Health Education and Behavior

The Bachelor of Science in Health Education degree program allows students maximum flexibility to choose department specialization coursework during the junior and senior years that relates to personal interests in the health field. Students can focus their coursework on interest areas in health education and health promotion in community, clinical or worksite settings or in health studies as they prepare for professional health occupations.

Community Health Promotion

Students with a primary interest in community health education or worksite health promotion should select the Community Health Promotion specialization. Coursework in this specialization is focused on illness and disease prevention among special target groups within a particular community, with the ultimate goal of providing practical health information to diverse population groups through the use of behavioral interventions. Community health promotion specialists generally find employment in local, state or national government health agencies (state or county health departments, CDC, NIH) and in voluntary organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and American Heart Association. Worksite health promotion specialists find employment opportunities within diverse small and large businesses and organizations.

This specialization is also appropriate for students planning to pursue graduate programs in health education or related fields (community or public health, health administration, health policy and epidemiology and disease preventions).

Health Studies

Students who want in-depth knowledge of diverse health topics, with the intention to complete postbaccalaureate work in a professional health program such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, occupational therapy and physical therapy should select the health studies specialization. This specialization enables students to gain knowledge on a variety of health issues plaguing diverse population groups and to complete required prerequisite coursework for professional health programs. Students may also pursue graduate programs in health education or related fields (public health, health administration and epidemiology and disease prevention).

The Bachelor of Science in health education prepares students to work as a health education specialist in schools, government agencies, voluntary health organizations, philanthropic foundations, colleges and universities, private-sector industry and healthcare settings. Health education specialists improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups and community populations.

Grounded in social, behavioral, biological and health sciences, the curriculum develops understanding of the causes and determinants of mortality and morbidity and develops specific competencies required of entry-level health education specialists. Graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist examination governed by The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Satisfactory performance on at least one major assignment or examination for each core course required for the degree, as determined by performance criteria developed specifically for the assignment.
• Satisfactory completion of the 15 credit health education internship (HSC 4876) as indicated on the final performance appraisal.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Identify and apply theories-based strategies for assessing individual and community needs for health education/promotion.
2. Identify and apply a variety of theories, theory based models, methods, and procedures for planning, implementing and evaluating health education/promotion programs.
3. Coordinate the provisions of health education/ promotion services.
4. Identify and apply the major concepts and principles related to current and emerging health issues.
5. Review and discuss the health education/promotion code of ethics and agree to adhere to the principles outlined within the professional code.

Critical Thinking

1. Interpret, evaluate, and disseminate results of health education/promotion research through appropriate methodologies via appropriate channels or outlets while fostering the translation of research into practice.
2. Identify effective strategies to build meaningful partnerships with stakeholders in health education/promotion.

Communication

1. Communicate health needs, information, and resources to clients, consumers, individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds using a variety of channels in various settings.

2. Promote health equity by addressing systemic racism and implicit bias through the recognition of and appreciation for various cultures, values, and traditions.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Assignments
• Projects
• Internship evaluations
• Exit survey
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam
• Florida Department of Health HIV/AIDS 501 Client-Centered Counseling and Testing Certificate

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

• A copy of your transcript for any school you have attended with the grades you have earned
• A list of your high school activities including jobs, clubs, sports, community service, etc.
• Information about your parent(s) or guardian(s), such as educational background, occupation and employer information

Add UF as a university to receive your application and review our specific application requirements.

Fill in your profile information. Your profile is where you'll enter information that will be sent to all schools to which you apply. The University of Florida requires the following sections:

• Information about who you are and how to contact you, your address, citizenship, high school and family information
• Current-year coursework
• Honors and distinctions
• Activities and experiences

Complete the UF Supplement. This includes a few additional short-answer questions so that we can learn more about you when reviewing your application.

Complete the essay questions. The essay helps our admissions staff get to know you better. Use this space to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn elsewhere in your application. And remember, the best essay topic for you is going to be the one that you are most excited to write about.

Once you have submitted your application, a link will appear on your status page to create your Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR). List your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. You must complete the SSAR by December 1 for your application to be complete. If you begin the SSAR separately before submitting your UF application, be sure to link it to your application once your application has been submitted.

Submit your test scores to UF no later than December 15. You may either self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores through your application status page or send official scores from the testing agency. Since accuracy is critical, students who choose to self-report should have a copy of their SAT/ACT score report(s) available to reference when submitting their scores. Because UF superscores both the SAT and ACT, we encourage you to submit scores for all SAT or ACT tests you have taken. If admitted, students who have self-reported their scores in the admissions process will be required to submit official scores from the testing agency to UF by May 1. UF Institutional Codes:

You may request to begin your studies in either the Summer B or Fall term. The term requested DOES NOT affect the consideration of your application. If you are admitted, we will try to offer you the term you requested, but space limitations may mean you receive an offer for a different term.

When you submit your application, pay the $30 nonrefundable fee by credit card unless you qualify for a fee waiver. In both the Common and Coalition applications, you can indicate in the profile section if you qualify for a fee waiver.

You will receive an email 24-48 hours after submitting your application with instructions to create your MyAdmissions application status credentials. Once completed, you can log in to the MyAdmissions app status portal to keep track of your application status and the materials that UF has received. This is also where you will find the link to create your SSAR.