Requirements

The curriculum includes a 15-credit hour core of community health courses that constitutes the foundation of the program complemented by a minimum of six credit hours of practicum experience or six hours of thesis research. The remaining 15 hours of  course work  for completion of the program are intended to provide the student with the opportunity to develop an emphasis area that complements the core courses. The emphasis areas are intended to supplement the professional knowledge and skills that the student will apply in the practice of community health.
 
The program, therefore, includes a minimum of 36 hours of course work  including a thesis or practicum and a comprehensive exam.

Comprehensive Examination. Beginning with students admitted for FALL Semester 2005.  All students will be required to take the Comprehensive Exam.  This includes students who enroll in the Distance Community Health, Health Care Management Program, who currently do not. The Comprehensive Exam will be offered during Spring and Fall semester only.  The written exam will take place the third Monday and Tuesday in October and the third Monday and Tuesday in March.

Students will usually take the Comprehensive Exam in the semester that they are completing their coursework in the program.  Students must pass the comprehensive exam prior to beginning their practicum or thesis.  Students who will be completing the final 6 hours of their coursework in the summer may apply to take the exam in either the Spring Semester before or the Fall semester after.

Students interested in applying to take the Comprehensive Exam must turn in a written application prior to September 10th for Fall and February 10th for Spring. Students who have an I (Incomplete) grade in a course which has turned into an F must have that grade removed prior to turning in their application form in order to be considered eligible to take the exam.

Exam questions will come from the 5 core course areas and one question will come from the student's emphasis area i.e. Health Education and Promotion, Health Care Management, Environmental Health and Long Term Care.

Students will receive an e-mail notice at their ODU e-mail address regarding an informational meeting, which will be scheduled prior to the comprehensive exam.  Members of the faculty group grading the exam will be present and students will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding the exam.

In order to be able to sit for the exam, students must be signed up for at least one credit (CHP 999). Students who are not taking course work during the semester they are taking the exam should consult with the program director for the registration. The exam will begin promptly at 9 a.m. on the date scheduled.  We recommend that students arrive early in order to get settled in the computer lab or whatever area they have been designated to take the exam.  No books or papers will be allowed in the exam area unless authorized by the faculty member writing the exam question.  Signature of The Honor Code will be required of all students on all exams.

Students who pass the written portion of the exam will be notified by e-mail and scheduled to take the oral portion the Monday and Tuesday following the written exam. Students who fail the written portion of the exam will be allowed to take the written portion they failed the next semester it is offered or up to one year following the first attempt. Students who fail the written exam twice will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Thesis or Practicum Option. Students must complete a six-credit practicum (CHP 669) or a six-credit thesis (CHP 698).