Health Education and Behavior
The Department of Health Education and Behavior, with a foundation in the social and biological sciences, offers coursework focused on health information and theory application. Students learn techniques to promote healthy lifestyle choices in individual and group settings, with special attention given to diversity and culturally appropriate health education methodologies.
Overview
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
Health Studies
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 Planned Parenthood. 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).
Students majoring in health education and behavior are also eligible for the Bachelor/Master of Science combined degree program, thus receiving both degrees within approximately five years. Students interested in this program should schedule an appointment with the department academic adviser before the start of their junior year. More information about the health education and behavior BS/MS program.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-8
- 2.5 GPA on critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
- Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, BSC 2009/2009L or MCB 2000/2000L; MAC 1105 or MAC 1140 or MAC 1147, PSY 2012, STA 2023
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 4
- Complete all 6 critical-tracking courses including labs
Back to Top
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1105 Basic College Algebra or higher level MAC-prefix course (GE-M) |
3 |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Writing course (WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
BSC 2009 Biological Sciences (3) and BSC 2009L Laboratory in Biological Sciences (1) ** or
MCB 2000 Microbiology (3) and MCB 2000L Microbiology Laboratory (1) (all GE-B) |
4 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology or
SYG 2010 Social Problems (both GE-S) * |
3 |
| Composition (GE-C; WR-6) |
3 |
Elective
|
2 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication or
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking * |
3 |
| APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory (GE-B) |
4 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Humanities (international focus) and writing course (GE-H and N; WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (GE-B) |
4 |
| HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (GE-B) * |
3 |
| Electives |
4 |
| Writing course (WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
Back to Top
* Complete AEC 3030C or SPC 2608, SYG 2010 or SYG 2000, and HUN 2201 before the end of Semester 5.
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 3032 Foundations of Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 3102 Personal and Family Health (GE-S) |
3 |
| HSC specialization courses |
6 |
| Elective, 3000/4000 level |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 3201 Community and Environmental Health |
3 |
| HSC 4713 Planning and Evaluating Health Education Programs |
3 |
| HSC specialization courses |
6 |
| Elective, 3000/4000 level |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 4302 Methods and Materials in Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 4800 Health Education Professional Development |
3 |
| HSC specialization courses |
6 |
| Elective, 3000/4000 level |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 4876 Internship in Health Education |
15 |
| Total |
15 |
Back to Top
HSC Specialization Courses – 18 hours
| HSC 3133 Human Sexuality Education |
3 |
| HSC 3134 Emotional Health and Counseling |
3 |
| HSC 3143 Drug Education |
3 |
| HSC 3232C Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Health |
3 |
| HSC 3301 Health Education in Elementary Schools |
3 |
| HSC 3574 Nutrition Education for Special Populations |
3 |
| HSC 4174 Behavioral and Environmental Determinants of Obesity |
3 |
| HSC 4233 Patient Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 4579 Women's Health Issues |
3 |
| HSC 4593 HIV/AIDS Education |
3 |
| HSC 4623 Minority Health Issues |
3 |
| HSC 4624 Trends in International Health |
3 |
| HSC 4663 Community Health Methods in Injury Prevention and Control |
3 |
| HSC 4664 Health Communication of Consumers |
3 |
| HSC 4694 Worksite Health Promotion |
3 |
| HSC 4950 Current Topics in Health Education |
3 |
Students must see an adviser before registering for these three courses:
| HSC 4813 Practicum in Health Education |
1-3 |
| HSC 4905 Individual Study |
1-4 |
| HSC 5XXX Any non-combined 5000-level course offered within the department |
1-3 |
Refer to the course descriptions for specific course prerequisites.
Back to Top
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 allows 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).
Additional science coursework is included within the semester plan to help students meet prerequisites for professional health programs. However, it is imperative that students review the requirements for targeted graduate programs as additional prerequisite coursework outside the curriculum for the major. Students should meet regularly with a pre-health adviser in the Academic Advising Center (100 Farrior Hall) as well as the department academic adviser to ensure adequate preparation for application to professional health programs. Ultimately, students are responsible for ensuring completion of the required prerequisites for their chosen professional health program.
Students majoring in health education and behavior are also eligible for the Bachelor/Master of Science combined degree program, thus receiving both degrees within approximately five years. Students interested in this program should schedule an appointment with the department academic adviser before the start of their junior year. More information about the health education and behavior BS/MS program.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-8
- 2.8 GPA on critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
- Complete 2 of 7 critical-tracking courses: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, BSC 2010/2010L, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1140 or higher level course, PSY 2012, STA 2023
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 4
- Complete all 7 critical-tracking courses including labs
Back to Top
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 and CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (both GE-P) |
4 |
| HSC 3102 Personal and Family Health (GE-S) * |
3 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra (3) or higher level MAC-prefix course (GE-M) |
3-4 |
| Writing course (WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
16-17 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) |
3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology or
SYG 2010 Social Problems (both GE-S) * |
3 |
Composition (GE-C; WR-6)
|
3 |
| Elective (CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L recommended) |
3-4 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication or
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking * |
3 |
| APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory (GE-B) |
4 |
| BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and BSC 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| Humanities (international focus) and writing course (GE-H and N; WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (GE-B) |
4 |
| HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (GE-B) * |
3 |
| Electives (BSC 2011, BSC 2011L and CHM 2210 recommended) |
3-7 |
| Writing course (WR-6) |
3 |
| Total |
13-17 |
| Summer |
Credits |
|---|
| Electives (CHM 2211 and CHM 2211L recommended) ** |
3-5 |
| Total |
3-5 |
Back to Top
* Complete AEC 3030C or SPC 2608, SYG 2010 or SYG 2000, HSC 3102 and HUN 2201 before Semester 5
** These science courses may not be required for your career goal.
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 3032 Foundations of Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 3537 Health and Medical Terminology |
3 |
| HSC specialization course |
3 |
| Electives (PHY 2053 and PHY 2053L and/or MCB 3020 and MCB 3020L recommended) |
5-9 |
| Total |
14-18 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 4233 Patient Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 4713 Planning and Evaluating Health Education Programs |
3 |
| HSC specialization course |
3 |
| Electives (PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, BCH 4024 or DEP 3053 or other advanced psychology recommended) ** |
6-9 |
| Total |
15-18 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| HSC 4302 Methods and Materials in Health Education |
3 |
| HSC 4800 Health Education Professional Development |
3 |
| HSC specialization courses |
6 |
| Elective (genetics and/or science course recommended) ** |
3-6 |
| Total |
15-18 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
HSC 4876 Internship in Health Education
Students must register for fulltime internship (15 credits) or part-time internship (6 credits). If the part-time internship option is selected, the student may concurrently register for up to 9 credits of electives or pre-health requisites. |
15 |
| Total |
15 |
Back to Top
HSC Specialization Courses – 12 hours
| HSC 3133 Human Sexuality Education |
3 |
| HSC 3134 Emotional Health and Counseling |
3 |
| HSC 3143 Drug Education |
3 |
| HSC 3201 Community and Environmental Health |
3 |
| HSC 3232C Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Health |
3 |
| HSC 3301 Health Education in Elementary Schools |
3 |
| HSC 3574 Nutrition Education for Special Populations |
3 |
| HSC 4174 Behavioral and Environmental Determinants of Obesity |
3 |
| HSC 4579 Women's Health Issues |
3 |
| HSC 4593 HIV/AIDS Education |
3 |
| HSC 4623 Minority Health Issues |
3 |
| HSC 4624 Trends in International Health |
3 |
| HSC 4663 Community Health Methods in Injury Prevention and Control |
3 |
| HSC 4664 Health Communication of Consumers |
3 |
| HSC 4694 Worksite Health Promotion |
3 |
| HSC 4950 Current Topics in Health Education |
3 |
Students must see an adviser before registering for these three courses:
| HSC 4813 Practicum in Health Education |
1-3 |
| HSC 4905 Individual Study |
1-4 |
| HSC 5XXX Any non-combined 5000-level course offered within the department |
1-3 |
Refer to the course descriptions for specific course prerequisites.
Back to Top