Online Bachelor of Science in Health Education & Health Promotion

With a public health education degree, you can become a public health leader and improve the wellness of individuals and communities. You will gain knowledge in health promotion program planning, implementation and evaluation as well as health education and health advocacy. This degree will also prepare you for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 39

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 120

Degree questions, answered.

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What is public health education?

Public health education is the act of teaching communities and individuals how to make changes that can improve their well-being. Health education programs create changes in communities, schools, businesses and other groups to improve health outcomes. Topics range from improving diet and nutrition to combating substance abuse and preventing HIV.

The field of public health education emphasizes the practical application of strategies that promote well-being. In this career path, you can:

  • Advocate for resources that promote health in diverse communities.
  • Fight obesity.
  • Help people handle stress.
  • Lead diabetes management and prevention education.
  • Promote healthy practices that prevent disease for an aging population.
  • Respond to disease outbreaks through epidemiology.

How can I become a public health educator?

 

Completing a bachelor’s degree in public health education is an important first step to becoming a public health educator. A bachelor’s degree related to health education will prepare you for entry-level jobs in the field at community health agencies, hospitals, schools, government organizations and more. A bachelor’s degree is the required prerequisite to sit for the CHES exam. Earning the CHES designation can open more job opportunities and may be required for some public health education positions.

After five years of working as a Certified Health Education Specialist, you can pursue the Master Certified Health Education Specialist designation. The Master Certified Health Education Specialist is also eligible to become a Certified Diabetes Educator. These certifications can help you qualify for higher-paying jobs and advance your career in public health education. You can also consider continuing your education. A master’s degree in public health can prepare you for senior positions and management roles in the field.

Can I take my health education classes completely online?

 

You can complete this health education degree completely online. You are not required to do an internship or any other in-person courses. As a part of the experiential learning requirement at the end of the degree program, you have several options such as an applied project, teaching assistant position and experiential learning course that meet this requirement and can be done online.

However, there are opportunities to complete the experiential learning requirement in person through an internship, community-based project or study abroad trip. These options would give you the opportunity to make connections and work alongside professional public health educators.

How does this degree differ from ASU Online’s other health-focused programs?

 

The bachelor’s programs in health care coordination, integrative health and community health all focus on improving lives through health interventions. In this health education degree, you’ll learn how to evaluate community needs and investigate key social determinants of health. Key differences between two similar programs include:

What is the CHES exam?

The BS in health education and health promotion program at ASU qualifies students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist® (CHES) exam offered by the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing. CHES is a national and globally recognized credential that can improve employment opportunities for health professionals.

Will my health education degree say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Public health education courses

Public health education classes often consist of application-based, experiential coursework. Required courses will focus on fundamental public health care concepts and techniques for implementing health promotion programs. Elective courses cover a wide variety of wellness topics including stress management, substance abuse, violence prevention, conflict mediation, emotional health and more. At the end of the program, you will take an applied project course in which you will complete a capstone project, do an internship, work as a teaching assistant or be a part of a community-based research study related to public health education.


CHS 300: An Exploration of Well-Being (SOBE OR SB)


CHS 100: Optimizing Your Health and Performance (SOBE OR SB)


CHS 340: Health Theory


HEP 102: Foundations of Health Education and Health Promotion


HEP 348: Methods of Health Education


HEP 452: Health Advocacy in Health Education


HEP 454: Health Promotion Program Planning and Implementation (L)


HEP 466: Health Promotion Program Management and Administration


What can I do with a degree in health education?

Health education and promotion professionals enjoy a wide variety of potential work environments and substantial opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for health education jobs is $60,500 per year. The bureau also predicted jobs in the field would grow 16% throughout the decade. As a health education specialist, you might work in public policy, the insurance industry or for local and national nonprofits.

With a public health education degree, you can take the CHES exam and apply for positions as a health education specialist. If you’ve earned your CHES credential, you might also be interested in pursuing a master’s degree in public health. Potential career opportunities include but are not limited to:

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)


Growth: 7.2 %
Salary: $59,990

Community Health Worker


Growth: 14.1 %
Salary: $46,190

Environmental Protection Specialist


Growth: 6.1 %
Salary: $76,480

Epidemiologist


Growth: 26.7 %
Salary: $78,520

Fitness and Wellness Coordinator


Growth: 4.3 %
Salary: $56,090

Healthcare Professor


Growth: 19.1 %
Salary: $100,300

Medical and Health Services Manager


Growth: 28.4 %
Salary: $104,830

Social Services Director


Growth: 9.1 %
Salary: $74,240

Learn from leaders in the field of health care

Our faculty brings a high-level of expertise to every research project. In addition to cutting-edge approaches to research, we’re focused on creating a better future for people. We’re lifelong learners with a goal to improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of our research focuses on:

  • Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
  • Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • How health behaviors affect and improve health among older adults.
  • How social networks and relationships impact health.
  • Utilizing advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.

Learn from leaders in the field of health care

Our faculty brings a high-level of expertise to every research project. In addition to cutting-edge approaches to research, we’re focused on creating a better future for people. We’re lifelong learners with a goal to improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of our research focuses on:

  • Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
  • Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • How health behaviors affect and improve health among older adults.
  • How social networks and relationships impact health.
  • Utilizing advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.

Admission requirements for the public health education program

I am a future

You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.

Learn how to apply.

Competency requirements

Additional admission requirements

High school equivalency

Homeschool

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

A world-class institution for tomorrow’s health education specialists

At the College of Health Solutions, students and faculty research solutions to pressing global health challenges while preparing the health workforce of the future. Ongoing partnerships with the medical community offer students access to professional resources and networking opportunities with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health and more.

6,500+


students.

250+


Barrett honors scholars.

160+


faculty members.

$14.5 million


in research expenditures.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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