Health Education B.S. - Concentration: School Health (Teacher Certification)

About the Program

Through teaching, research and service the Department of Health Studies is dedicated to preparing exemplary practitioners who will function as leaders in our global society affecting changes to eliminate health disparities and improve societal health.

The coursework as well as the hands-on experiences built into the curriculum provide a solid foundation for students wishing to either start a career after graduating in any state or going on to complete a graduate degree.

Degree Options

Bachelor of Science in Health Education - A 120 credit degree program with 42 credits that prepares candidates for a health education career as a teacher in elementary or secondary schools.

Are you interested in ...

• Implementing standard-based units of instruction that assist children and youth to engage in positive healthy behaviors
• Engaging in the opportunity to promote and implement a coordinated school health program
• A program that is part of the dual degree and dual certification for Health and Physical Education

Choose Health Education at ESU

• Qualified, experienced faculty
• Clinical experiences/student teaching

Is Health Education a career path for me?

Career Potential and Settings

• The School Health Program is designed to provide training for a health education career as a teacher in the elementary or secondary schools. The program is also advisable for careers as health coordinators for elementary or secondary schools or as health instructors in school related health centers.
• The Health Education Teacher Certification program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as an approved K-12 certification. Also the program has attained National Accreditation approval at the exemplary level from The American Association for Health Education (AAHE) and the Council for the Accreditor of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation as part of the Teacher Education Unit at ESU.

More detailed career information is available from the department.

Program Features

44 credits

For the Health and Physical Education certification requiring a dual major see Physical Education Teacher Education. (p. 309)

The School Health Program is designed to provide training for a health education career as a teacher in the elementary or secondary schools. The program is also advisable for careers as health coordinators for elementary or secondary schools or as health instructors in school related health centers.

Required courses:

Five additional credits from:

Co-requisite courses:

Additional Requirements:

Certification with a 3.0 or better QPA.

Please see the university requirements in this catalog. (p. 44)

Admission Requirements

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established new requirements for all candidates in teacher preparation programs. Please refer to the section The College of Education (p. 57) in this catalog for specific requirements for admission into teacher education programs.

All teacher education students should be in frequent consultation with their academic advisers to make sure they are meeting the appropriate program and certification requirements which will vary depending on a variety of circumstances.

The student must complete the following requirements for admission into the health education teacher certification program:

1. Initial Requirements - Pass 60 credits including: 1) BIOL 111, BIOL 112, HLTH 210, HLTH 220, HLTH 230, HLTH 240. 2) Complete 6 credits MATH and 6 credits ENGL. 3) Pass Praxis Level I: Reading, Writing, and Math. 4) Demonstrate successful clearance of Act 34 Act 114 and Act 151. 5) Obtain membership to a health education professional organization.
2. Interview Process for Admission - Between 45-60 Credits: 1) All Initial Requirements must be complete. 2) Participate in an interview with School Health Teacher Education faculty and present the admission criteria portfolio (including: Praxis I results, Act 34, Act 114 and Act 151, HLTH 240 certification cards, current transcript, Eligibility Checklist, Membership from professional organization).
3. Continued Enrollment - 1) Pass Praxis II: Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge prior to HLTH 431. 2) Eligibility for Student Teaching (2.8 QPA, complete all GE, HLTH and PSED courses, and successful Act 34 and 151 Act 114 TB Test clearances).
4. Certification and Graduation Standards - 1) Pass HLTH 431 (with a grade of “C” or better). 2) Satisfy degree and program requirements including a 3.0 QPA in HLTH and overall. 3) Pass Praxis II: Health Content Knowledge. 4) Complete certification application and immigration form. 5) Complete Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 Clearances for employment.

4 Year Curriculum Program Plan

(Subject to change by university without notice)

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Sophomore Year

Fall

Spring

Junior Year

Fall

Spring

Senior Year

Fall

Spring

Total Credit Hours: 120