Community Health and Health Promotion Degrees in Public Health

Community health and population health are similar public health concentrations that involve working with various community sectors to evaluate health patterns within specific groups. Though community health and population health professionals play different roles in the public health landscape, they share quite a bit in common—from skills to background. Professionals in either field may be tasked with developing and implementing health programs, raising awareness of important issues, and implementing public health initiatives.

On this page, we’ll dive into what population health is, how it compares to community health, what you can do as a public health professional and how to get there.

• What Is Community Health?
• What Is Population Health?
• Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Master’s Degree Programs
• MPH Community Health Programs
• MPH Population Health Programs
• Doctoral Degree Programs

What Is Community Health?

Community health focuses on how individuals play a role in their own health and the health of those around them, while also considering how other environmental factors affect the overall outlook of a community’s population. This focus allows community health workers to obtain a multifaceted perspective of why certain health issues arise, and how to improve outcomes.

Public Health vs. Community Health

Community health can be looked at as a branch or subset of public health. Public health focuses on prolonging and improving the quality of life for the population as a whole. Community health tends to focus more on smaller groups of citizens that either share a close geographic location or live in geographic locations with similar characteristics or health circumstances like a town, city or state.

Health Promotion vs. Community Health

Even though these fields are extremely alike, and often grouped together, there are differences between the two. Community health tends to focus on the needs of all citizens within a designated area, while health promotion focuses more on teaching specialized groups and individuals how to take better care of themselves and their families—similarly to population health—regardless of where they are in relation to one another.

What Is Population Health?

According to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), population health refers to the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group. Because population health is influenced by clinical, social, behavioral, and environmental drivers, improving it typically involves collaboration across multiple sectors—health care, government, community organizations, and the private sector. Population health improvement requires a multisector approach; no single public or private entity has sole responsibility or capacity, so organizations often work together through measurement, collaboration, and improvement to advance healthier people and communities.

Population Health vs. Community Health

The differences between population health and community health lie in their main focuses. According to the AHA Center for Innovation, community health focuses on improving health and reducing disparities in a geographically defined population through non-clinical approaches that address social, behavioral, environmental, economic, and medical determinants of health. Population health, meanwhile, focuses on the health outcomes of defined groups of people (populations) and the distribution of those outcomes within the group, whether the population is defined by geography or shared characteristics such as age, socioeconomic status, or diagnosed conditions.

Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Community Health and Population Health

Because community health and population health are such an integral part of the public health field, bachelor’s degree programs in community health and population health are a great opportunity to develop fundamental skills that will carry you throughout your career in public health.

These four-year programs introduce students to the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of health education programs and provide them with the knowledge to address health concerns in groups and individuals. The educational component of these programs adds the communication aspect of public health, helping create understanding among professionals and community members, which is crucial to the development of successful health education programs.

Like most bachelor’s-level programs, community health and population health programs require students to take courses that contribute to their overall knowledge in general education as well as in core program courses. Students may build their experience through research, internships and classroom activities.

Curriculum for a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health and Population Health

During an undergraduate community health and population health degree program, students may be expected to take courses that are fundamental to their understanding of community health education and population health practices and policies. This can include classes that focus on disease prevention, communication methods and techniques, worksite population health and family health and wellness. Additionally, there will be courses on proper methods for educating people from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, as well as classes dedicated to the health and wellness of women and children.

As with most bachelor’s programs, these degrees typically require 120 credit hours for completion and often include an internship or capstone project. This may vary depending on where students attend college and whether any previously completed coursework is included. Here are a few sample courses:

Nutrition Across the Lifespan

This course examines the importance of proper nutrition from birth through old age. The different stages of life may be outlined in detail, providing students with a better understanding of promotional tactics that encourage better living for individuals.

Intro to Health Behavior

This course seeks to help students understand the relationship between health and psychology. Students may gain a deeper understanding of how people respond to illness and of practices that can enhance health and wellness from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Anatomy and Physiology

Students taking this course have the opportunity to learn about the structure and function of the human body. Bodily systems are discussed in detail, as well as how disease and illness affect the body.

Master’s Degree Programs in Community Health and Population Health

As the public learns more about the different hazards and illnesses in the environment and how living a healthy lifestyle can benefit moods, sleep and overall well-being, fields such as community health and population health can grow even more. At the master’s level, such as Master of Public Health (MPH), or Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), students in community health and population health degree programs may have the option of gaining relevant skills in these two disciplines as well as management techniques needed to lead a team of employees on their path to better health for all.

At the master’s level, students may get a more in-depth look into community health and population health education, which can provide more expertise. Master’s-level education may also lead to more prominent jobs, which is especially helpful for professionals working in public health. For students considering a master’s in public health online program, there are over 60 online MPH programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Curriculum for an MPH Degree in Community Health and Population Health

Master’s programs in community health education and population health provide a more thorough study of the concepts and ideas surrounding the implementation of health programs. Students who choose these concentrations for their degree can take courses specific to their area of interest and closely examine real-life scenarios.

Different perspectives of community health are touched on throughout this type of program, including widespread prevention, education and implementation of lawful public health policies. Nutrition, exercise, education and research are some of the main components of the population health degree program, which encourages students to have well-rounded mindfulness of how each of these can potentially affect public health.

These programs take one to three years to complete, depending on whether students attend full time or part time. Most universities require 45 to 60 credit hours and a capstone project or thesis. However, these components vary depending on where students attend college and whether any previously completed coursework is included. Online programs are more prominent than ever, making this a great opportunity for interested students.

Coursework can include these aspects:

Health Education Program Planning

This course outlines the methods and preparations for effective health education program planning. Assessing individual needs, evaluating current programs and implementing helpful and strategic programs are some of the main topics taught. Students in this course may touch on the importance of effective research methods, biostatistics and program management.

Communication Strategies

Students taking this course may be encouraged to focus on the effectiveness of communication. Different communication methods such as word of mouth, written instruction and media communication may be discussed. Through course activities and case studies, students can learn how to effectively reach the public with active communication.

Program Planning and Research

This course outlines the methods and preparations for effective health education and introduces students to research methods applicable to community health. Finding applicable research subjects, designing a research plan and analyzing results are all included in this process.

Health Policy and Management

Proper management techniques and policy analysis may be taught in this class, along with ethics, diversity and personnel management. Students are taught to manage a public health team, including proper business practices and organizational concerns.

Return to Program Table

Return to Program Table

Doctorate Programs in Community Health and Population Health

Doctorate programs focusing on community health and population health are designed for motivated students who wish to see an improvement in health and health awareness in communities, states and across the world. These programs provide students with the tools to research and evaluate programs to create accurate, helpful and efficient public health professionals.

The doctorate program can take two to four years, depending on whether students have bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Most universities require students to have some experience in community or population health, while others require completion of degree programs in these areas. There are online degree programs across the country that provide quality education to students through innovative learning environments.

Curriculum for Doctoral Degrees in Community Health and Population Health

Doctorate programs focus on the research and application of various promotional policies. Students may also choose a concentration for their degree program. Specialties for this degree program can include behavioral health, research, management, population health and global health. Students who choose a concentration for their degree program may gain more specialized knowledge in their chosen discipline and will have focus courses in addition to the core courses listed below.

Some PhD programs require around 60 credit hours. Depending on the university and the concentration, the classes students take in this degree program may differ from those in similar programs. Doctoral degree programs usually require extensive independent coursework and fieldwork, mostly in real-world settings.

Some of the common courses for this degree program are listed below:

Foundations of Epidemiology

This course seeks to provide definitions, examples and explanations of the reasoning and biology behind various illnesses and diseases. Students will investigate case studies and draw conclusions about how illness and disease are maintained and spread throughout communities.

Economics of Public Health Systems

This course teaches the economic, financial and ethical concerns associated with the public health system. Students may learn how funding and budgeting are important part of developing effective public health programs, as well as how these topics can pose challenges. The economic state of different areas and its effects on public health may also be discussed, providing students with more insight into the overall wellness of different groups.

Social Psychology

Social Psychology is a course about how people feel, act and think during social interactions. It is important that public health students understand how human interaction shapes the development of health-related ideas and habits. Health promotion relies on the acceptance of health education as a primary means of change, so, at its core, social psychology can help students understand how this information is used and transmitted throughout society.

Environmental Health

Environmental health can provide students with the knowledge to investigate the effects of pollution, biology and other environmental triggers on human health. This course examines how the environment shapes the development of effective community health policies.

Career Options and Industries Outlook

Professionals in community health and population health have a wide range of career options. Their knowledge of health is applicable across multiple work environments, and there are many ways for people in these fields to make a positive difference that suits their preferences. The job outlook of community health professionals in the coming years looks bright. As shown below, community health roles are projected to grow faster than average across all occupations.

What Can You Do with a Community Health or Population Health Degree?

Community health and population health are important parts of society. Specialists can help develop health-conscious programs and identify evidence and information on the causes of disease or illness spread. There are numerous potential fields where these practitioners can find employment.

Find examples of some of the careers and median annual salaries (as of May 2024) and growth projections (2024–2034) listed below.

• Social and Community Service Managers: $78,240 per year, with a 6% projected growth rate (faster than average).
• Dietitian and Nutritionist: $73,850 per year, with a 6% projected growth rate (faster than average).
• Epidemiologist: $83,980 per year, with a 16% projected growth rate (much faster than average).
• Health Education Specialists: $63,000 per year, with a 4% projected growth rate (about as fast as average).
• Community Health Workers: $51,030 per year, with an 11% projected growth rate (much faster than average).
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists: $80,060 per year, with a 4% projected growth rate (about as fast as average).

Is a Community Health or Population Health Degree Worth It?

If you’re passionate about public health and helping people on micro and macro levels, you may find a very fulfilling career following your education—especially considering the numerous career paths in this field. Whether or not the degree is worth it depends on your goals and how you see yourself applying your skills and passion for public health in the future. If the roles and importance of these professions mentioned in this article align with your career goals, a degree in community health or population health may be right for you.