The Department of Community and Behavioral Health advances health and well-being in the Appalachian Highlands and beyond through innovative education, impactful research, and collaborative practice. Through community-engaged learning, we prepare students and professionals to address social, behavioral, and structural factors that shape health, generate evidence-based solutions, and partner with rural communities to foster lasting well-being.
BSPH
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health prepares students to improve health outcomes and advance well-being across diverse populations with a focus on the Appalachian Highlands and beyond. Grounded in social, behavioral, and structural factors that shape health, the curriculum equips graduates to assess community needs, develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions, analyze health data, and build partnerships to improve health. Through hands-on learning and real-world fieldwork, students develop the versatile skills needed to begin a career in public health or pursue advanced graduate and professional study. Building healthier communities starts here.
PUBLIC HEALTH MINOR
The Public Health Minor provides students across all disciplines with a foundational understanding of population health, health disparities, and community-level interventions. Students explore how behavioral, environmental, and social factors influence population well-being. This minor complements majors in nursing, allied health, psychology, social work, business, and biology by adding a population-focused and preventative perspective to their primary field of study. See your field through a public health lens.
MPH
We live in an everchanging world, and improving health requires solutions shaped by the communities themselves. The MPH in Community and Behavioral Health prepares students to understand how social, psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors shape health and well-being. Through hands-on learning, real-world field experiences, and engagement with communities, students put that knowledge into practice by assessing community needs, and designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote health and prevent disease. Explore how people, place, and community shape health.
DrPH
The Doctor of Public Health concentration in Community Health prepares current and future public health professionals and leaders to translate evidence into action, partner meaningfully with communities, and lead change that improves population health. At the heart of the program is a commitment to making a meaningful, real-world difference in the communities we work alongside by applying knowledge and evidence to address complex public health challenges. Grounded in community engagement, behavioral and social science, systems thinking, and evidence-informed practice, the program provides advanced training in intervention development and evaluation, qualitative inquiry, applied research, and the translation of evidence into practice. Students develop the skills to address complex public health challenges and to design, implement, evaluate, and lead sustainable solutions that respond to the needs, strengths, and priorities of communities. With particular strengths in rural and Appalachian health, the program prepares graduates to apply these skills across diverse populations and settings locally, nationally, and globally. Rooted in Appalachia. Prepared to lead anywhere.
GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT MINOR
The Global Health and Development minor empowers students to explore global challenges, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their understanding of global issues that shape health, well-being, and development around the world. You will gain the knowledge, skills, and cultural understanding needed to engage thoughtfully and effectively across cultures to make a meaningful impact in an increasingly interconnected world. Building skills for a global future.
AGING STUDIES & PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
We are living longer and that is changing our communities, healthcare systems, and workforce. The 9-credit, fully online Aging Studies and Public Health Graduate Certificate prepares students to turn this demographic shift into opportunity. It is a great option for working professionals looking to advance their skills and graduate students in other programs who want to complement their degree with specialized expertise in aging. Shape the Future of Healthy Aging.
GLOBAL HEALTH GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
The Global Health Graduate Certificate provides specific knowledge and skills in global health from an interprofessional perspective. The certificate is designed for learners interested in global health. The certificate includes curricular and practice-based opportunities, both here and abroad. The Global Health Certificate is open to graduate and professional students interested in global health and is available on campus and fully online. Explore health from a global perspective.
RURAL PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
The Rural Public Health Certificate is designed for students who want to build the skills to understand rural communities, address their unique health challenges, and create meaningful change. Courses include content specific to rural settings as well as expertise needed to work with communities of all kinds. Understanding rural communities, improving lives.