| Community Health Education
Jumpstart Your Career
Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education
Are you passionate about improving an individual or a community’s overall quality of life through the promotion of wellness? The Community Health Education program emphasizes improving the health of individuals and communities based on their needs. Students will design, implement and evaluate community health programs, which include promoting health, preventing disease, and advancing health equity. Students will learn the domains of competency within public and community health education such as behavioral health, health policy, research, epidemiology, chronic diseases and infections diseases.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The program is also aligned with the educational requirements for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination, offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. The program is currently under accreditation review through the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
The community health-specific curriculum provides the basic preparation, which qualifies students to take the CHES exam as it includes the seven Health Education Areas of Responsibility embedded within the curriculum. Students also must complete a 10-credit hour of internship/practicum.
Practical Knowledge and Real-World Experiences
Students in the Community Health Education program apply their education in service-learning programs throughout the community. Below are some partners that UIW Community Health Education students have worked with:
- City of San Antonio Viva Health
- Metro Health Aids/STD Clinic
- Arise Adelante
- Plus many more organizations
Students also have the opportunity to travel on various medical mission trips offered through the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability.
UIW at a Glance
7%
Projected growth rate for Community Health Education jobs between now and 2032*
82%
of UIW graduates who are employed within 3-6 months in the Community Health Education field or continuing education in a master's program in Public Health
$24,651
The average amount of need-based scholarships and grants awarded to full-time, first-time freshmen in Fall 2022
Be the Word in the World
UIW challenges students to think critically, explore curiously and to leverage their God-given talents to make positive impacts on their communities and the world around them.
Career Outlook and Opportunities
The growth rate for community health education and community health careers is projected to grow faster than average when compared to other job fields. Growth will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs by teaching people healthy behaviors and explaining how to use available healthcare services.
Students who earn their Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education can explore a wide variety of careers in numerous industries ranging from community health education, healthcare, academia, non-profits and other sectors of the workforce.
Jobs in Community Health Education:
- Community Health Educator
- Education Program Manager
- Case Manager
- Alcohol Educator
- Family Services Specialist
- Diabetes Educator
- Program Resource Coordinator
- Community Organizer
- Health Education Programmer
- Accreditation Coordinator
- Health Officer/Department Planner
- Worksite Safety Coordinator
- Health and Wellness Coordinator
***Health educators who teach health classes in middle and high schools are considered teachers. For more information, see the profiles of middle and high school teachers through the Dreeben School of Education***.
Dr. Thomas M. Evans
President, University of the Incarnate Word