Lessons Learned re: Undergraduate Community Health Advising

George Mason University undergraduates have flocked to a Bachelor in Community Health program since its inception in 2008. Students at this large state university with an interest in health and/or global outreach have found the BS in Community Health an alternative to psychology, biology, or global affairs. The program has grown in six years from 50 to almost 500 students, stretching the capability of the undergraduate advisors. Students traditionally were able to choose from four concentrations: global health, health education, nutrition, and pre-health and now can choose global health, clinical science, and no concentration. Millennial undergraduate students have high expectations for customized advising. Students anticipate one-on-one sessions to plan courses; to assess career tracks including entry-level and future job possibilities; and to discuss graduate school plans.

The strength of a community or public health curriculum is that students can tailor the program to meet their needs. However, assessment of their needs takes time, and advisors find themselves over-burdened on a daily basis. Additionally, some students change focus mid-way through their programs, especially if they were intending to matriculate into a post-graduate clinical program and did not succeed in the sciences. These students need assistance re-focusing their career plans.  Colleges interested in adding undergraduate public or community health programs need to plan for increased advising capacity.