Health Educator Track

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UNDERGRADUATES > PROGRAMS > HEALTH EDUCATOR TRACK

HEALTH EDUCATOR TRACK

  • Career Opportunities

    Health educators use educational processes to promote health and influence human well-being in a variety of school, community, workplace, and medical care settings. They promote good health by educating the public about the causes of disease and the means of prevention on a community-wide level. Health educators may also provide counseling, plan and evaluate programs, and organize community efforts.

    • The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. adopted seven responsibility areas that a health educator should possess:

    • Assess individual and community needs for health education; Plan effective health education programs;

    • Implement health education programs; Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs;

    • Coordinate the provision of health education services;

    • Act as a resource person in health education; and

    • Communicate health and health education needs, concerns and resources.

    Health educators in Alaska are employed by public health departments, schools, Native health corporations, and community, government, or non-profit agencies.

  • Admission Requirements

    In order to be formally admitted into the Health Educator track, students must complete the following courses and receive a "B" or better in each course:

    • HS A220 Core Concepts in Health Sciences (3 credits)

    • HS A230 Introduction to Global Health (3 credits)

    • HS A326 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits)

    All students also must complete 20 hours of community service at a health-related not-for-profit organization of their choice and submit documentation of their hours.

    Lastly, students must meet with a pre-major advisor. For more information, email whitmore@uaa.alaska.edu.

  • Required Courses

    In addition to the University requirements, students must complete 39 credits of track specific required core courses:

    • HS A210 Introduction to Environmental Health (3 credits) 

    • HS A220 Core Concepts in Health Sciences (3 credits)

    • HS A230 Introduction to Global Health (3 credits)

    • HS A326 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits)

    • HS A345 Planning and Implementation of Health Education Programs (3 credits)

    • HSISDC A370 Medical Sociology (3 credits)

    • HS/HUMS A420 Introduction to Program Evaluation (3 credits)

    • HSINS A433 Health Education: Theory and Practice (3 credits)

    • HS A492 Senior Seminar: Contemporary Health Policy (3 credits)

    • HS A495 Health Sciences Practicum (3 credits)

    • PEP A38-4 Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Health and Physical Activity (3 credits)

    • PHIL A302 Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)

    • PSY A372 Community Psychology (3 credits)