Health education is a social science that draws from the biological, environmental, psychological, physical, and medical sciences to promote health and prevent disease, disability and premature death through education-driven voluntary behavior change activities.
Community Health Educator VideoU.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines health educators (SOC 21-1091.00) as those who promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health by assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors, collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies and environments. They may also serve as a resource to assist individuals, other professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Health educators work to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness through educating individuals and communities about behaviors that promote healthy living and prevent diseases and other health problems.
They attempt to prevent illnesses by informing and educating individuals and communities about health-related topics, such as proper nutrition, the importance of exercise, how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, and the habits and behaviors necessary to avoid illness. They begin by assessing the needs of their audience, which includes determining which topics to cover and how to best present the information. For example, they may hold programs on self-examinations for breast cancer to women who are at higher risk or may teach classes on the effects of binge drinking to college students. Health educators must take the cultural norms of their audience into account. For example, programs targeted at the elderly need to be drastically different from those aimed at a college-aged population.
The Seven Areas of Responsibility are a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of the health education specialist. Get more information about becoming a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Seven Areas of Responsibility:
Yes! Several of the faculty within the department have research projects. Meet with them! Do you have your own research questions you would like to explore? Meet with the faculty! You are strongly encouraged to become involved in research.
| HSS 675 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Individual Level | 3 |
| HSS 676 Community Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| HSS 684 Program Planning in Health Education and Promotion | 3 |
| HSS 655 Current Trends and Issues in Health and Sport Sciences | 3 |
| HSS 631 Leadership in Health Promotion | 3 |
| ELFH 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics | 3 |
| HSS 604 Research Methods in Health and Sport Sciences | 3 |
| HSS 692 Internship/Practicum | 6 |
| Courses approved by advisor | 9 |
Minimum total credit hours: 36
Exit Requirements: Student must also submit a portfolio of all Hallmark Assessments and internship materials as well as satisfactorily complete an exit exam or thesis.
Exit Recommendations: Students are strongly encouraged to take the Certified Health Education Specialist exam.
For details about this program, visit the Graduate Catalog.
Note: Meeting GRE score and GPA minimums do not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program.
Prospective students must submit an online application for admission to the University of Louisville School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
The deadlines will be:
The Community Health Admissions Screening Committee requires the following materials before reviewing applications:
Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.
Faculty may require interviews in addition to written credentials as part of the admission process.
Learn more about our program faculty.
Carol O'Neal
Department of Health & Sport Sciences
HP/Theatre Arts Bldg, Room 102
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-5004
Health educators educate patients about medical procedures, operations, services and therapeutic regimens, create activities and incentives to encourage use of services by high risk patients.
Health educators do community organizing and outreach, grant writing, coalition building, advocacy, and develop, produce, and evaluate mass media health campaigns.
Health educators implement Coordinated School Health Programs, including health services, student, staff, and parent health education.
Health educators are part of a team working to create an environment in which students feel empowered to make healthy choices and create a caring community.
Health educators perform or coordinate employee counseling as well as education services, employee health risk appraisals, and health screenings.
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include graduate assistantships and other employment opportunities. You may also check for other availabilities on campus.