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Health Education and Promotion

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH

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Improving health and preventing disease is a critical concern for every community and has never been more timely. The Health Education and Promotion major at BenU is for those who desire to become health education specialists who are trained to help others become healthier.

According to the professional association for health education specialists (the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing or NCHEC), health education specialists “work with individuals, families, and communities, as well as public and private organizations to create, implement, oversee, and analyze programs and strategies that promote health and well-being” (https://www.nchec.org/). A unique focus on nutrition at BenU means that students gain a valuable dietary point of view that is fundamental to developing preventative programs for disease risk reduction. Through education and engagement, the major fosters the ability to develop sustainable health solutions and health equity to advocate for and strengthen the health of diverse communities as well as acting as reputable health resources.

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Apply for Admission Request Information
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Students in the Health Education and Promotion program have the opportunities to:

Assess, plan, design, implement, administer, and evaluate health education and promotion programs.
Take the credentialing examination offered through NCHEC in order to become credentialed as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Gain on-the-job experience, confidence, and a professional network through a field experience. Close guidance from faculty ensures our students are prepared to enter their professional lives.
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View Course Information

BA Requirements - Lisle BA Requirements - Mesa
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What Our Graduates Have Done With This Degree

Health Education and Promotion Alumni

Graduates in health education as a profession are concerned with educating the public to shift from unhealthy to healthy behaviors to improve their health and quality of life. Health education specialists work in a variety of settings, including schools, community and public health agencies, health care and medical institutions, the military, and in corporate worksites. Students are encouraged to visit the NCHEC website to view job descriptions and learn more about professional certification.

Sample Courses

• HLED 2280: Community Health and Nutrition
• HLED 3271 : Health Education Planning
• HLED 4369: Health Coaching
• HLED 4366: Health Education Field Experience

Health Education and Promotion
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The Benedictine Benefit

Benedictine University is the only private university in Illinois offering a major in Health Education and Promotion. You will reap the benefits of smaller class sizes by seizing opportunities for greater engagement with faculty in the classroom, more active learning and networking with peers and future colleagues.

Strong Job Outlook

Projected employment for health educators and community health workers is expected to increase at the rate of 13 percent (much faster than average) by 2029. This projected growth is attributed to efforts to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs through health and nutrition education. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI region is the 7th highest region for employment of health educators in the country

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APPLY NOW!

Bonnie Beezhold, PhD, MHS, MCHES®
Associate Dean, College of Science and Health
Associate Professor | Dept of Nutrition and Public Health
o: 630-829-1145   c: 480-620-6773
[email protected]

Benedictine University
Department of Nutrition
5700 College Road
Kindlon Hall, Room 224
Lisle, IL 60532