Careers in Health Promotion
Health education and health promotion professionals are called upon to assess health problems, identify health needs and risk factors, plan and implement health promotion programs, and carry out evaluation procedures to determine the effectiveness of these efforts. They are employed in a variety of work settings such as schools, community health agencies, medical care organizations, and business and industry, as well as private practice.
Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities
School-based health educators function at all levels, from pre-school to the college or university. They help students develop knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for making positive decisions regarding personal, family, and community health . In addition, they assist schools in promoting a healthful environment, providing opportunities for practicing healthy behaviors, and reinforcing positive health behaviors. For school health education in the elementary through secondary school setting, requirements include a major in health education, a teaching certificate, and student teaching experience. To be a health educator in a college or university setting, an advanced degree such as a M.S. or Ph.D. is usually required.
Community Health Agencies and Organizations
Community- based Health Education Specialists work for local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as voluntary and private health organizations. The health promotion professional in this setting works with mass media, plans and conducts workshops and clinics, develops education programs for specific groups and acts as a health resource to individuals and organizations. Educational requirements for community health educators include an undergraduate or graduate degree in community health education including internship.
Medical Care Organizations
Medical care or clinical health educators (B.S. in Community Health Education) work for hospital, clinics, Health Maintenance Organizations, private physicians or other health care providers. Activities include working with patients and their families to help them understand the patient’s health problem, the importance of following the physician’s prescriptive advice, and techniques for preventing further complications or recurrence of the health problem. The role of the health educator in a medical care setting has great potential for growth due to the increasing cost of caring for people once they develop a disease or disorder. Professional preparation for this position includes a major in community health education and an internship in a clinical setting. Some practitioners also may have experience or degrees in health services administration. Many health educators in this setting have a M.S. or M.P.H. degree and are often nurses who have acquired additional health education training.
Business & Industry
Health educators (B.S. in Community Health Education) in this setting assist executives and employees in maintaining and improving their health. In addition to advising companies on health policies, health educators coordinate or provide health promotion in such areas as nutrition, fitness, weight control, smoking cessation, stress reduction and drug abuse prevention. Professional preparation for health educators in the workplace includes an undergraduate or graduate degree in community health with special emphasis on business and industry programs.
Hands-on Experience
Students have ample opportunity to gain valuable work experience through service learning and student internships. Under the direction of experienced faculty and professionals in the field, students work with county health departments, medical care facilities, voluntary health organizations, secondary schools, and a variety of other agencies and organizations concerned about the health and welfare of people in our community. These opportunities provide students with hands-on experience prior to actual employment, and offer an excellent opportunity for job leads and placement.
To find out more about these exciting programs, contact Richard Bynum, Ed.D., (218) 236-2307 or e-mail: bynum@mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu
For a current copy of The Bulletin, Undergraduate Catalog, contact Admissions, Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN 56562, 800-593-7246 or locally 218-236-2161.