The Health discipline at Victor Valley College provides students with a comprehensive foundation in personal, community, and public health. Health coursework examines the biological, social, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence individual and population health, with an emphasis on prevention, wellness, health equity, and informed decision‑making across the lifespan.
The Health curriculum prepares students for transfer, career pathways, and informed civic engagement by integrating theory with practical applications. Areas of study include personal and community health, public health systems, nutrition, disease and injury prevention, health promotion, social justice, mental and behavioral health, and the impact of health disparities on diverse populations. Coursework encourages critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and an understanding of health from both personal and public perspectives.
Victor Valley College offers the Public Health Science Associate of Science for Transfer (A.S.‑T), which prepares students for transfer to the California State University system in a public health or health science‑related major. This degree focuses on disease and injury prevention, community wellness, and population‑based health strategies, while introducing students to career pathways within the public health field.
The college also offers the Nutrition and Dietary Science Associate of Science for Transfer (A.S.‑T), designed for students pursuing transfer in nutrition, dietetics, or related health science fields. This degree provides foundational knowledge in nutrition science and dietary principles while preparing students for continued study in health and nutrition‑related disciplines.
In addition to transfer degrees, the Health discipline offers noncredit certificates that support workforce preparation and community engagement, including certificates in Community Mental Health and Community Health Worker preparation. These certificates provide students with introductory knowledge and skills related to wellness, resiliency, advocacy, cultural humility, and community‑based health services, and may serve as pathways to employment or further education.
Health courses also fulfill general education and degree requirements and support students across multiple academic and career pathways. The Health discipline reflects Victor Valley College’s commitment to student success, equity, and the promotion of healthy individuals and communities.
Faculty
Blanchard, Debra
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication, and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Recognize fundamental concepts of physical activity, nutrition, and health, and apply critical thinking to solve problems from the student’s personal perspective and a public perspective.
- Critically evaluate forms of information related to Kinesiology and physical education, the student’s personal health and public health, including nutrition.
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Demonstrate social responsibility to improve quality of life for others and ensure equitable access for diverse groups by creating appropriate environments to initiate and maintain a physically active and a healthy lifestyle.