Health Science, Community Health Track

Point of Contact
Dr. Jim Metcalf
Coordinator
Phone: 703-993-2070
Email: jmetcalf@gmu.edu

The Health Science degree prepares graduates to function as managers and clinicians in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, community health, schools, home care, long term care, employee health, managed care organizations, group medical practices, manufacturing, medical technology and supply organizations, the health insurance industry, and financial consultant services.

The Community Health track is focused on understanding health issues related to the community and larger populations at the national and international levels.

Admission Requirements

Students should make an appointment with an academic advisor prior to beginning the program. Students are admitted to George Mason University and declare Health Science as their major. The program may be completed on a full or part-time basis. A criminal background check is required before beginning the major. Completion of the degree program requires 120 credits.

Program of Study

Please refer to the GMU Catalog for Course Descriptions. Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Community Health Track, must present 120 semester hours of work.

• General Education (38)
  • English Composition (6) - ENGL 101 and 302
  • Communications (3) - COMM 101
  • Literature (3) - at 200 level or above, not ENG 101 or ENG 302
  • Fine Arts (3)
  • General Psychology (3)
  • Western Civilization (3)
  • Global Understanding (3)
  • Anatomy and Physiology (8) - BIO 124 and BIO 125
  • Statistics (3) - STAT 250
  • Information Technology (3) - IT 103
• Required Courses (28)
  • International Health (3) - GCH 205
  • American Government (3) - GOVT 103
  • Developmental Psychology (3) - PSYC 211
  • Health Behavior (3) - HEAL 230
  • Health Communication (3)
  • Microbiology (4) - BIOL 246, 306
  • Foreign Language/GCH Focus (9)
• Electives (21)
  • Global and Community Health Electives (12)
  • General Electives (9)
• Community Health Track (33)
• Global and Community Health
  • GCH 295 (3:3:0)
    Nutrition for Health Professionals
    Prerequisite: one semester of science or permission of instructor. Introduction to nutrition science, emphasizing macro- and micro-nutrients in the body, digestion, energy metabolism, weight loss, fitness and nutrition, prevention of chronic diseases, nutrition therapy, and nutritional assessment. Problem solving and critical thinking methodologies are utilized in group presentations that address nutrition-related case studies. In-class activities, outside readings, and class discussion reinforce concepts. Students use computer-based diet analysis to evaluate personal dietary intakes.
  • GCH 332 (3:3:0)
    Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Throughout the Lifespan
    Introduces epidemiology, health promotion, disease prevention, and their impact on health of culturally diverse and vulnerable individuals, families, small groups, and communities. Focuses on health problems and potential interventions throughout the life span, and incorporates teaching, learning, and critical thinking as they apply to health professionals.
  • GCH 350 (3:2:2)
    Health Education, Promotion, and Holistic Health Perspectives
  • GCH 440 (3:3:0)
    Community Health and Epidemiology
    Prerequisite: completion of GCH 300-level requirements. Addresses population-focused healthcare. Emphasizes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of health problems. Examines concepts of community, public health, and health policy affecting culturally diverse and vulnerable populations.
  • GCH 450 (3:3:0)
    Public Health Research and Methods
  • GCH 498 (6:6:0)
    Health Science Internship
    Prerequisite: open to GCH majors only. Taken in last semester of studies after completing all course requirements. Capstone course involves two-hour weekly seminar, and 14-16 hour internship in a health related organization. Provides variety of applied experiences in the chosen area of concentration under direction of CHHS faculty member and preceptor in the field agency. Integrates critical thinking, project planning and management, communication, and analytic skills in internship and development of project product.
• Health Administration and Policy
  • HAP 303 (3:3:0)
    Strategic Health Management and Planning
  • HAP 378 (3:3:0)
    Health Care Delivery in the United States
    Introduces history and current structure and function of U.S. healthcare delivery. Explores components and subsystems of healthcare and the sociopolitical (public and private) context that shapes the system and impacts access to healthcare and delivery of health services.
  • HAP 416 (3:3:0)
    Introduction to Healthcare Leadership and Management
• Health and Human Services
  • HHS 465 (3:3:0)
    Professional Transition and Role Integration
    Meets Mason requirement as synthesis course. Additional corequisite for nursing majors: satisfactory completion of NCL Review Testing and Study Plan for LPN and traditional and second-degree pathway; completion of all general education requirements and English 302. Capstone seminar course synthesizing varied dimensions of health professionalÕs role in global society. Examines issues in healthcare through reflection on natural and behavioral sciences, humanities, and other prerequisite coursework. Selected topics examined through reading, writing, and discussion. Content builds on knowledge and skills acquired through course work and field experience in the major and general education, as well as through life experience. Application of literature in professional practice and related disciplines expected in formal and informal writings on issues. Student writings and presentations receive written self-evaluation and formal review by peers and multiple faculty members involved in teaching the course. Writing-intensive.
• General Education = 38 Credits
  Required Courses = 28 Credits
  Community Health Track Courses = 33 Credits
  Electives = 21 Credits
  Total = 120 Credits