Academic Catalog

Public Health Education Major

Department: Family and Consumer Sciences

A major in public health education is an interdisciplinary, community-focused program that will prepare graduates to develop programs and materials to help individuals and community groups make healthy lifestyle choices.

Through an innovative program, students will understand the concept of community wellness, disease prevention, and optimal well-being. A strong background in both the natural and social sciences will equip students to address today’s public health issues. Students have the flexibility in this major to choose electives in an area of emphasis that meets their personal career goals, such as women's health, child health, mental health, sustainability, or others. Students graduating from this program will be eligible to take the national exam for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.

Graduates with a B.S. in public health education will be competitive for jobs in public health: health education, social service agencies, healthcare providers, private and non-profit organizations such as local and state health departments, hospitals, agencies such as the American Red Cross and YMCA, and other human services groups. Graduates will also be well prepared to enter graduate school in a variety of programs, such as public health and health education.