The Urban Public Health program at Hunter College, CUNY offers a BS and an MPH in Community Health Education.

Community health educators use educational skills and a sound knowledge of public health to encourage effective individual and group action designed to maintain and improve the health of people in the community. They develop, implement and coordinate health education programs in communities,and educate the public about health and disease and what can be done to maintain good health, prevent disease or secure treatment. We believe that the role of the health professional is to assist people in improving their health and their physical and social environment. Jobs are increasing at the baccalaureate level and beyond. The BS degree at Hunter prepares students for positions in the field, and for graduate education in social work, public health, and related fields.

The undergraduate program is day only, with classes weekday mornings and afternoons. Students may attend full or part-time. Admittance to the major is both Fall and Spring semesters. Non-majors, CUNY permit and non-degree students may take courses with COMHE advisor approval.

Undergraduate COMHE Course Descriptions

COMHE 150 Introduction to the Health Care System. A survey of the organization of the United States health care system, the perspectives of consumers, providers and organizers. Various health professions will be examined as well as the major health concerns that exist today. 3 hr, 3 cr

COMHE 200 Controversial Issues in Health. A contemporary health controversy examined through the disciplines of public health and community health education. 3 hr, 3 cr.

COMHE 204 AIDS and Society. The HIV/AIDS pandemic examined from a variety of perspectives: epidemiology, sociology, and ethics. 3 hr, 3 cr.

COMHE 301 Introduction to Community Health Education. Bases of health education; models for changing health behavior; community organization; evaluation and research. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 302 Principles of Health Education Practice I. Introduction to health education methods; teaching- learning transaction in health care setting;presentation skills, learning theories. coreq: COMHE 301 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 303 Principles of Health Education Practice II. Leadership skills related to work with health consumers, interviewing techniques, group dynamics, and public speaking. prereq: COMHE 302 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 321 Addictions and Dependencies. Recent research on alcohol, narcotics and other chemical dependencies. Strategies for intervention, prevention, and treatment, with emphasis on role of health education.3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 322 Maternal and Child Health. Social, behavioral, and medical factors involved in contraception counseling, abortion and sterilization, prenatal care, childbirth, child health, parenting, and prevention of family violence. Effect of public, social welfare, and public health policy on women and children. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 323 Health Aspects of Aging. Demography and epidemiology of the aging population. Public health policy and recent legislation affecting the aged. Economic, social, and cultural factors that affect agencies, services, and health education programs serving the aged. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 324 Human Sexuality. Study of interaction of cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of sexuality. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 325 Environmental Public Health Problems. Impact of environmental problems associated with urbanization — e.g., water quality, air and noise pollution, waste disposal and radiation hazards. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 326 HIV/AIDS: An Interdisciplinary Perspective for Health Care Providers. Interdisciplinary perspective on the impact of the HIV epidemic on the biological, psychological and social dimensions of people affected by HIV/AIDS. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 330 Principles of Epidemiology. Methods of study of disease; risk factors; distribution, causes, prevention, and control of selected diseases. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 400 Topics in Community Health Education and Public Health. Content varies from semester to semester to address changing needs of profession. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 401 Directed Fieldwork I. Assignment in health care agency to provide experience of requirements of profession. (prereqs: COMHE 301, 302, 303 6 wks, 3 cr.)

COMHE 402 Directed Fieldwork II. (prereq: COMHE 401 1 full day per wk, 2 cr.)

COMHE 403 Directed Fieldwork III. (prereq: COMHE 401, 402 1.5 days per wk, 3 cr.)

COMHE 405 Principles of Administration of Health Care Agencies and Institutions. Overview of U.S. health care system, official and voluntary agencies; introduction to administrative skills. 3 hrs, 3 cr.

COMHE 420 Introduction to Clinical Medicine. Role of health professionals in treatment, management and control of disease. (prereq: BIOL 120 or 122 or equiv. 3 hr, 3 cr.)

*COMHE 480.1, .2, .3 Independent Study. (prereq: perm director hrs TBA, 1-3 cr. respectively)

*COMHE 490 Honors. (Prereq: perm director hrs TBA, 3 cr.).

*Total credits in independent study courses and honors may not exceed 6 credits

The MPH Degree Program is 48 credits. A description of the courses is listed below:

Required Track Specialization Courses (18 credits)