Public Health Fundamentals for Field Professionals, Certificate in

College of Public Health

Department of Community and Behavioral Health

Community and Behavioral Health Program Information

Box 70674
Phone: (423) 439-4332

The Department of Community and Behavioral Health offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in public health with a concentration in community health. The degree prepares students to become effective health educators and community health specialists capable of developing and implementing health programs in a variety of community-based settings. Students completing the degree are eligible to sit for the national credential exam - Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Transfer Students – Transfer students who major or minor in public health shall earn a minimum of 18 hours of credit (12 hours must include either field experience or student teaching) with an average grade of C or above in this department. (See section of catalog on transfer students for other requirements.)

Graduate Study - The Department of Community and Behavioral Health offers the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree in community health. The department also offers a graduate certificate in rural health and an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in gerontology in conjunction with the colleges of Nursing, Business and Technology, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Education.

Admission

In addition to meeting all other requirements for admission as an undergraduate student at ETSU, applicants for the Certificate in Public Health Fundamentals for Field Professionals must complete a separate application documenting that they meet one of the following requirements:

1. An earned degree at the associate’s or higher level and at least two years of experience in public health or a closely related profession; or
2. Successful completion (average GPA of 2.5 or better) of at least one year of college (a minimum of 30 semester hours) and at least four years of experience in public health or a closely related profession. The college experience must include at least one college-level course, with an earned grade of C or better, in each of the following:
   1. English composition (including expository writing)
   2. Mathematics course beyond Algebra (Probability and Statistics preferred)
   3. Biology or life sciences (or related course, e.g. microbiology)
   4. A social or behavior science (e.g. Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or related field)

All students must sign a statement confirming they have access to a computer with Internet connection, consistent with ETSU’s current guidelines. Prospective students should contact the college for application materials and to determine eligibility for the program.

While any currently enrolled and qualified student can take the courses offered in support of the certificate, the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Fundamentals for Field Professionals can only be granted to students admitted to, and successfully completing, the certificate program.

Retention

Each student must meet current ETSU requirements to retain status as an active student. A grade of C or better is required in each certificate course.

Major Field Core: 15 credit hours

• ENVH 3040 - Environmental Sanitation (3 credits)
• EPID 3080 - Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
• HSMP 3200 - Health Services Administration (3 credits)
• COBH 4030 - Community Health (3 credits)
• COBH 4457 - Emerging Technologies for the Health Professions (3 credits)