Examine Your Interests

The Community Health & Human Services group will help you learn more about potential career paths in these fields. Career preparation in this community can lead to employment opportunities with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or for-profit corporations.

Key Skills

Background in social sciences, needs assessment, evaluation, programming, administration, policy or protocol development, problem solving, attention to detail, interpersonal communication, grant writing, and experience in community or workplace settings with diverse populations.

Common Majors

• UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
  Community Health (BSPH)
  Human Development & Family Studies (BS)
  Safety (BS)
  Youth Development (BS)
• GRADUATE MAJORS
  Behavior, Social, and Community Health (MPH)
  Public Health Administration (MPH)
  Health Promotion (MS)
  Safety Management (MS)

Explore Options

• I want to teach people about behaviors that promote wellness.
  Consider becoming a health educator and community health worker. They devise programs to improve the health of individuals and communities. Community health workers collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities. They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government, clinics, businesses, and universities. Health educators need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Many employers require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential. The level of education for community health workers varies depending on the job and training provided.
  

• I want to plan, coordinate, and lead health services and/or medical care.
  Consider becoming a public health administrators and health service manager. They may work in hospitals, healthcare networks, and public health systems. Most individuals working in this field have a master’s degree and have sought out practical experience in the field. They may manage an entire facility or a specific department within an organization in accordance with healthcare laws and regulations.
  

• I want to help family members understand and overcome challenges with their family dynamics.
  Consider becoming a marriage & family therapist. They may work with couples, children, or families. Therapists work in a variety of settings, such as private practice and mental health centers.  Marriage and family therapists are required to have a master’s degree and a license to practice. Students interested in this career path may earn bachelor’s degrees in related fields such as human development and family studies or youth development prior to entering graduate school.
  

• I want to provide treatment and support to help clients recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.
  Consider becoming a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor. They advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, mental health issues, or other mental or behavioral problems. They work in a wide variety of settings, such as mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice.  Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree is needed for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, and a master’s degree plus an internship is typically required to become a mental health counselor.
  

• I want to help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
  Consider becoming a social worker. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. Social workers work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, community development corporations, and private practices. While some positions are available for those with a bachelor’s degree, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and two years of experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice. Entry-level employment experience can be obtained as a social or human services assistant.
  

• I want to keep workplaces safe by complying with regulations on safety, health, and the environment.
  Consider becoming a occupational health and safety specialist. They identify potential hazards and conduct tests to ensure safety protocols are met. They work in a variety of settings: manufacturing facilities, construction sites, hospitals, and offices. The job may involve significant travel. This occupation requires great attention to detail and strong communication skills. In most cases, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, and many individuals have a master’s degree. Internships in safety settings and certifications are also needed.
  

• I want to coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations.
  Consider becoming a social and community service manager. They manage workers who provide social services to the public. Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, private for-profit social service companies, and government agencies.  Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree plus related work experience. Entry-level employment can be obtained as a social or human services assistant.
  

Source
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/, visited June 2022.

The outcomes on this page are filtered to common majors found within this specific career community. For a full view of outcomes across all programs and degrees in the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, explore the Outcomes page.