Health Education Program

Welcome to the Health Education Program Page. Students in the Health Education Program acquire skills to promote healthy lifestyle choices in individual and group settings using culturally appropriate health education methodologies. Students who graduate with the BS in Health Education are well poised to assess the needs of the community, plan, design, implement, manage and evaluate health education programs designed to improve the health and well-being of communities. They may pursue careers that focus on health education, program planning, outreach, advocacy, and policy development focused on the promotion of health, disease prevention and the achievement of health equity. Graduates are employed in many different professional settings including health departments, non-profit agencies, community organizations, schools and universities. The undergraduate curriculum also provides an excellent foundation for health education and related graduate programs, as well as professional health programs such as public health, nursing, medical school, physician assistant, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Concentrations

• The generalist degree prepares the early career professional for health education with a broad knowledge and skill set within the health education field upon which to build a career pathway.
• The community health concentration prepares the early career professional to work in community setting and focus specifically on community-based health initiatives operated by public sector and/or non-governmental agencies.
• The health administration concentration prepares health educators to serve in various administrative roles in health care organizations functioning to ensure the day-to-day operations of services.

The Health Education Program also offers a Pre Professional Physical Therapy (PPPT) Advisement Track designed to provide advisement support to students who are interested in pursuing a licensed professional career in physical therapy (i.e., doctor of physical therapy -- DPT). The PPPT track is not a separate degree or concentration but an advisement opportunity to prepare students to be eligible for consideration by DPT programs guided by professionals in the field.

Career Opportunities:

• Local and state health departments
• State or national government agencies
• Voluntary and non-profit agencies
• Corporate and hospital-based wellness centers
• Employee wellness programs

Additional Information:

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES): Students who successfully complete the bachelor’s degree may take the CHES exam — a national voluntary certification recommended by numerous health employers. The CHES designation after a health educator’s name is a highly recognized and valued indication of professional competency and commitment to continued professional development.