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Health Education Specialist ,Certificate

Health Education Specialist, Certificate

Academic programs / Undergraduate minors and certificates / Health Education Specialist

Health Advocacy, Health Behavior, Health Care, 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 gives graduates 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 ▲

Curriculum ▲
View curriculum archives
Requirement Minimum Grade Credit Hours
The certificate in health education specialist consists of 27 credit hours, of which at least 15 must be upper division. A minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) is required for each course.
HEP 102: Foundations of Health Education and Health Promotion
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
HEP 348: Methods of Health Education or HEP 386: Assessing Strengths and Needs for Health Education and Promotion
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
HEP 361: Digital Health Communication and Education
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
HEP 452: Health Advocacy in Health Education
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
HEP 454: Health Promotion Program Planning and Implementation
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
HEP 466: Health Promotion Program Management and Administration
3 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 3
9 Credit Hours
Minimum Grade:C
 C 9
Notes
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment requirements ▲

GPA Requirement: 2.00

Incompatible Majors: None

Other Enrollment Requirements: None

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds 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. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 7% increase in the field between 2023 and 2033. 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 in:

  • 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, wellness centers and the American Red Cross.

Graduates of this program have varied opportunities, including these positions:

  • community health educator
  • community outreach coordinator
  • grant writer
  • patient education coordinator
  • prevention specialist
  • program evaluator
  • public information 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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