Academic Learning Compact:
Health Education and Behavior

The Bachelor of Science in health education prepares you 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.

Additional information on the on campus major is available here.

Additional information on the UF Online major is available here.

Before Graduating You 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.

Skills You Will Acquire in the Major (SLOs)

1. Identify and apply theories-based strategies for assessing individual and community needs for health education.
2. Identify and utilize appropriate theory-based models for planning effective health education programs.
3. Identify and apply a variety of theories, models and strategies for implementing health education programs.
4. Identify and apply methods and procedures appropriate for evaluating the effectiveness of health education programs.
5. Coordinate the provisions of health education services.
6. Describe and employ methods to obtain and disseminate health education information.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the major concepts and principles related to nutrition, substance abuse, emotional health, human sexuality and environmental health.
8. Examine situations, conditions and events to solve problems independently and to evaluate health education outcomes.
9. Select health education programs and services based on best-evidence.
10. Communicate health needs, concerns and resources to identified clients and consumers.
11. Communicate health concepts and health information using a variety of channels to individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds in various settings.

Table Key: I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types:
Assignments, projects, internship evaluations and exit survey; Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam; and Florida Department of Health HIV/AIDS 501 Client-Centered Counseling and Testing Certificate.