Clarkson College

Clarkson College Logo
x

Program:
Community Health

Degree Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Community Health

Length of Program:
8–10 semesters

Application Deadlines:
Accepted year-round
Apply Now


Payscale College ROI 2024 Best-value School Badge

Set yourself apart from other health professional school applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health. 

Degree Overview

A Bachelor's degree in Community Health focusing on the Pre-Health Professional track expands your knowledge of health-related fields and prepares you to serve diverse populations. To supplement the required math and science courses needed for application to graduate schools, students select one of the following concentrations: Gerontology, Human Services, Public Health, Women's Health, Nutrition, or Healthcare Business. These courses provide meaningful insight and experience in a specialized patient population.

The Pre-Health Professional track includes a blend of on-campus and online courses and is designed for a variety of individuals.

  • Students interested in applying to a medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or physician assistant program
  • Students who want to stand out from other applicants and rise above the competition
  • Students who are just starting their health care education career or those desiring a career change

The interdisciplinary curriculum of the Community Health program includes courses that address vulnerable populations, health literacy and patient advocacy, legal and ethical implications, environmental and cultural influences on health, trauma informed care, and grant writing. You will select from the following concentrations:

  • Gerontology
  • Human Services
  • Public Health
  • Women's Health
  • Healthcare Business
  • Nutrition

In the final two semesters of the program, you will integrate classroom material with hands-on experience at an agency or organization of your choice. This 90-hour fieldwork component allows you to work in and observe all aspects of the agency, develop advanced skills, apply concepts from your classes, and gain practical experience in your chosen concentration. You will develop a paper that incorporates your course work and fieldwork experiences in the capstone course taken during your final semester.

Early Assurance Program

Clarkson College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have created a new academic pathway that brings together two disciplines with a shared purpose: helping people live healthier lives. Through the Early Assurance Program, Clarkson College students can seamlessly continue their education at UNMC and pursue a career in pharmacy, building on a foundation rooted in improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The program features two pathways for students to choose the best fit.

  • Students enrolled in the Associate of Science in General Studies at Clarkson College can receive guaranteed admission to UNMC's Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program.
  • Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Community Health (pre-pharmacy track) program at Clarkson College can receive guaranteed admission to UNMC's Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Why the partnership?

Community Health and Pharmacy are closely connected through a shared commitment to improving health outcomes. Both disciplines work to understand the challenges patients face and empower people with the resources, knowledge, and support needed to live healthier lives.

Want to learn more?

Contact Sarah Flanagan
402.552.6875
[email protected]

Advanced Standing Credit

Clarkson College applicants and current students may inquire about the possibility of receiving credit for previous life and/or work experience(s) per Academic Policy AA-47. Please reach out to an academic advisor or your program director if you have questions.

How we prepare
the best

  • Explore a variety of health professions with the guidance of a dedicated advisor.
  • Choose from concentrations in Gerontology, Human Services, Public Health, Women’s Health, Nutrition, and Healthcare Business.
  • Complete coursework on campus and online with flexible part- or full-time study options.
  • Select fieldwork in your area of interest.

Required Courses for Pre-Health Professional

Core

Students choose one course from each of the following Core groups (9 semester hours): Healthcare Communication (HCC); Humanities (HUM); and Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy (EEA).

Courses Semester Hours
HCC Core - Healthcare Communication 3
HUM Core - Humanities 3
EEA Core - Ethics, Empathy, and Advocacy 3
Total Semester Hours 9
General Courses

(28 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
ENG 101 - English Composition I 3
ENG 102 - English Composition II 3
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3
MAT 130 - College Algebra 3
MAT 310 - Statistics 3
GEN 105 - Medical Terminology 1
BIO 122 - Nutrition Science 3
BUS 140 - Healthcare Delivery Systems 2
HIM 180 - Essentials of Pharmacology 2
SOC 220 - Medical Sociology 2
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3
Total Semester Hours 28

Additional General Courses

Students will choose one concentration to complete the Bachelor of Science in Community Health (pre-occupational therapy students will choose two concentrations).

Public Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 270 - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
CHL 250 - Epidemiology 3
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
CHL 251 - Environmental Risk Factors and Disease 3
MAT 410 - Advanced Statistics for Public Healthcare 3
CHL 355 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Human Services Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
PSY 200 - Human Development 3
CHL 266 - Social Policy and Human Services 3
CHL 245 - Family Dynamics 1
EEA 210 - American Poverty and Healthcare 3
CHL 252 - Information and Referral 2
CHL 249 - Crisis Intervention 1
CHL 253 - Understanding the Criminal Justice System 2
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Gerontology Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
GEN 220 - Gerontology 2
EEA 205 - Death and Dying 3
CHL 241 - Programs, Services and Policies in Aging 3
CHL 330 - Health and Physical Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 333 - Psychological and Social Aspects of Aging 3
CHL 335 - Seminar in Gerontology 1
CHL 334 - Managing Care of the Older Adult OR
PSY 200 - Human Development 		3
3
Total Semester Hours 15
Women’s Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 260 - Evolution of Women’s Health 3
CHL 261 - Women’s Health in Contemporary Society 3
CHL 265 - Literary Perspectives of Women’s Health 3
CHL 362 - Global Issues in Women’s Health 3
CHL 364 - Mental Health of Women Throughout the Lifespan 3
CHL 365 - Mammography 1
CHL 366 - Pharmacology in Women's Health 1
CHL 367 - Preventative & Restorative Topics for Women 1
Total Semester Hours 18
Nutrition Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 270 - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
PSY 320 - Health Psychology 3
PSY 350 - Introduction to Counseling Skills 3
NDM 104 - Lifecycle Nutrition I 3
NDM 105 - Lifecycle Nutrition II 3
NDM 106 - Medical Nutrition Therapy 3
Total Semester Hours 18
For CHL 270, students may choose any elective if the Public Health concentration is already selected.
Public Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 270 - Issues and Policies in Public Health 3
CHL 250 - Epidemiology 3
◊ CHL 353 - Community Engagement and Social Change 3
CHL 251 - Environmental Risk Factors and Disease 3
MAT 410 - Advanced Statistics for Public Healthcare 3
CHL 355 - Health Program Planning and Evaluation 3
Total Semester Hours 18
Major Courses

(13 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
CHL 399 - Fieldwork 3
CHL 401 - Community Health Capstone (concentration related) 2
◊ CHL 244 - Vulnerable Populations 3
CHL 243 - Trauma Informed Care 3
CHL 248 - Introduction to Grant Writing 2
Total Semester Hours 13
Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental – Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology II - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 240 - Organic Chemistry I - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry II- Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 205 - Physics II - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 270 - Biochemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
Electives 10
Total Semester Hours 54
Pharmacy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 240 - Organic Chemistry I - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 241 - Organic Chemistry II- Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab 4
MAT 140 - Calculus 4
Electives 18
Total Semester Hours 54
Physical Therapy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology II - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 205 - Physics II - Lecture and Lab 4
Electives 22
Total Semester Hours 54
Physician Assistant - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 111 - Fundamentals of Biology II - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 151 - General Chemistry II - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 210 - Microbiology - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 240 - Organic Chemistry I - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 270 - Biochemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
Electives 18
Total Semester Hours 54
Occupational Therapy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 2 concentrations above.

Courses Semester Hours
BIO 110 - Fundamentals of Biology I - Lecture and Lab 4
CHM 150 - General Chemistry - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 211 - Human Anatomy - Lecture and Lab 4
BIO 213 - Human Physiology - Lecture and Lab 4
PHY 200 - Physics I - Lecture and Lab 4
PSY 200 - Human Development 3
Electives 13
Total Semester Hours 36

Tuition and Fees

Clarkson College offers competitive tuition rates, along with several ways to help manage the cost of your education. Tuition rates per credit hour are posted here.

There are two components to your student account: tuition and fees. Refer to Student Accounts for information regarding tuition, fees, and out of pocket expenses sorted by program.

Learn More

2026-27 Tuition

Item Cost
Undergraduate Tuition $691 / credit-hour
Fees
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150 / each
Program Fee $50 / semester
Technology Fee $350 / semester
Estimated Additional Program Costs
Verified Credentials $158 / student

For a complete breakdown of costs and situational expenses, view the Academic Catalog.

Career Overview

Median Salary

If you were to be accepted into and successfully complete the health profession of your choosing, potential median salaries are as follows:

  • Family Physician: $224,640 to $239,200
  • General Dentist: $166,300 / $170,910
  • Physician Assistant: $130,020
  • Pharmacist: $136,030
  • Physical Therapist: $99,710
  • Occupational Therapist: $96,370

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Job Outlook

Employment of community health workers is growing at a rapid rate of 13% from 2023 to 2023 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Pre-health and pre-med fields are projected to grow through at the rates listed below:

  • Medical doctor: 5% through 2033
  • Dentist: 5% through 2033
  • Physician Assistant: 5% through 2033, much faster than average
  • Pharmacist: 8-14% through 2033, much faster than average
  • Physical Therapist: 9-11% through 2033, much faster than average

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Career Options

  • Administration
  • Educational settings
  • Environmental health agencies
  • Correctional institutions
  • Grant writing
  • Health departments
  • Health & wellness centers
  • Home health, palliative care & hospice agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Independent, Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Insurance companies
  • Medical clinics
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Public policy & government
  • Public safety & disaster relief organizations
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Research
  • Shelters
  • Social service agencies
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Women’s health agencies

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.