Health Education

Although nursing and other medical careers rate among America's hottest job opportunities, professionals already in the health care field sometimes face burnout or boredom with routine tasks. Innovative health education degree programs allow current nurses and medical assistants to gain the certifications and skills required to teach prevention instead of just treating illness. Many graduates of health education degree programs work in hospitals and in government agencies to help promote healthy lifestyles.

Health Education Degree Programs

You have your choice of several different heath education degrees:

• Bachelor's
• Master's
• Doctorate (PhD)

Career & Salary Options for Health Education Professionals

Graduates of health education degree programs can qualify for a wide range of jobs that fit a variety of personal and financial needs. Part-time health educators working in schools or in hospitals often earn more than $12 per hour. With additional training and professional background, full time health education professionals can earn annual salaries above $41,000. Private employers, such as large hospitals or foundations, tend to pay more than public agencies or non-profit organizations.

Typical Health Education Course Work

Prospective health education professionals with little formal medical training often require basic health care courses, often overlapping with medical assistant training. Current nurses and medical assistants can use their career experience to complete health education degree programs in less time, making them eligible for more advanced jobs. In general health education degree programs emphasize career training in:

• Professional communication
• Public health management
• Public health policy
• Program implementation

Health Education Online Education Options

Since health education careers frequently require hands-on experience, online degree programs are ideal for prospective professionals in this field. Many colleges and universities offering online education for health education professionals overlap course work with internships and other real-life learning experiences. By integrating classroom-style learning with job experience and personal connections, online degree programs help students qualify for influential, rewarding jobs.
Sources:
American Association for Health Education
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

Joe Taylor Jr. is an internal business consultant for a Fortune 500 company, who writes about finance, culture, and design. He holds a bachelor's of science in communications from Ithaca College.