About this Program
- College: Health and Human Performance
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Education
- Specializations: Community Health Promotion | Health Studies
- Credits for Degree: 120
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
For more than 60 years, the Department of Health Education & Behavior has been at the forefront of the health promotion and public health field, demonstrating leadership in instruction and mentoring, research and scholarship, and service and practice. By emphasizing innovation and data-driven advancements, the department’s efforts ensure that students are well prepared for the health promotion and public health careers of the future.
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Curriculum
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
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 American Heart Association. 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).
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 enables 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).
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 enables 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 advisor in the Academic Advising Center (100 Farrior Hall) as well as the department academic advisor 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 advisor before the start of their junior year. More information about the health education and behavior BS/MS program.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 2 of 7 critical-tracking courses: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, BSC 2010/BSC 2010L, CHM 2045/CHM 2045L, MAC 1147 or higher level course, PSY 2012, STA 2023
- 2.8 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
- 2.8 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
- 2.8 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete all 7 critical-tracking courses, including labs
- 2.8 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
All General Education requirements, including International (N) and Diversity (D), must be completed prior to the final internship semester.
Semester 5
- Complete 2 major courses: HSC 3032, HSC 3537
- Complete 1 of 4 HSC specialization courses | See degree audit for course list options
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete 2 additional major courses: HSC 4233, HSC 4302
- Complete 1 additional HSC specialization course
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete 2 additional major courses: HSC 4713, HSC 4800
- Complete all remaining HSC specialization courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete all remaining major courses: HSC 4876
- 2.0 UF GPA required
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| HSC 3102 | Personal and Family Health (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences; complete before the end of Semester five) | 3 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 | 4 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| Quest 2 | 3 | |
| CHM 2045 & 2045L |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| Select one (complete before the end of Semester Five): | 3 | |
| Principles of Sociology (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | ||
| Social Problems (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | ||
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| APK 2100C | Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) | 4 |
| BSC 2010 & 2010L |
Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) |
4 |
| Elective (Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| APK 2105C | Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) | 4 |
| HUN 2201 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (Gen Ed Biological Sciences; complete before the end of Semester five) | 3 |
| Elective (Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Recommended electives: 2 | 4 | |
| Integrated Principles of Biology 2 | ||
| Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 | ||
| Organic Chemistry 1 3 | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Effective Oral Communication | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
| HSC 3032 | Foundations of Health Education (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC 3537 | Health and Medical Terminology (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC specialization course | 3 | |
| Select one elective: 2 | 3 | |
| Physics 1 and Laboratory for Physics 1 |
||
| Basic Biology of Microorganisms and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms |
||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| HSC 4233 | Patient Health Education (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC 4302 | Methods and Materials in Health Education (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC specialization courses | 6 | |
| Recommended electives: 2 | 6 | |
| Physics 2 | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 2 | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | ||
| Developmental Psychology (or other advanced psychology) | ||
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| HSC 4713 | Planning and Evaluating Health Education Programs (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC 4800 | Health Education Professional Development (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC specialization course | 6 | |
| Elective (genetics or science course) 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| HSC 4876 | Internship in Health Education 4 | 12 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Or higher level MAC course.
- 2
These science courses may not be required for your career goal.
- 3
Students following a pre-health track may want to begin CHM 2210 during the Summer term prior to Semester 5.
- 4
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.
HSC SPECIALIZATION COURSES | SELECT 12 CREDITS
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HSC 3201 | Community and Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSC 4133 | Human Sexuality Education | 3 |
| HSC 4134 | Emotional Health and Counseling | 3 |
| HSC 4143 | Drug Education and Behavior | 3 |
| HSC 4174 | Behavioral and Environmental Determinants of Obesity | 3 |
| HSC 4232C | Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
| HSC 4564 | Health Promotion in Gerontology | 3 |
| HSC 4574 | Nutrition Education for Special Populations | 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 for Consumers | 3 |
| HSC 4694 | Worksite Health Promotion | 3 |
| HSC 4950 | Current Topics in Health Education | 3 |
Students must see an advisor before registering for these three courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
The Bachelor of Science in Health Education prepares students 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.
Before Graduating Students 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.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Identify and apply theories-based strategies for assessing individual and community needs for health education/promotion.
- Identify and apply a variety of theories, theory based models, methods, and procedures for planning, implementing, and evaluating health education/promotion programs.
- Coordinate the provisions of health education/ promotion services.
- Identify and apply the major concepts and principles related to current and emerging health issues.
- Review and discuss the health education/promotion code of ethics and agree to adhere to the principles outlined within the professional code.
Critical Thinking
- Interpret, evaluate, and disseminate results of health education/promotion research through appropriate methodologies via appropriate channels or outlets while fostering the translation of research into practice.
- Identify effective strategies to build meaningful partnerships with stakeholders in health education/promotion.
Communication
- Communicate health needs, information, and resources to clients, consumers, individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds using a variety of channels in various settings.
-
Promote health equity by addressing systemic racism and implicit bias through the recognition of and appreciation for various cultures, values, and traditions.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 | SLO 6 | SLO 7 | SLO 8 | SLO 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSC 3032 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| HSC 4302 | R, A | R, A | R, A | R, A | R | R, A | I | R, A | R, A |
| HSC 4713 | R, A | I, R, A | R | R | R, A | I, R | R | ||
| HSC 4800 | R | R | R | R | R | ||||
| HSC 4876 | R, A | R, A | R, A | R, A | R, A | R | R, A | R, A | R |
| Additional Assessments | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Assessment Types
- Assignments
- Projects
- Internship evaluations
- Exit survey
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam
- Florida Department of Health HIV/AIDS 501 Client-Centered Counseling and Testing Certificate