Career Opportunities with a Health Education Degree
Exploring Different Career Opportunities with a Degree in Health Education
The UF Online Bachelor of Science in Health Education degree equips students with training on how to promote healthy lifestyle choices in both individual and group settings, emphasizing diversity and culturally appropriate health education methodologies.
Students in the Health Education Behavior program can tailor their coursework to focus on specific interest areas within health education, such as community outreach, clinical practice, or worksite wellness programs. This degree not only prepares students for a variety of careers opportunities in health education but also positions them for advanced study in graduate programs within the health education field.
Graduates of the program become advocates for health education, playing a crucial role in fostering healthier communities through evidence-based practices and effective communication strategies.
What is a health education degree?
Health education is paramount to the promotion of human health, safety, and well-being. Choosing the health education field means dedicating your career to enhancing countless lives through counseling, community programs, protective services, environmental health studies, and more. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Education empowers you to teach people crucial topics such as managing stress, preventing disease, decreasing obesity , promoting healthy habits , and advocating for access to resources in diverse communities.
Students pursuing a B.S. in Health Education will gain the knowledge and skills to improve health both at an individual and communal level. This dynamic and evolving field explores the most effective methods to research, plan, and implement positive health programs. A health education degree marks the first step toward a variety of careers.
Career opportunities in health education
Numerous career opportunities in health education await graduates of the B.S. in Health Education at the University of Florida. Below are several career paths attainable with a bachelor’s degree in health education, including the typical duties, requisite skills, and estimated annual salaries. Please note salary averages may vary based on professional factors like education, location, experience, and certifications. All the pay data is based on publicly available information provided by Payscale.com and Salary.com.
Health Educator – $51,240
Health educators play a vital role in guiding individuals on matters of health and well-being. They provide helpful resources for individuals to self-manage and maintain their health – including mental health. In addition to conducting classes and workshops, health educators facilitate connections to public health programs and groups that can provide support. They may also engage in community outreach initiatives that focus on health and wellness. Successful candidates for this career should know the healthcare industry and have strong teaching, counseling, and interpersonal skills.
Health Education Specialist – $60,000
A health education specialist evaluates the health needs of individuals and communities, develops community health programs, tests the effectiveness of these programs, advocates for better health policies, and trains and oversees other health professionals. This profession requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in health education, before obtaining further certification. To attain certified health education specialist (CHES) certification, the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) offers credentialed options. Aspiring professionals can sit for the CHES exam post-bachelor’s degree and later advance to become a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) by passing the MCHES exam, which requires five years of work experience as a CHES or an advanced graduate degree.
Protective Services Worker – $60,000
Protective services workers are dedicated to safeguarding adults and children by monitoring their safety and well-being. Their roles typically involve casework, consultation, investigation, evidence collection, and case management for reports of abuse or neglect. Those pursuing this career should understand laws and policies and have excellent communication skills, empathy for affected individuals, and strong problem-solving skills. Some protective services workers specialize in child protective services.
Fitness Trainer – $67,327
A fitness trainer collaborates with individuals or groups to design and implement personalized fitness routines for clients. This includes evaluating an individual’s unique health needs to teach proper exercises and fitness routines to promote a healthier lifestyle. They may also provide guidance in nutrition that matches the client’s health needs. Fitness trainers can choose to instruct classes and guide group workouts to help clients reach their fitness goals. A thorough understanding of exercises, nutrition, and human anatomy is essential for a career as a fitness trainer.
Outreach Coordinator – $44,000
Outreach coordinators typically work for nonprofit, community, medical, or educational organizations, facilitating public relations, volunteer relations, and fundraising efforts. Their responsibilities involve connecting organizations with the surrounding communities. The outreach coordinator can be responsible for various tasks, from data collection and analysis to media events. Successful outreach coordinators have great communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Coordinators must also be adept at collecting and analyzing data, navigating institutional databases, and handling administrative duties.
Family Life Educator – $56,000
Family life educators provide counseling and guidance to families, aiming to enhance overall well-being and communication skills and foster healthy relationships. They support families through life challenges such as early parenthood, financial hardships, medical difficulties, or addiction. Family life educators may work in a community health setting, government agency, or other organization.
Environmental Health Technician – $46,452
Environmental health technicians analyze the impact of the environment on public health. They investigate threats to health and implement solutions. Their duties often include collecting environmental samples, investigating complaints, identifying contaminants, and ensuring regulations and codes are upheld to prevent environmental issues. This role demands excellent analytical and critical thinking skills for effective problem-solving.
Addiction Recovery Specialist – $61,011
Addiction recovery specialists provide support to patients struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction. They connect patients to resources and groups that aid in their recovery process while navigating the health system. An addiction recovery specialist also provides individualized counseling, monitors recovery progress, and develops treatment plans. Those pursuing this career should understand the healthcare system and have excellent communication skills.
Environmental Health & Safety Specialist – $69,344
An environmental health & safety (EHS) specialist helps create and foster a healthy workplace environment, often working with governmental agencies, manufacturing plants, construction sites, hospitals, or engineering firms. They monitor and enforce health and safety standards and educate employees about best practices. They also identify potential hazards or violations and endeavor to mitigate risks. Proficiency in government regulations, communication, and risk management is crucial for success in this role.
Requirements and qualifications for health education careers
Most specialties within health education careers require a degree. In addition to completing all university, college, and general degree requirements, students enrolled in UF Online’s Health Education program take core courses including Personal and Family Health, Community and Environmental Health, Health Education Professional Development, and Internship in Health Education. Specialization courses such as Women’s Health Issues, Trends in International Health, and Minority Health Issues are also available to program students.
The Health Education major at UF Online can also serve as a pathway to admission to professional health programs. Students interested in pursuing programs suitable for physician assistants, nursing, occupational therapy, medicine, physical therapy, or pharmacy should work with their academic advisor to make the appropriate course selections upon admission to the program.
Please note that some allied health graduate and professional programs will not accept courses if labs are delivered via online instruction. Refer to specific prospective graduate programs for detailed prerequisites.
Navigating the job market as a health educator
UF Online’s Bachelor of Science in Health Education, grounded in social and biological sciences, focuses on health information and theory application to prepare students for the job market. This undergraduate coursework opens the door to a variety of fascinating and rewarding careers as a health educator while offering the opportunity to make the world a better place. With effective health education interventions, many universal health issues can be prevented and/or controlled. With UF’s affordable and flexible online health education degree program, graduates can pursue further education or enter the workforce directly after graduation.