Is 30 Too Old to Get a Health Education Degree?

Earning a degree in health education prepares students to design and implement health programs for communities. They also learn what it takes to market and manage finances for these programs.

Health education is a great option for individuals looking to make a difference. But what if you're in your 30s? Is it too late to return to school? You're never too old to get a health education degree — whether you're 30 or older.

However, going back to school is not a decision you should make in haste. You'll want to look at reasons to return to school and find out what to expect in a health education program. Also, learn what you can do with your degree after graduating.

Reasons To Earn Your Health Education Degree at 30

Attending school for health education can make a significant difference in your personal and professional life. Here are some great reasons to earn your degree in your 30s.

Job Security

If you're already in a health education career, earning a bachelor's degree can help you keep your job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unemployment for bachelor's degree holders ages 25 and older was 2.2% in 2023, while it was 3.9% for individuals with high school diplomas.

Make Career Advancements

Earning a bachelor's degree in health education makes it easier to showcase your knowledge and practical experience in the field. A higher level of expertise means greater ease in moving up the ladder with your current company or securing a new role with a different employer.

Build Your Professional Skills

Whether you want to enter the health education field or advance in your current role, you'll need to prove you have the skills to get the job done. A health education bachelor's program teaches skills specific to the field while also helping to build professional skills like:

• leadership
• communication
• decision-making
• critical-thinking
• problem-solving

What Will I Learn In a Health Education Degree Program?

A health education program teaches students how to:

• assess the need for a health education program
• plan health education programs
• implement a program in a community
• act as a health education program's point of contact
• advocate for wellness and health education

Courses explore diet and nutrition, models for health and wellness, health communication, and how to plan and assess health education programs. A great program to consider is one that aligns its coursework with Certified Health Educational Specialist (CHES) examination requirements.

What Can I Do With My Health Education Degree?

Once you've completed your health education bachelor's degree program, your next step is to secure your dream job. Fortunately, many roles are out there for individuals with health education degrees.

Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists promote health and wellness. Duties include the following:

• Determine the health needs of individuals and groups.
• Create programs and events to educate on various health topics.
• Assist clients with finding health services.
• Train community health workers.

According to the BLS, employment of health education specialists is expected to grow faster than average at 7% from 2022 to 2032.

Community Health Worker

A community health worker helps people adopt healthy behaviors. Primary duties include the following:

• Conduct home visits and other forms of outreach.
• Help individuals find care with health and social services.
• Provide mental health support, nutritional training, and substance abuse assistance.
• Advocate for individuals who need food, housing, and other support.

Community health worker employment is projected to increase by 14% from 2022 to 2032 — much faster than average.

Medical and Health Services Manager

Medical and health services managers are in charge of coordinating, planning, and directing health services. Some of their duties include the following:

• Create goals to ensure a facility offers quality healthcare services.
• Recruit, train, manage, and create work schedules for workers.
• Make sure a healthcare facility complies with laws and regulations.
• Manage finances by preparing and monitoring budgets.

The employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average.

Fitness Trainer

A fitness trainer motivates individuals and groups of people to improve their health through stretching, strength training, and other exercises. Duties include the following:

• Explain how to perform exercises while minimizing injuries.
• Make sure clients use the proper exercise techniques.
• Create and adapt fitness plans to help clients reach their goals.
• Provide first aid if necessary.

Fitness trainer employment is projected to grow much faster than average at 14% from 2022 to 2032.

FAQs About Starting a Health Education Degree at 30

The following frequently asked questions give more information about starting a health education degree program at 30.

Are There Benefits To Starting My Health Education Degree at 30?

Starting your health education degree at 30 can benefit you in more ways than one. Here are some perks to going back to school at a later age:

• Use transfer credits from previous college experiences to apply toward your degree.
• Obtain college credits from your work, training, and other life experiences.
• Navigate your college experience with greater ease thanks to the maturity you possess as an older student.

How Do I Decide If I Should Go Back to College?

It's not always easy to decide whether going back to school is best. Answering the following questions can help you decide:

• Am I ready to make a career change?
• Do I have the discipline and time to learn and study?
• Can loved ones help me manage daily tasks while I'm in class?

Are There Any Free or Affordable Health Education Degree Programs?

While there are no free health education programs available that lead to degrees, you can make earning a degree more affordable with the following tips:

• Look into financial aid options like federal grants.
• Consider applying for scholarships.
• See if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program.
• Find out about tuition reduction programs, grants, and scholarships if you're an active military member or veteran.