Is a Health Education Degree Right for Me?

An undergraduate health education degree benefits anyone with a desire to professionally train others on health wellness. It leads to an important career in helping others make informed decisions pertaining to their well-being and the well-being of those around them.

Health education degrees are right for students interested in contributing to global health and developing communication, instructional, and critical thinking skills. Students gain knowledge and skills to promote health improvement and preventive health.

What Is a Health Education Degree?

A health education degree from an accredited institution is a well-respected credential that employees look for in candidates for certain health education positions. These degrees signify an individual's determination to distribute health knowledge and improve health conditions.

There are four types of health education degrees. We describe each one in more detail below.

• community health education: prepares students for planning and producing community health programs that promote healthy behaviors and leads to social and ethical responsibility
• education degree with a health education endorsement: for teaching school-based health education in public schools
• general health education: covers the foundations of health education and explores methods and materials for providing high quality health instruction in healthcare-related work environments
• health education and health promotion: teaches how to create healthier environments and advocate for community health
• public health education: focuses on research and topics like epidemiology, health policy and administration, social and behavioral sciences, and more

A health education degree is necessary for providing health education services such as disseminating health knowledge among different audiences and creating solutions to issues and concerns in health education.

What Does a Health Education Major Study?

Courses in a health education program depend on the institution and type of health education program. In general, health education majors can expect to learn about the following:

• biostatistics
• communicable diseases
• environmental health
• methods and materials

Health education majors study the health needs of individuals, families, and communities and learn how to deliver information that promotes good health and well-being. Additionally, they learn how to create health plans and programs and lead interventions.

Concentration options and specialized courses give students an opportunity to enhance their degree. Top concentration options include:

• community health
• health studies
• women's health issues
• minority health issues

Many bachelor's degree programs in health education meet the requirements for eligibility to become a certified health education specialist (CHES) or a licensed public school teacher.

Why You Should Consider a Degree in Health Education

You should consider a degree in health education if it supports your personal and professional goals as well as your financial situation. We provide six reasons below for considering a health education degree.

Career Goals and Personal Interests

You should consider a degree in health education if you are interested in a career providing health training and guidance to others. You may be personally interested in good hygiene, physical education, and coaching.

Professional Opportunities

There are lots of professional opportunities for health education graduates and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment for health educators to increase in forthcoming years. Undergraduate health education degrees contribute to professional opportunities such as:

• community health workers
• health counselors
• nutritionists

Well-Respected Degree

A degree in health education from an accredited university is a well-respected degree amongst schools, non-profit healthcare organizations, and other healthcare employers. Well-respected undergraduate degrees allow students to enroll in a graduate degree program more easily.

Prior Experience

You might consider a degree in health education if you have prior work experience or have transfer credits from an accredited institution. Prior work experiences that relate to earning a health education degree include:

• substitute teaching
• volunteering in healthcare facilities
• working in a gym

Financial Growth

A bachelor's or master's degree in health education can lead to financial growth. Employers typically pay employees with more educational knowledge and skills a higher salary than employees without a college degree.

Affordability and Flexibility

Affordable health education degree programs are available through accredited colleges and universities that offer financial aid and tuition assistance options for students to lower tuition costs.

Furthermore, many accredited institutions offer online and hybrid degree programs for students that require a flexible schedule to earn their college degree. Online options for earning a health education degree may include:

• asynchronous learning
• competency-based learning
• synchronous learning

Job Opportunities for Health Education Degree Majors

Health education degree majors can expect career options in healthcare facilities, schools, the government, and more. Students should consider a health education degree to become one of the following:

• community health educator
• fitness counselor
• health education specialist
• public school teacher in health and physical education
• wellness manager

Health Education Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

A health education degree does not need much convincing. There are several questions you can ask yourself to figure out if a health education degree would be right for you.

• Do I lead a healthy lifestyle?
• Do I remind people of healthy habits?
• Am I a people person?
• Do I have communication skills?