity to ensure that people receive the health care they need. Graduates can follow career paths in the public, private or nonprofit sector, educating communities or connecting individuals to crucial services. After completing this degree, you have the option to sit for the CHES exam which showcases your health education knowledge and can give you a competitive professional edge in a variety of different health care specializations. Possible roles in this field include:

Community Health Worker


Growth: 14.1 %
Salary: $46,190

Community Specialist


Growth: 6.5 %
Salary: $47,290

Guidance Counselor


Growth: 5.4 %
Salary: $60,140

Health Care Support Worker (General)


Growth: 5.7 %
Salary: $40,420

Health Technician (General)


Growth: 6.6 %
Salary: $44,990

Healthcare Professor


Growth: 19.1 %
Salary: $100,300

Medical and Health Services Manager


Growth: 28.4 %
Salary: $104,830

Patient Advocate


Growth: 6.6 %
Salary: $44,990

Social Services Director


Growth: 9.1 %
Salary: $74,240

Study with leaders in health innovation and public health

The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the home to world-renowned faculty members.

  • Countless national faculty nursing awards. 
  • Fulbright Senior Scholar. 
  • Rosalynn Carter National Leadership Award in Caregiving. 
  • Ruth B. Freeman Award from the American Public Health Association.

Study with leaders in health innovation and public health

The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the home to world-renowned faculty members.

  • Countless national faculty nursing awards. 
  • Fulbright Senior Scholar. 
  • Rosalynn Carter National Leadership Award in Caregiving. 
  • Ruth B. Freeman Award from the American Public Health Association.

Admission requirements for the community health major

I am a future

You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.

Learn how to apply.

Competency requirements

Additional admission requirements

High school equivalency

Homeschool

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

A high-quality educational institution that prioritizes student success

ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation provides a first-class education to students across a wide range of health disciplines. The college distinguishes itself through high-quality instructors and challenging courses and programs.

10+


undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs online.

250+


faculty members.

$13.2


million in research awards.

4,000+


students.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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