Health education is an academic area that fosters the acquisition of skills and competencies to assist individuals, families, and communities to make informed decisions related to health. CBU's Health Education major will provide students the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including public and private health clinics, hospitals, and wellness centers. Students will learn how to influence healthcare trends by planning and evaluating both community and individual health programs because a health educator encourages individuals and communities to adopt behaviors that promote healthy living and prevent diseases. This major will also prepare students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Program Design and Career Opportunities
The field of Allied Health is one that is rapidly expanding in the United States and in Southern California. The two leading healthcare trends in the United States are the increase in the aging population and the epidemic of obesity. These two trends will influence health care for the next generation and the Health Education program will strategically position and train future healthcare educators and providers. Your CBU professors have extensive experience and knowledge in the field of Health Education and are able to bridge applied and academic practice to the classroom environment.
Career opportunities in the field of Allied Health are predicted to be excellent in the years to come, as health-related professions are some of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Health educator careers are available in a number of settings including county health departments, health clinics, physical therapy clinics, schools, universities, and hospitals.
Health Education Program Student Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the United States Health Care system.
- Demonstrate competence in health information literacy.
- Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and the scientific method.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the relationship between disease prevention and health promotion.
- Display effective professional communication skills.
- Ability to demonstrate competence in applied statistical analysis.
- Exhibit appropriate use of health informatics computer technology skills.
- Develop skills to collaborate and consult as a member of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the scientific literature, understand and synthesize relevant information from it, and be able to convey this information both orally and in writing.
- Ability to act as a resource person in community health programs and activities.
- Ability to understand and apply Health Education principles to diverse populations and throughout the lifespan.
- Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs.
Health Education BS Program Requirements (39 units)
Lower Division Core Courses
ALH 101 Introduction to Allied Health Professions
BEH 100 Survey of the Behavioral Sciences
BIO 153 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
BIO 173 Medical Terminology
HSC 104 Survey of U.S. Health Care Delivery Systems
HSC 210 Ethics in Health Care
KIN 212 First Aid and Safety
MAT 144 Introduction to Statistics
PSY 120 Lifespan Development for Health Professions
PSY 213 General Psychology
Upper Division Core Courses
HSC 300 Health Communication
HSC 305 Epidemiology
HSC 310 Public Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
HSC 315 Therapeutic Interventions
HSC 410 Health Behavior Change
HSC 460 Planning & Evaluating Health Education & Health Promotion Programs
HSC 480 Research Methods
HSC 491 Internship in Health Science
KIN 302 Contemporary Health Issues