What is Health Studies?

Health Studies is a term actually synonymous with our department name.  However, our degree actually prepares students to become health educators and enter a variety of health settings.  Specifically, the B.S. degree in Health Studies prepares students to direct, create, or evaluate health education programs that promote wellness and prevent disease.  The curriculum centers around the Areas of Responsibility outlined by the National Commission for Health Education (NCHEC) and enables graduates of our program to sit for the C.H.E.S.national certification exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialist.  More and more employers within the field of health promotion/health education are requiring this certification.

Click here for additional information on the Health Education field.

Click on the following link to view a 4-minute video on "What can you do with a degree in Health Studies": http://animoto.com/play/iJAcUTyjdf8Zdb4fpbO0Lg

The Seven Areas of Responsibilities for Professional Health Educators derived from the Competencies Update Project (CUP) are:

1. Assess Individual and Community Needs for Health Education
2. Plan Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs
3. Implement Health Education Strategies, Interventions and Programs
4. Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education
5. Administer Health Education Strategies, Interventions, and Programs
6. Serve as a Health Education Resource Person
7. Communicate and Advocate for Health and Health Education (Source: www.nchec.org. 2006)

CHES

A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) is a person who has passed the C.H.E.S. national certification exam . Graduates of our program are eligible to take the exam, which focuses upon the Seven Areas of Responsibility and 35 Competencies defining the role for Health Educators. These Areas of Responsibility form the foundation for the undergraduate and graduate programs in Health Studies and align with the national standards set forth by the SOPHE/AAHE Baccalaureate Program Approval Committee (SABPAC).  Detailed information about the CHES exam is provided for students when they take course, HS 1371 Introduction to Health Education and our capstone course, HS 4353 Seminar.  More information can be found also at http://www.nchec.org/ or 888-624-3248. 

Where Can I Get a Job?

The field of health is evolving at lightening speed to accommodate the shifts in our medical system.  (Information on the Top 50 US. Fastest Growing Occupations, 2006-2016 can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/top_50_united_states_fastest_grow_57586_7.htm ). The opportunities for health educators are abounding, as the need for preventative health services is increasing.  Most health educators work in medical care settings, colleges and universities, schools, public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and private business.

Within medical care facilities, health educators tend to work one-on-one with patients and their families. Their goal in this setting is to educate individual patients on their diagnosis and how that may change or affect their lifestyle. Often, this includes explaining the necessary procedures or surgeries as well as how patients will need to change their lifestyles in order to manage their illness or return to full health. This may include directing patients to outside resources that may be useful in their transition, such as support groups, home health agencies or social services. Often, health educators work closely with physicians, nurses, and other staff to create educational programs or materials, such as brochures, Web sites, and classes, for other departments. In some cases, health educators train hospital staff about how to better interact with patients.

Health educators in colleges and universities work primarily with the student population. Generally, they create programs on topics that affect young adults, like sexual activity, smoking, and nutrition. They may need to alter their teaching methods to attract audiences to their events. For example, they might show a popular movies followed by a discussion or hold programs in dormitories or cafeterias. They may teach courses for credit or give lectures on health-related topics. Often they train students as peer educators, who then lead their own programs.

Health educators in schools are typically found in secondary schools, where they generally teach health class. They develop lesson plans that are relevant and age appropriate to their students. They may need to cover sensitive topics, like sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drugs. They may be required to be able to also teach another subject such as science or physical education. Sometimes they may develop the health education curriculum for the school or the entire school district.

Heath educators in public health are employed primarily by State and local departments of public health and, therefore, administer State-mandated programs. They often serve as members of statewide councils or national committees on topics like aging. As part of this work, they inform other professionals in changes to health policy. They work closely with nonprofit organizations to help them get the resources they need, such as grants, to continue serving the community.

Health educators in nonprofits strive to get information out to the public on various health problems and make people aware of the resources their programs have to help people to the community. While some organizations target a particular audience, others educate the community regarding one disease or health issue. Therefore, in this setting, health educators may be limited in the topics they cover or the population they serve. Work in this setting may include creating print-based material for distribution to the community, often in conjunction with organizing lectures, health screenings, and activities related to increasing awareness.

In a work site setting in private industry, health educators create programs to inform the employees of an entire firm or organization. They organize programs that fit into workers’ schedules by arranging lunchtime speakers or daylong health screenings so that workers may come when it is most convenient. Educators in this setting must align their work with the overall goals of their employers. For example, a health educator working for a medical supply company may hold a program related to the company’s newest product. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008)

There are numerous career options and job titles affiliated with the field of Health Studies.  Examples include:

• Certified Health Educator
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Wellness Coordinator
• Public Health Specialist
• HIV Counselor/Outreach worker
• Field Investigator/Epidemiologist
• Health teacher
• District Health Education Coordinator
• Campus Wellness Director
• Health Services Coordinator
• Research Assistant
• Program Coordinator
• Employee Wellness Specialist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Injury Prevention Specialist
• Program Evaluator
• Grant Writer
• Patient Educator

There are a myriad of other job titles!   Most of our graduates work in a variety of settings all around the world.   Click on the following link to view a short video clip of some of the highlights of TWU's Health Studies Intern Fair 2010:  http://animoto.com/play/iDllF2FKxwEeAPbZNzSUMQ

What is the Usual Salary Range?

Because health educators work in a variety of settings, the income potential is highly variable. Job Search and Career Development Websites*

National Center for Health Fitness American University
Higheredjobs Online
Human Kinetics
Monsterboard
Medical Jobs at NationJobs.com
Net-Temps, "A World of Jobs"
Chronicle of Higher Education Classifieds
Occupational Outlook Handbook  

*Disclaimer:  The postings and website links above are for your information only.  Neither TWU nor the Department of Health Studies claim responsibility for the accuracy of these postings or web links. Please do not contact TWU or anyone in the Department of Health Studies regarding any of these postings.

Health Sites for Specilized Job Opportunities in Health Education/Promotion 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Department of Health and Human Services
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Health Ed Directory Home Page
Medical Matrix
Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report
National Center for Health Statistics
National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)