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Health Education Specialist ,Certificate

Health Education Specialist, Certificate


Health Advocacy, Health Behavior, Health Care, Health Education, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Prevention, Public Health, School, Wellness, community health

Do you want to reduce health disparities and help people improve their lives? Develop the skills it takes to become a certified health education specialist and protect the health of individuals and communities.

Description

Health education and health promotion professionals fill a critical role as they teach individuals how to stay well by living healthy lifestyles. They also help mobilize communities to advocate for and create healthy environments, and they champion health equity through policy, advocacy and environmental change.

In this certificate program, students learn how to plan, implement, manage and evaluate health promotion programs that improve health outcomes and prevent chronic and infectious disease.

This certificate enables students to sit for the certified health education specialist exam through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (https://www.nchec.org/). CHES is a globally recognized credential for health professionals. Having CHES certification provides graduates with a competitive edge in the job market, and individuals who have earned the CHES credential can identify themselves as a certified health education specialist.

At a glance
Program requirements

The certificate requires a total of 25 credit hours. A minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) is required for each course.
In order to receive the certificate, students must complete their bachelor's degree at ASU along with all certificate requirements.
Required Courses -- 25 credit hours
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment requirements

GPA Requirement: 2.00

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Career opportunities

Employment of health educators is expected to grow much faster than the average for all professions, with the U.S. Department of Labor predicting a 17% increase in the field between 2020 and 2030. The need for quality health education specialists has never been more critical than it is today.

Health education specialists, also known as health educators, can work with:

  • businesses
  • government
  • health departments
  • hospitals and clinics
  • nonprofit organizations
  • schools
  • tribal nations

Health education specialists work at organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Heart Association, Army Wellness Centers and the American Red Cross, and some join the Peace Corps.

Graduates of this program have varied opportunities, including the following positions:

  • cancer information specialist
  • community health educator
  • community outreach coordinator
  • diabetes educator
  • grant writer
  • lactation consultant
  • prevention specialist
  • wellness coordinator
Professional licensure

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.

Contact information

College of Health Solutions | HLTHN 401AA
chs@asu.edu
602-496-3300

What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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