If you have a passion for health, and want to share your interest with others, you may be interested in a career as a health educator. There is a growing need for professionals in this role, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of health educators to increase 16 percent in the next several years. This is faster than the average for all occupations. And, speaking of averages, health educators in Connecticut typically earn over $66,000 per year. This is much higher than the average annual salary for health educators nationwide.
Health education is a great career for anyone looking to combine their love for healthcare and teaching into one, rewarding position – especially in Connecticut, where health educators especially thrive. The question is, where do you begin?
If you are wondering about this flourishing career path and how to become a health educator in Connecticut, you are in the right place. As a leading public health school in CT, Goodwin College outlines the basic requirements of a health educator below.
As you likely already know, health education falls within the public health – a broad, occupational field that promotes and protects the health of others and their environments. Health educators can have a real impact on society, working with individuals, organizations, communities, and entire populations. For someone considering becoming a health educator, there are many specializations within this field you may cover, such as:
- Community Health
- Consumer Health
- Environmental Health
- Family Life
- Mental/Emotional Health
- Injury Prevention and Safety
- Nutrition
- Personal Health
- Prevention and Control of Disease
- Substance Use or Abuse
The National Health Education Standards – a set of written expectations for aspiring health educators – emphasize the importance of skill and knowledge in these specific fields. The standards also highlight important elements that health educators should possess, such as strong communication skills, understanding of the above studies, advocacy for others, goal-setting, decision-making, and accessing pertinent health information. To become a health educator, you should also have strong analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and instructional skills. These can be attained in the right public health degree program.
According to the BLS, health educators need at least a bachelor’s degree before landing a job and actively teaching others about health and wellness. Some employers may also require health educators to obtain the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential, for which you also need a bachelor’s degree. This is where Goodwin College’s undergraduate public health program becomes the perfect fit.
The Public Health program at Goodwin College is a strong and flexible one. Like many of our career-focused programs, this major is perfect for students looking to gain a foothold in the field, to establish professional connections and skillsets, but who are also juggling jobs and other obligations. Our public health classes are offered on days, evenings, and weekends, for added flexibility. Students may choose to learn on-campus, online, or a mix of both to accommodate a varying schedule. This convenient, customizable structure helps students get into the public health field quickly, without putting their lives on hold.
Unlike some other public health colleges in the Nutmeg State, the admissions process at Goodwin College is a simple, 3-step process:
- Meet with our admissions team. One of our admissions officers will give you a campus tour, discuss the program of interest, and review the enrollment process with you.
- Pending SAT/ACT test scores – which are optional – Take a placement test and meet with an academic advisor for an applicant advisor appointment.
- Meet with a financial aid officer. Someone on our team will create a personalized financial aid package that fits your individual needs.
- Click here to apply to the undergraduate program at Goodwin College.
Students enrolled in Goodwin’s bachelor’s public health program must complete a minimum of 40 credits in the general education core, 6 credits in programmatic general education courses, 42 credits in the public health major requirements, and 33 credits in health science electives. Click here for the Public Health curriculum at Goodwin College.
Aside from the classes and training, students wondering how to break into public health careers in Connecticut can – and should – utilize Goodwin’s Career Services team and extensive network of employers. This incredible team provides students and graduates with a lifetime of career placement and counseling support — for free! These teams make understanding how to become a health educator simpler than ever.
Learn more about the Public Health Program at Goodwin College by calling 800-889-3282.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.