Community Health Education (CHE) - Courses

CHE 210 Cr.3

Foundations of Health Education

This course explores introductory concepts related to the field of health education. Basic principles, philosophies, and issues related to health education are presented. In addition, health education as a career option is examined and the role of the health educator in numerous settings discussed. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 220 Cr.1

Medical Terminology for Health Education

Skill development for working with the special language used in clinics, hospitals, and other health agencies. Students in various health fields will learn to use medically related terms in their professional communication. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 309 Cr.1

Stress Management and Relaxation Skills

This course is an introduction to the detrimental effects of stress on an individual and the corresponding benefits of regular relaxation. This course emphasizes the basic skills of relaxation and provides an experience that focuses on the practical application of these skills in one's life. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 310 Cr.3

Social and Structural Drivers of Health

This course examines each of the five major social drivers of health (SDOH) domains - economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context - and considers their impact on individual and population health and health inequities. This course also emphasizes the structural drivers of health, systems, and policies that affect the five domains and how resources are distributed. Prerequisite: admission to the public health and community health education major. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 320 Cr.3

The U.S. Health Care System

This course provides an overview and a developmental summary of the U.S. health care system and its driving forces and offers comparisons to other national health systems. Content includes major elements of the health care system and a consideration of today's major health policy issues in a historical, economic, and political context. The course also explores current issues confronting the health care system, raises important concerns and questions related to the different approaches to health care delivery, and identifies key ethical issues. Prerequisite: CHE 310, CHE 360, CHE 370; PH 340. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 325 Cr.3

Violence and Injury Prevention

This course involves a review of risk and protective factors for violence and injury and examines the impact of violence and injury on individuals, families, and communities. Local, state, national, and global trends regarding violence and injury are presented. Violence and injury prevention strategies are reviewed, resulting in the development of prevention and intervention proposals using the social ecological model. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 345 Cr.3

Issues in Mental and Emotional Health

This course examines the determinants of mental and emotional health which form a basis for health and healthy decisions. A variety of concepts that form the foundation for mental and emotional health (e.g., self-esteem, resilience, personality, social support and communication, mindfulness, mental health literacy, etc.) are presented and discussed. Factors that compromise mental and emotional health (e.g., stigma, addiction, grief, stress, trauma, etc.) are also examined. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 360 Cr.3

Methods and Strategies for Health Education

The purpose of this course is to help participants develop skills and strategies in relation to facilitation, instruction, as well as the use of theoretical concepts to more effectively implement health education and health promotion programs. Course participants gain an understanding of the various ways in which people learn and develop a variety of skills to create effective learning strategies. Participants also comprehend the fundamentals of social marketing as well as health literacy and how these concepts should be used to create more effective health education and health promotion programs. Additionally, participants learn how to use health behavior theories and models to create culturally appropriate health education materials. Prerequisite: admission to the public health and community health education major. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 369 Cr.3

Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior

This course is directed at introducing social, psychological, pharmacological, and cultural aspects of drug use, misuse, and abuse. In addition, the methods, materials, and theories of drug abuse prevention in the school and community are introduced. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

CHE 370 Cr.3

Motivational Interviewing for Health Educators

This course introduces participants to principles, concepts, and spirit of Motivational Interviewing (MI), which is an evidenced-based method, grounded in theory meant to facilitate behavior change. Participants will learn the process of exploring and resolving the ambivalence that often creates barriers to change in various populations. Participants will also learn how to properly share information, give advice, and plan for action using the spirit and methods of MI. Additionally, participants will also gain an understanding of how to interpret and apply a behavioral screening or diagnostic questionnaire as they relate to the referral individuals for MI with various health concerns that need to be addressed. Prerequisite: admission to the public health and community health education major. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 372 Cr.3

Sexual Health Promotion

This course is a review of current information on health and human sexuality. Emphasis is given to biological, psychosocial and educational aspects of human sexuality with special emphasis on instructional activities related to interpersonal communication, decision-making ability, and clarification of values. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 380 Cr.3

Assessment and Program Planning in Health Education

Grounded in the responsibilities of a health education specialist, this course requires groups of students to assess community needs and resources as well as plan health education programs. Following models commonly used in public health, students collect primary data as well as utilize secondary data to perform a comprehensive assessment of a population of interest. Reliable and valid resources that explain the health status of a population from the perspective of theories and ethically conducted research are used when prioritizing needs and planning interventions. Students learn about the necessity of early alignment between assessment and health education program goals and objectives. Professional competencies related to evaluating capacity and prompting community involvement are emphasized as essential to planning best practices solutions to community health needs. Prerequisite: CHE 310, CHE 360, CHE 370; PH 340; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 400 Cr.3

Health Policy, Advocacy, and Community Organizations

This course focuses on the process of engaging communities in health education and behavior change programs of various kinds. Several organizing paradigms for fostering healthy communities are examined, and their practical and ethical implications are considered. Skill development for community assessment, constituency-building, and leadership of participatory planning efforts is emphasized. Students are paired with health and human services, health policy and social justice agencies, and coalitions to gain an in-depth knowledge of agenda setting, legislative research, and legislative advocacy in relation to specific legislation being proposed in the Wisconsin state legislature. Prerequisite: CHE 310, CHE 360, CHE 370; PH 340. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 405 Cr.3

Physical Activity and Public Health

This course is designed for public health and community health educators who plan to work with individuals, clients, and/or patients in a variety of health, clinical, and community settings. Students will come away with an understanding of how to advance the use of physical activity for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and other health issues. The course will explore how physical activity improves health, including cardiorespiratory and metabolic diseases, overweight and obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, cancers, and mental health. Data on the prevalence and economic costs of physical inactivity are presented to demonstrate the scope of the health issues and the importance of addressing them. Evidence-based strategies for increasing physical activity in individuals and communities using three approaches (informational, behavioral and social, and environmental and policy) will be explored. Strategies for implementing physical activity opportunities in communities will also be addressed. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Spring.

CHE 412 Cr.3

Women's Health Issues

This course provides an opportunity for participants to identify major health issues confronting women today and to examine appropriate health prevention and health promotion lifestyle choices. It explores health issues from the traditional medical model to the holistic model and provides a comprehensive overview of critical, contemporary women's health issues. Offered Occasionally.

CHE 430 Cr.3

Grant Writing and Resource Management

The grant seeking enterprise is studied and applied to community and public health organizations, in areas of perceived community need. Content includes locating and communicating with funding agencies, writing and reviewing grant proposals, analyzing requests for proposals, using technology in grant seeking, and implementing and evaluating grant funded projects. Project planning and administrative competencies are incorporated. Budget planning and grant administration is identified and applied. Prerequisite: CHE 320, CHE 380, CHE 400; PH 335. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 450 Cr.3

Implementation, Administration, and Evaluation of Health Education Programs

In this course students implement, administer, and evaluate a community health education program. Interventions are based on professional best practices and social and behavioral theories and models. Data is collected that allow students to evaluate goals, objectives, and activities. Students are required to generate a report at the end of the semester that can be used to inform decision makers on the success of the program and can be added to the professional evidence base. Prerequisite: CHE 320, CHE 380, CHE 400, PH 335. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 471 Cr.2

Health Education Responsibilities, Competencies, and Certification

Participants have the opportunity to review the National Health Educator Competencies Update Project research resulting in a new hierarchical model that serves as a framework for the responsibilities and competencies comprising the Entry, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 levels. Each one of the eight Areas of Responsibility with selected competencies and sub-competencies are examined with practitioner examples, and a review is conducted for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national examination. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 473 Cr.3

Health Aspects of Aging

This course is an exploration of the lifelong aging process and an examination of health factors affecting the elderly. Emphasis is given to the changes in a variety of health areas including, but not limited to, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, long-term care, sexuality, and death, dying and grief. The course also includes a service-learning component. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 474 Cr.3

Nutrition Education

In this course, basic principles of nutrition are covered as well as current problems and topics regarding both personal and world nutrition today. Designed for the public school teacher, the community health educator, or those in related fields. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 475/575 Cr.1-3

Workshop in Health Education

Group study of varying health education topics, community agencies, and educational institutions. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Repeatable for credit under different topics - maximum six credits. Departmental option for pass/fail or letter grade. Prerequisite: junior standing. Consent of instructor. Offered Occasionally.

CHE 476 Cr.3

Infectious and Chronic Disease Prevention Strategies For Population Health

This course provides an in-depth review and discussion of primordial, primary, and secondary prevention strategies for current and emerging infectious and chronic diseases, focusing on endemic, epidemic, and pandemic prevention and control. The course incorporates scientifically accurate resources, particularly from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization, along with real-world examples and respected expert presenters. Collaboration among health and human service professionals drives the development of health-enhancing strategies aimed at improving population well-being. Students explore prevention applications in public health and examine potential future health challenges on the horizon. This collaborative experience with regional and national experts underscores the importance of effective preventive measures in addressing global health issues. Offered Fall, Spring.

CHE 480 Cr.3

Senior Capstone

This culminating course engages participants in applying the skills and concepts that they develop throughout the program curriculum. In particular, students apply the profession's areas of responsibility as well as ethical standards in various activities, discussions, and projects. In addition, participants 1) review selected community health topics in our Public Health and Community Health Education program; 2) are introduced to current issues in community health education, public health, and population health; 3) are introduced to the employment, educational, and political dynamics in selected occupational settings; and 4) assess and discuss their specific pre-professional needs at this point in time. Prerequisite: CHE 320, CHE 380, CHE 400; PH 335. Offered Fall, Spring.