HPER
Community Health Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Students can complete either a 45-hour major or a 25-hour minor in community health education. Both academic options prepare students to become a Certified Health Education Specialist, which is a national certification program for the health education profession. Students enrolled in the CHE program are exposed to courses and experiences that prepare them to work as a health educator in community based settings. Focus is placed on planning, implementingand evaluating programs designed to assist individuals in changing or preventing negative health behaviors such as smoking, obesity, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex, stress, etc. Students learn how to apply skills (assessment, planning, implementation
and evaluation) to prevent a variety of community-wide health
problems, such as infant mortality, heart disease and cancer,
violence, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and teen
pregnancy. Health educators are employed in public health departments,
hospitals and non-profit community agencies (e.g., American Cancer
Society, drug prevention agencies).
Outside the classroom
Eligible students are invited to participate in Eta Sigma Gamma, a national award-winning health education honorary which sponsors numerous health related education, serviceand research projects.
Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
American Association for Health Education
Career possibilities
- hospitals
- worksite/corporate health promotion programs
- government agencies (public health departments)
- health insurance companies (HMOs)
- a variety of community-based organizations such as substance abuse agencies, pregnancy prevention programs, HIV/AIDS prevention programs, community assessment initiativesand heart and cancer associations
Need more information or want to chat about your options in the Community Health Education program? Contact: Dr. Robert Bensley - (269) 387-3081