Program Details
Community Health, BS
Bachelor of ScienceGeorge Mason University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The public health field is on of the fastest growing, most exciting, and versatile areas of study on college campuses across the United States today. The Community health BS Program, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), prepares students for the exciting field of public health with the knowledge, understanding and application of evidence-based approaches to public health. The program explores community health, health promotions, health education, and disease prevention policies and practices. Graduates work with a variety of health-related organizations and are expected to confront complex behavioral, cultural, and social challenges affecting populations at the local, national, regional, and global levels.
Outcomes
Community Health students develop the competencies and skills necessary for entry-level positions in a variety of professional settings, including local, state, and federal health and social service agencies and non-governmental and voluntary health organizations, health care delivery, and private industry. Students completing this degree are eligible for and strongly encouraged to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The BS in Community Health is unique in that it provides a solid foundation for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in public health or advanced training in a health profession (see the Clinical Science concentration).
Program Overview & Guidance

| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/public-health/global-community-health/community-health-bs/#requirementstext |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | |
| Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between George Mason University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Transfer associate degree completion is recommended. RBC and VCCS students completing A.A., A.A.& S., A.F.A, or A.S. degrees receive a lower-level Mason Core waiver. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who earn an associate degree through high school dual enrollment should still apply as freshmen and are not eligible for GAA. College coursework will be evaluated for transferable course credit. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | George Mason University welcomes 4,500 new transfers each year.
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| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Determined by first semester of enrollment |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Determined by first semester of enrollment |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://go.gmu.edu/GAA |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Hollins University | BA in Public Health | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Public Health | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Health Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Health Science | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Health Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Health Science-BSHS | Bachelor | BS in Health Sciences | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Medical Lab Science-BSMLS | Bachelor | BS in Medical Lab Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Public Health-BSPH | Bachelor | BS in Public Health | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Environmental Health-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Recreational Therapy-BSHS | Bachelor | BS in Health Sciences | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Exercise Science-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Exercise Science Clinical Health (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Public Health in Public Health | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Public Health | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Health Science: Public Health Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education: K-12 Special Education Adapted and General Curriculum Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Science in Psychology | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Education Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Anthropology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Anthropology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online, In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Emory & Henry University | Social Science- History Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Radford University | BA in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science Applied Ec in Community Economic Development | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Applied Economic Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Sociology in Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in International Studies in Environment, Development, and Global Economy | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science Applied Ec in Environmental Economics: Management and Policy | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Applied Economic Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science Applied Ec in Food and Health Systems Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Applied Economic Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in Geography in Geography | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in Geography | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in International Studies in International Relations | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in International Studies in International Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Science Applied Ec in International Trade and Development | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Applied Economic Management | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BA in International Studies in National Security & Foreign Affairs | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts in International Studies | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Sociology in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: History Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Political Science Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21-1094.00 | Community Health Workers | Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
| 25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-9111.00 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1069.00 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-3099.00 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | All social scientists and related workers not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3099.01 | Transportation Planners | Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete

