• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

School and college health education is designed to be both comprehensive and coordinated, with the goal of promoting the health of children and young adults. Students in this major accrue professional skills required to design, deliver, and assess effective health education programs in preschools, schools, and colleges.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 graduate credit hours is required for the school and college health education major. A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. A minimum of 20 credits must be in the Department of Applied Health Science. Electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Required Courses (27 cr.)

Complete the following public health core course (3 cr.):

• SPH-X 505 Principles and Foundations of Public Health (3 cr.)

Complete the following research course (3 cr.):

• SPH-X 590 Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (3 cr.)

Complete each of the following school and college health education core courses (6 cr.):

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 Cr.)
• SPH-H 500 Philosophy and Principles of Health Education (3 Cr.)

Complete each of the following school and college health education major courses (12 cr.):

• SPH-H 510 Organization of School Health Programs (3 Cr.)
• SPH-H 552 Instructional Strategies for Health Education (3 Cr.)
• SPH-H 562 (Formerly: HPER-H 594) Health Program Evaluation (3 Cr.)
• SPH-H 662 (Formerly: HPER-H 695) Acquiring and Managing External Funds for Health & Human Services (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following capstone project/experience options (3 cr.):

• SPH-H 599 Master’s Thesis (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 685 (Formerly: HPER-H 643) Practicum in Health (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (3 cr.)

Complete 3 credits of graduate-level elective course work to be determined in consultation with the academic advisor, based on student career goals and interests. If completing a master's thesis, a 3 credit statistics course is required. (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Students develop professional skills through required internships near the end of the program of study that can be completed in one of a number of local school corporations. They can also be involved in research with faculty members and fellow students.

Careers

Sources of potential employment for program graduates are numerous and varied and include public and private schools and colleges; local, state, and federal agencies; international agencies; voluntary health agencies; and professional associations. Prospects for employment are excellent, especially if the individual is willing to relocate.