The Department of Community Health at Iconic Open University is a dedicated academic unit committed to training competent primary healthcare professionals who can address community health challenges through flexible, technology-driven learning. As part of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, the Department offers the Bachelor of Community Health Science (B.CHS.) at the undergraduate level—a 500 level programme designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services to individuals and families in both rural and urban communities.
The programme covers essential areas including immunization, reproductive health, nutrition, sanitation, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and population health, while developing critical skills such as communication, problem-solving, and data analysis through classroom teaching, field trips, workshops, and hands-on experience. At the postgraduate level, the Department offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Community Health Education, a two-semester programme that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of community health issues and the skills needed to implement sustainable health education programmes, covering social determinants of health, behavioural change theories, and community health assessment techniques.
The Department is committed to producing skilled community health practitioners, educators, and advocates through innovative teaching, cutting-edge research, and community engagement, with a focus on transforming lives through technology and strengthening primary healthcare delivery. In line with the university’s open distance and e-learning model, the Department ensures students receive rigorous, industry-relevant training while balancing their studies with professional and personal commitments.
Demonstrating its commitment to academic excellence, the Department has formally engaged the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) to secure accreditation for its programmes, ensuring graduates meet national professional standards. With a vision to lead in community health education, the Department prepares graduates to excel in various sectors, including primary healthcare centres, hospitals, government health ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public health departments, and international health agencies, contributing to improved health outcomes and strengthened primary healthcare systems across Nigeria and beyond.
