Director of Community Health
Sarah Flanagan MSW, MPA, LCSW
PH 402.552.6875 TF 800.647.5500
FlanaganSarah@clarksoncollege.edu
Community Health Mission
Prepare students to professionally and critically address, sustain, and improve community health needs using an interdisciplinary approach.
Community Health Overview
The interdisciplinary Community Health program prepares students for a variety of community health professions outside of direct patient care in the areas of public health, human services, gerontology, women’s health, and health care business. The degree options are offered entirely online with select courses available on campus. Students may complete courses year-round on a full-time or part-time basis. The following Community Health degree options are offered:
- Bachelor of Science in Community Health (Traditional, Post-Associate, Post-Bachelors, Dual Degrees)
- Certificates (Public Health, Human Services, Gerontology, Women’s Health)
- Minors (Public Health, Human Services, Gerontology, Women’s Health, Pre-Health Professional)
Community Health Program Goals
- Educate students through an interdisciplinary approach to community health populations.
- Provide students with an understanding of how community health systems work.
- Prepare students to drive positive change and improvement in the community
- Provide an online avenue for degree completion and career advancement.
Program Specific Competency Goals
Upon successful completion of a degree in Community Health, graduates will:
- Demonstrate proficiency in communication by organizing ideas clearly and effectively in written formats. (Communication)**
- Incorporate communication strategies in collaborative relationships with clients and their families, community organizations, and/or other stakeholders. (Communication)**
- Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to analyze community health needs. (Critical Thinking)**
- Practice awareness of cultural, ethnic, age, gender, and lifestyle differences. (Diversity)**
- Utilize evolving technologies proficiently in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of community health care. (Technology)**
- Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct appropriate to the community health environment. (Professionalism)**
**Categories denoted in the parentheses represent relationship to the Clarkson College student success skills, which are our institutional student learning outcomes, and include Communication, Technology, Critical Thinking, Diversity and Professionalism.
Community Health Degree Options
Bachelor of Science in Community Health:
The traditional degree option is for students with little or no transfer credit. Students complete general education, core, support, and major courses in addition to four of the five concentrations which include Public Health, Human Services, Gerontology, Women's Health and Healthcare Business.
The
The dual degree option is for students completing multiple degrees at Clarkson College. This option allows credits earned while completing a degree to be used directly toward a Bachelor's in Community Health. The options include:
- Dual degree: Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant and Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health
- Dual degree: Associate of Science degree in Radiography and Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health
- Dual degree: Associate of Science in Health Information Technology and Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health
- Dual degree: Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health
Service reflects a holistic view that focuses on how individuals provide high quality, ethical and compassionate service in the field of
All students are required to complete designated service courses as a component of their program of study. Successful completion of service experiences is required to pass the designated service courses. Designated service courses are identified using the following symbol: ◊
Certificates
The 20-21 credit hour certificate programs are ideal for current health care practitioners or other individuals seeking to increase their knowledge and enhance their career goals. The certificate program courses were developed and are taught by a multi-disciplinary team of experienced and motivated faculty who are excited about sharing their expertise. Courses are offered year-round on a part-time or full-time basis.
Public Health - The certificate option introduces students to the field of public health and provides fundamental knowledge in health promotion and disease prevention, environmental health, and the U.S. health care system. Students learn how to evaluate health programs and initiate change at higher levels.
Human Services - This certificate option informs students of the role and purpose of human service agencies, the forces that influence them, and the variety of clients they may serve. Students gain skills in crisis intervention and an understanding of family dynamics, trauma informed care, and working with vulnerable populations.
Gerontology - This certificate option provides students with the knowledge about the process of aging and how to help improve the quality of life for the elderly population. Courses offer insight on holistic patient care, and navigating systems and services for the aging.
Women's Health - This certificate option provides a comprehensive study of historical and current issues related to the growth and development of women. Health issues, from physical to mental, and from local to global, prepare students to work in a variety of settings.
Minors
Students may earn a minor in conjunction with any Clarkson College degree program. The Community Health minors will complement any major program in a
Public Health - The Public Health minor is for students interested in disease prevention, health promotion, and emerging issues impacting public health and how changes in our
Human Services - The Human Services minor is for students interested in helping people become more self-sufficient, learn new skills, and access the services they need. Learning how the individual/family exists within their environment provides a platform to identify strengths and modify services to meet their needs.
Gerontology - The Gerontology minor is for students interested in the physical, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of the lifelong aging process. Coursework will explore contemporary policies and programs that impact
Women's Health - The Women’s Health minor is for students interested in the study of historical and current issues related to the growth and development of women. Psychological, social and behavioral influences along with social, political, cultural and geographical factors will be covered.
Pre-Health Professional - The Pre-Health Professional minor is for students interested in applying to medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant programs after graduation. It provides the science and math courses needed for admission into most health sciences graduate programs. Course plans are tailored based on student interests and needs, depending upon which schools and programs they are interested in applying to.
Undergraduate Community Health Courses
An overview of the impact of policy related to the aging population in the U.S. Students will examine the role of legislative mandates, as well as the availability of programs and services for older adults at individual, community and societal levels.
Students will learn the statistics, dynamics and typical effects of personal trauma and its impact on health. Using the Trauma Informed Care framework, students will be given the opportunity to learn to adjust their approach to interacting with patients and clients.
This course will address human services practices and policy focusing on historical and current developments and content of the key social, legislative and governmental programs designed for groups in need across the lifespan. The course will consider factors that contribute to vulnerability. Students will explore and identify the eligibility requirements, barriers and provisions of the programs related to vulnerable populations.
This course serves to examine relationships within family systems across the life span, and their reciprocal relationship with cultural and societal dynamics. An overview of family systems theory will serve as the foundation for exploring topics such as healthy relationships, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, decision-making, time- and stress-management.
Grant writing is an important skill for professionals in a variety of settings. Students will learn the basics of grant writing, including needs assessment, identifying potential funding sources, creating goals and identifying assessment plans.
This seminar addresses different types of crises that may impact individuals, families or communities. A framework for assessing and intervening is offered and integrated throughout the following possible topics: substance abuse, mental health, medical crisis, acts of violence, natural disasters, death and loss. Information on family dynamics, self-care, stress relief and coping is included.
This is a foundational course for health professionals in the field of infection control in all health care settings. This course integrates microbiology, infection prevention, and patient care practices as applied to a population-focused practice. It provides major emphasis on risk identification and prevention strategies.
This course investigates physical, chemical and biological risk factors that may contribute to human disease. Disease processes, manipulation of the environment to prevent disease, and therapeutic interventions to cure diseases will be discussed.
The objective of this class is to help students gain an understanding of how to effectively and efficiently identify appropriate resources for their clients/patients in need. Students will explore ways to help people in need identify their difficulties and create a co-planned approach to possible community assistance. Students will learn how to advocate for their clients/patients and gain an understanding and practice of bringing people and services together.
This course explores the historical development, current operation and future trends of criminal justice. Students will begin to understand the major components of the system: police, courts and corrections. Students will develop an awareness of the intersection of health care and the criminal justice system, focusing on both mental health issues and health disparities.
This course provides an introduction to women's health. A review of the historical and current issues related to the growth and development of women and the barriers to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the lifespan.
This course examines psychological, social, and behavioral influences on women's health. It focuses on the relationship between lifestyle factors and mental and physical health in women. Topics covered include high-risk health behaviors, stress, weight, sexuality, fertility, and promoting health and wellness among women.
This survey course explores women’s health as portrayed in literature, including the multiple challenges women face in a health care context, particularly, though not limited to, women as the health care patient and women as the health care provider. Students will analyze literature both past and present to illuminate the complications and significance inherent in women’s health.
This course will provide an overview of social policy and its impact on the development, design and delivery of human services in the United States. Students will evaluate the role, history and theory of human services, as well as the policies and programs that help or hinder positive individual, family and community development. Pertinent skills, knowledge, attitudes and values of the human service worker will also be examined.
This course will explore the anatomy and physiology of adult body systems, age-related changes in structure and function and age-related disorders. Epidemiology of the major chronic diseases, risk factors, methods of prevention and current methods of treatment will be discussed. Students will also learn about the impact of physical activity and recreation, nutrition and infection control on health and disease in the aging population.
This course provides an overview of the psychological and social aspects of aging. The demographics of aging and the impact of aging on social institutions will be examined. This course provides an analysis of the individual and society, and an exploration of the changing roles and status of the aging population. It addresses both normal aging and psychopathology. Implications for cultural diversity and at-risk populations will also be explored.
This course surveys contemporary policies, programs and services for an aging population and explores the impacts of an aging society on financial planning and retirement. Students, caregivers, professionals, family members and friends are equipped with information to provide quality care for elderly people while taking care of their own needs for support and rest. Focus is on understanding a multidisciplinary approach to community, home and institution-based care which addresses social and ethical issues, problems, policies and programs that affect the quality of life for our rapidly aging population. This course explores specific health needs of aging individuals and assists students in identifying techniques and strategies used in developing programs for the older adult.
This is an integrative course in which students will apply knowledge gained in earlier coursework to gerontology related areas such as advocacy, culture, mental and physical health, vulnerability, education, economic, social, and legal issues.
This course will look at the concepts of community building and health improvement. Students will identify strategies for stakeholder outreach and implementation of community health initiatives. Active public engagement will assist with the exploration and identification of established programs within a community of interest.
This course builds upon knowledge gained from previous coursework. Students have the opportunity to learn more about collecting data from a variety of sources which is integral to health program planning. Theoretical program planning and development for comprehensive health programs are addressed. Strategies for monitoring the program as well as program evaluation are also analyzed.
This course examines women’s health with an emphasis on global issues. Social, political, economic, cultural and geographical factors influencing women’s health will be explored. Students will examine the basic health needs of all women and compare the availability of and types of services in different parts of the world.
This course examines the mental health of women throughout the lifespan, considering strengths and challenges related to life events and family roles. Topics such as sleep and self-care, substance abuse, co-dependency, anxiety, post-partum depression and empty-nest phenomena will be explored. Additionally, the effects of violence against women will be discussed to examine how violence affects the mental health of women.
This course examines the role of mammography in breast cancer detection. Breast cancer risk factors, the need for screening, breast health strategies and available technology will be discussed.
This course examines pharmacologic agents used during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. Oral and long acting contraceptives, menopausal hormone replacement therapy, and the pharmacologic prevention and treatment of osteoporosis will also be discussed.
This course examines preventative and restorative topics relevant to women’s health, such as incontinence, lymphedema, breast/ovarian/uterine cancer, pelvic floor dysfunction, and how to stay active throughout the lifespan to maximize quality of life.
The fieldwork experience allows students to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in their area of professional interest. Students must gain permission from the advisor before enrolling.
The capstone experience requires students to conduct programmatic research and develop a service project in their area of professional interest. Students must gain permission from the advisor before enrolling.