Associate Degree in 
Community Health and Wellness

For all the advances we’ve seen in public health, we still have a long way to go. Though we may have the means to prevent chronic and infectious diseases, not everyone has access to them. With an Associates of Science (AS) in Community Health and Wellness from our School of Allied Health Professions,, you can do more than promote healthy living: you can help create a fairer, more equitable society.

The AS in Community Health and Wellness trains students to become powerful advocates for community healthcare. That might mean launching a public awareness campaign about positive health behaviors; it might mean working as an educator in a community health setting.

Whatever path you choose, you’ll graduate with the skills you’ll need to make a real difference in the world around you. 

Find Out About Our Online Community Health and Wellness Associate Degree

Careers in community health are on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers for health education specialists and community health workers will increase by 12% over the next several years. That’s more than twice the average rate for all occupations in the U.S. A large proportion of those jobs will be right here in the New York City metro area.

Community health professionals need two things: a passion for helping others, and the knowledge to be able to turn that passion into action. You already have the first. With an Associates' Degree in Community Health and Wellness, you can learn the second  — and start to build a stable, secure career.

The instructors at the School of Allied Health Professions are both professors and practitioners. They’ve worked on public health issues as advocates, policymakers, epidemiologists, and more. When you earn your BS degree at Monroe, you get to learn from their experience. Through project-based learning opportunities, you’ll learn about:

• Health and Aging
• Communication and Technology in Community Health
• Psychology Across the Lifespan
• Nutrition

You’ll also be able to choose electives geared to your areas of interest, with classes focused on:

• Race, ethnicity, and health
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Juvenile delinquency
• Psychology
• HIV/AIDS
• Women’s health
• Reproductive health

You’ll examine the biological, social and behavioral factors that lead to health disparities in modern-day healthcare — and learn what you can do about them. You’ll also learn the communication, leadership, and administrative skills you’ll need to serve communities most effectively.
 

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Community Health Bachelor’s Degree?

It takes four (4) semesters to complete an associate's degree in Community Health and Wellness. Monroe University has a three (3)-semester academic year, which means that full-time students could finish their degree in less than two (2) years.

Community Health Degree Requirements:

60 total credits

• 30 credits of major-related courses (including required field experience)
• 30 credits of general education and related courses

The School of Allied Health Professions also offers flexible scheduling alternatives, with both fully online and hybrid study options. 

All applicants to the AS degree in Community Health and Wellness must submit:

• Either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
• A completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.
• Applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview.

Applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview.

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University.

How Much Does a Community Health and Wellness Degree Cost? 

At Monroe University, it’s our mission to make quality education affordable. We begin by offering competitive tuition and fees along with manageable payment plans. 

We then pair every student with a dedicated financial aid counselor to help them secure every grant, scholarship, and loan for which they qualify. And if you work at one of our more than 400 partner organizations, you may be eligible for a Corporate Partnership Grant that can cover up to 20% of your tuition costs. 

It’s that kind of personalized attention that makes us one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Schools among Regional Universities North. 

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Earning your Community Health degree will prepare you to work in federal, state, or local government health agencies, as well as in both private health organizations and voluntary health agencies (VHAs) that include:

• Medical centers
• Community health clinics
• Fitness and wellness facilities
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Health insurance companies

As you work toward your degree, you’ll discover where you want to make an impact — and how. Jobs for Community Health majors include:

• Community health worker
• Health coach
• Patient care coordinator
• Home health care manager
• Community outreach worker
• Laboratory manager
• Health and wellness advocate

For the tools to advance even further in your career, you can choose to continue your education with a BS in Community Health and Wellness. 

You’ll also have the chance to build your professional network right on campus through clubs, organizations, and honor societies for students at the School of Allied Health Professions:

• Alpha Eta, the national honor society for the allied health professions, awards $1000 honorariums annually to students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship.
• The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers certifications for various specializations, as well as professional development courses for health professionals.
• Monroe’s Allied Health Club allows students from all allied health majors to exchange ideas, as they work together to create health education programs for local communities. 

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