How do I Choose the Best Health Education Programs?

There are four items to consider when looking for the best health education programs: accreditation, faculty, job placement, and graduate employment rates. Health education programs provide training in health services, such as physical fitness, nutrition, staying active as we age, and injury prevention. These programs cover a wide range of physical activities and fitness levels.

A health eduction program is available from a wide range of community and career colleges. This program is one to two years in length and often includes a work term. Upon graduation from a health education program, there are employment opportunities in schools, rehabilitation centers, community recreation centers, and long-term care facilities.

When looking for health education programs, the first item to check is the accreditation status of the school. An accredited school has been inspected by an independent third party and the academic and administrative policies reviewed. Courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions and are accepted by certifying and licensing boards. Accredited schools are able to offer students access to government student aid programs.

Review the qualifications of the faculty or course instructors. Take the time to investigate the academic credentials of the instructors before selecting a health eduction program. Most colleges provide the biographies of the course instructors on their website or in the promotional material for the program.

Find a program that includes a job placement or work term. The opportunity to work in the field is a great way to stay focused, find out exactly what the jobs are like and meet people who also have training in health education. Work terms are competed under the supervision of a teacher, educator or program coordinator, who is responsible for writing a formal evaluation at the end of the term. Many students use this opportunities to secure employment after graduation or to obtain a valuable reference.

All post-secondary institutions keep track of their graduate statistics. This information is collected three, six, and 12 months after graduation. The details tracked include starting salary, position title, full time or part time, contract or permanent, and if the position is within the area of training. This information is very valuable and provides a realistic picture of what type of position you can realistically hope to achieve upon graduation.

People who report the highest satisfaction with health education programs are naturally outgoing, enjoy helping people, and are self-motivated. The people who find this type of work rewarding have a personal commitment to physical health and want to share their knowledge and experiences with others. It is important to remember that a career in health education requires a significant amount of repetition of information and advice. Patience, commitment, and determination are all valuable traits for this program.