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Program:
Community Health

Degree Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Community Health

Length of Program:
8–10 semesters

Application Deadlines:
Accepted year-round


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, or Nutrition. 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
  • 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

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ 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 , Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ 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 Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ 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

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ applicants and current students may inquire about the possibility of receiving credit for previous life and/or work experience(s) per . 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
3
3
3
Total Semester Hours 9
General Courses

(28 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
0
3
3
3
3
3
1
3
2
2
2
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
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total Semester Hours 18
Human Services Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
3
3
1
3
2
1
2
3
Total Semester Hours 18
Gerontology Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
2
3
3
3
3
1
OR
 3
3
Total Semester Hours 15
Women’s Health Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
Total Semester Hours 18
Nutrition Concentration

(18 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
3
3
3
3
3
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
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total Semester Hours 18
Major Courses

(13 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
3
2
3
3
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
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Electives 10
Total Semester Hours 54
Pharmacy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Electives 18
Total Semester Hours 54
Physical Therapy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Electives 22
Total Semester Hours 54
Physician Assistant - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 1 concentration above.

Courses Semester Hours
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Electives 18
Total Semester Hours 54
Occupational Therapy - Health Science Concentration

Students selecting this option will pick 2 concentrations above.

Courses Semester Hours
4
4
4
4
4
3
Electives 13
Total Semester Hours 36

Tuition and Fees

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¾«Ñ¡ 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 .

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.