​As a health educator, you will inform and motivate people about healthy lifestyles and help communities develop healthy environments. You will deliver health service messages and evaluate public health needs and services.  

The purpose of this major is to prepare students for careers in a variety of official, voluntary, community-based organizations, private health agencies, and hospitals. Some career possibilities include, but are not limited to: the education of the public regarding chronic and communicable disease prevention; the promotion of wellness; assessing, planning and implementing programs within communities; and organizing communities regarding health issues.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

  • Prerequisites to be completed prior to declaring this major: Completion of at least 30 credit hours and the following courses with a grade of B- or better, plus an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher. HSC 106QR, PSY 211QR, or STA 282QR, ENG 101, ENG 201.
  • Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each HSC course in the major.
  • Credit/no credit coursework will not count on any course on this major, except for the internship experience, HSC 599.
  • Students must maintain a GPA of 2.50 or higher in the major.
Students will sign an agreement of Technical Standards for the major. If a student does not meet the Admission Requirements or does not continue to meet the Retention and/or Technical Standards, he/she may be dismissed from the major. Appeals will be considered.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (52 hours)

​Introduction to Public Health focusing on current and emerging issues in the community. The course addresses appropriate responses to problems related to current health issues. This course may be offered in an online format. 

Credits 2(2-0) 

Contact Hours (2-0) 

Course Syllabus

Engages the student in exploring, understanding and applying leadership concepts, skills, and behaviors in personal and professional development for leading in the healthcare field. Writing Intensive. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Covers basic structure and function of the human body. Prepares non- science majors and health profession students to take advanced human anatomy and physiology courses. Recommended: Successful completion of a college level science course or a strong background in basic sciences, i.e. high school biology or chemistry. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

The course builds on basic public health concepts and theory and how they are incorporated into intervention, design and evaluation of individual, group and communities. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisite: HSC 110. 

Credits 2(2-0) 

Contact Hours (2-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Introduction to public health, and services provided to citizens and educators by official and voluntary health agencies. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Skills and techniques in writing, developing health education materials, public speaking, and group dynamics as they relate to community programs. Prerequisite: A signed Community Health Major or minor. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​The course examines the principles of community organization practice for health education. Community organization models, concepts, skills, strategies, and theories will be addressed. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​The course presents an overview of public health policy issues, interventions, and the influence of the political, bureaucratic and social environments. This course may be offered in an online delivery format. Prerequisite: HSC 110; Pre/Co-requisites: HSC 221. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Investigates today’s environmental problems related to health, air, water, radiation, housing, urbanization, disease, weapons, and humans’ responsibilities for and remedial actions to these problems. This course may be offered in an online format. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Introduction to basic principles and methods of epidemiology including: determinants of disease distribution, measures of disease frequency and association, study design, and data sources. Prerequisites: Math competency; 56 credits. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Models, theories, methodologies, interventions, and evaluation of community health assessments and programs will be discussed, along with other health education responsibilities and initiatives. Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: HSC 319, 323. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Analysis of organizational patterns, planning procedures, fiscal management, personnel management, and other administrative concerns. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Concentrated study of mental health and illness as related to home, school, and community. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

This course covers diversity issues in order to help students become effective, multiculturally competent health practitioners. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: ATR 383 or HSC 317; or graduate standing. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Emphasize format, content, and writing skills necessary for administration of health programs to prepare grant applications, proposals, reports, and written communications. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 56 credit hours completed or graduate standing. Recommended: Signed major in Health Administration or Public Health Education. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​This class presents applied statistical concepts, principles and methods in the health services industry. Statistical procedures are applied to health, administrative, and medical data. Prerequisites: STA 282 or PSY 211 or graduate standing. 

Credits 3(2-1) 

Contact Hours (2-1) 

Course Syllabus

​Application of health education and health promotion principles in a community health agency. Experience supervised by a qualified health educator. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: Signed Community Health Education or Public Health Education Major; completion of required courses on the major; permission of instructor; or graduate status; permission of instructor. 

Credits 6(Spec) 

Contact Hours (Spec) 

Course Syllabus

Electives (6 hours) Select from the following in consultation with an advisor.

​This course will assist students in increasing their understanding of communication skills applied to the health professions and healthcare settings. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Principles of normal nutrition as related to the health of all age groups. This course may be offered in an online format. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group II-A: Descriptive Sciences) 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

Planning and implementation of marketing strategy and application of the marketing mix to services including hospitality, banking and health services. Identical to MKT 341. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or MKT 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Cross Listed Courses MKT 341 

Course Syllabus 


​Planning and implementation of marketing strategy and application of the marketing mix to services including hospitality, banking and health services. Identical to HSA 341. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or MKT 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Cross Listed Courses HSA 341 

Course Syllabus

​Includes CPR and first aid care. American Red Cross certification for first aid and CPR can be earned. 

Credits 2(1-2) 

Contact Hours (1-2) 

Course Syllabus

​Theory and practice in sexuality education within communities and schools. Emphasis is on legal implications, program requirements and implementation to meet national and state guidelines. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​The study of psychoactive drugs: what they are; how they work; and why people use and/or abuse them; and their impact on society. Not open to students with credit in HSC 528, 529, or 530. This course may be offered in an online format. Recommended: Any natural or social science course. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​This course will enable health education students to develop planning skills for health programs in the school setting. Pre/Co-requisites: HSC 222 or 223 or 224. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​A service-learning experience where the student is engaged in a hands-on service project. Academic coverage includes the philosophy, objectives, and methods of community service. Prerequisite: HSC 317. 

Credits 2(2-0) 

Contact Hours (2-0) 

Course Syllabus

A study of age-related changes of the body, health concerns, healthy lifestyles and health care for older adults. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Study of body’s physiological responses to disease states. Emphasis is placed on the interactions among body systems and deviations from homeostasis. Prerequisite: HSC 211 or HSC 215 or BIO 392. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

This course will address professional issues relating to the history, philosophy, ethics, practice, settings, and competencies of health education. Prerequisites: HSC 317 or concurrent enrollment. 

Credits 2(2-0) 

Contact Hours (2-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Obesity will be studied with special emphasis on prevalence and etiology. Modes of prevention and treatment including diet and exercise will also be discussed. Prerequisites: 56 hours completed or graduate standing.

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

​A concentrated study of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome including the origin, prevalence, spread, disease process, psychosocial aspects and implications for society. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite: HSC 106 or teaching certificate. 

Credits 1(1-0) 

Contact Hours (1-0) 

Course Syllabus

​Concentrated study of sex education and roles of home, school, and community. Not open to students with credit in HSC 222. 

Credits 1(Spec) 

Contact Hours (Spec) 

Course Syllabus

​Concentrated study of physiological, psychological, sociological, and educational aspects of smoking. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235. 

Credits 1(Spec) 

Contact Hours (Spec) 

Course Syllabus

​Concentrated study of physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of alcohol education. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. 

Credits 1(1-0) 

Contact Hours (1-0) 

Course Syllabus

Concentrated study of the effects of drugs and narcotics. Roles of home, school, and community in drug education. Not open to students with credit in HSC 235. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. 

Credits 1(Spec) 

Contact Hours (Spec) 

Course Syllabus

​Systematic evaluation of stress and methods used to effectively reduce stress to promote and maintain health and wellness. Prerequisite: 50 credit hours completed or graduate standing. 

Credits 1(Spec) 

Contact Hours (Spec) 

Course Syllabus

​Examine cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors and management of those risk factors with emphasis on current clinical guidelines and lifestyle interventions (e.g., physical activity/exercise). Prerequisites: 56 credit hours completed or graduate standing. 

Credits 3(3-0) 

Contact Hours (3-0) 

Course Syllabus

Total: 58 Semester Hours