Health Studies > What is HS

What is Health Studies?

What is Health Studies?
Health Studies is a term actually synonymous with our department name.   However, our degree actually prepares students to become health educators and enter a variety of health settings.  Specifically, the B.S. degree in Health Studies prepares students to direct, create, or evaluate health education programs that promote wellness and prevent disease.  The curriculum centers around the Areas of Responsibility outlined by the National Commission for Health Education (NCHEC) and enables graduates of our program to sit for the C.H.E.S.national certification exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialist.  More and more employers within the field of health promotion/health education are requiring this certification.
What is Health Education" and the "Areas of Responsibilities."
The link is:  http://www.xap.com/career/careerdetail/career21-1091.00.html


Where Can I Get a Job?
The field of health is evolving at lightening speed to accommodate the shifts in our medical system.  The opportunities for health educators are abounding, as the need for preventative health services is increasing.  Some possible settings for a health educator include:

• Community clinics and hospitals
• County, state and federal health organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Texas Department of Health
• Non-profit organizations such as American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, or National Kidney Foundation
• University or School settings
• Corporations

There are numerous career options and job titles affiliated with the field of Health Studies.  Some examples include:

• Certified Health Educator
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Wellness Coordinator
• Public Health Specialist
• HIV Counselor/Outreach worker
• Field Investigator/Epidemiologist
• Health teacher
• District Health Education Coordinator
• Campus Wellness Director
• Health Services Coordinator
• Research Assistant
• Program Coordinator
• Employee Wellness Specialist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Injury Prevention Specialist
• Program Evaluator
• Grant Writer
• Patient Educator

There are a myriad of other job titles!   Most of our graduates work in a variety of settings all around the world.  


What is the Usual Salary Range?
Because health educators work in a variety of settings, the income potential is highly variable.


Ten Areas of Responsibilities for Professional Health Educators

• Assessing individual and community needs
• Planning effective health education programs
• Implementing health education programs
• Evaluating effectiveness of health education programs
• Coordinating provision for health education services
• Acting as a resource person in health education.
• Communicating health and health education needs, concerns and resources
• Applying appropriate research principles and techniques in health education
• Administering health education programs
•  Advancing the profession of Health Education

CHES
A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) is a person who has passed the C.H.E.S. national certification exam . Graduates of our program are eligible to take the exam, which focuses upon the Ten Areas of Responsibility for Professional Health Educators. These Areas of Responsibility form the foundation for the undergraduate and graduate programs in Health Studies and align with the national standards set forth by the SOPHE/AAHE Baccalaureate Program Approval Committee (SABPAC).  Detailed information about the CHES exam is provided for students when they take our capstone course, HS 4353 Seminar.  More information can be found also at www.NCHEC.org or 888-624-3248. 

Job Search and Career Development Websites*
National Center for Health Fitness American University
Higheredjobs Online
Human Kinetics
Monsterboard
Medical Jobs at NationJobs.com
Net-Temps, "A World of Jobs"
Chronicle of Higher Education Classifieds
Occupational Outlook Handbook
*Disclaimer
The postings and website links above are for your information only.  Neither TWU nor the Department of Health Studies claim responsibility for the accuracy of these postings or web links. Please do not contact TWU or anyone in the Department of Health Studies regarding any of these postings.


Health Sites
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Department of Health and Human Services
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Health Ed Directory Home Page
Medical Matrix
Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report
National Center for Health Statistics
National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)