The Health Science Center at 海角社区. The Public Health program was recently ranked among the best online associate's degree programs in the country by College Consensus.
A 海角社区 online associate鈥檚 degree program has garnered national attention for excellence.
The college review aggregator, College Consensus, recently nationwide to earn an online associate鈥檚 degree in Public Health and 海角社区鈥檚 program ranks among the best.
College Consensus combines the results of all of 鈥渢he most reputable college ranking publishers and thousands of real student reviews from around the web鈥�, in order to provide 鈥渢he most accurate and comprehensive ranking of a school鈥檚 reputation and quality available anywhere,鈥� according to its website.
Public Health programs were ranked based on the following criteria: cost, reputation and student success.
鈥淭here are many options if you want to achieve an online associate鈥檚 degree in public health,鈥� the site states. 鈥淥nline learning is a great idea in such uncertain times. Due to the coronavirus we don鈥檛 know how safe the classroom is, or if it is even a viable option for the foreseeable future. Not to mention, studying online offers unmatched opportunities for flexibility.鈥�
The site highlighted several aspects of 海角社区鈥檚 public health program that helped it stand out from the pack including the fact that the program is delivered primarily online, the entire course of study is made up of 61 credit hours and most graduates continue their education as part of a bachelor鈥檚 degree program at a four-year college or university upon completion.
鈥淭hey have a team of advisors that are expressly there to help students take the proper course requirements for easy matriculation into the next phase of their education or entry level employment in the field of public health,鈥� the site states. 鈥淪tudents will learn how to analyze the variety of perspectives and values held by diverse groups of people as they relate to health behaviors, decisions, and public health practices. Students will learn how to look at the ethical issues associated with public health systems, practices, and the related policies.鈥�
Lastly the site notes that coursework includes classes that touch upon communication strategies including speech communication and public speaking.
鈥淭his is amazing news, because the program is so new,鈥� said Dr. Gifty Akomea Key, Public Health program coordinator. 鈥淭he program launched in 2015 and began its first class during the 2016-17 school year. So this is a huge accomplishment for a program that鈥檚 relatively new.鈥�
Key noted that while all Public Health classes are available online, they are also typically available in person. 鈥淲e鈥檙e ensuring we鈥檙e not losing students because of opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or those who can only take online classes, every student can take every Public Health course online. But we do offer every class face-to-face as well.鈥�
Every semester every class is offered as either an online or in person course, she explained. Half are available online during the fall semester. The other half are offered face-to-face. Then during the spring semester, the classes that were available online then become in-person classes. The half that were available in-person are then offered online. This fall, however, because of COVID-19, the classes will only be available online.
鈥淲ith the nation鈥檚 public health officials working diligently to address the COVID-19 pandemic and promote social distancing, the college鈥檚 public health program makes a conscious and continued effort to educate on the pandemic and current careers that join in that fight,鈥� said Key.
Twenty-five schools made College Consensus鈥� list and 海角社区 earned the 18th spot. The site notes there are several advantages to earning an associate鈥檚 degree in public health including the fact that it can lead you in many different directions.
鈥淭his is a very interdisciplinary field that sometimes has a foundation in liberal arts and other times the sciences,鈥� according to the site. 鈥淓ither way, the general education requirements are not that different than many other degree programs, and the core courses can generally be tailored to the student鈥檚 major and ultimate career goals. Having any degree is a good choice when navigating the work force and this is a great option that allows you to get your feet wet in a myriad of different introductory courses that tie into a range of topics.鈥�
海角社区 is one of only six community colleges nationally to offer an associate鈥檚 degree in Public Health, and one of only two in Pennsylvania, said Key.
This isn鈥檛 the first time the Public Health program has received recognition. In 2018, The League for Innovation in the Community College presented 海角社区 with the Riegelman Award for Excellence in Public Health and Health Navigation Education in Community Colleges. 海角社区 received the award for the planning, development and enhancement of its current Public Health Program.
The Pennsylvania State Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs awarded over $46,000 in grant money to 海角社区 to work with the community to help address the opioid crisis. The grant funds the innovative initiative 海角社区 S.T.O.P. - 海角社区 Students Tackling Opioid Prevention.
The Public Health program serves as a community hub for opioid prevention activities for adolescents.