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What Can I Do With a Health Education Degree?

A health education degree opens up many opportunities in both the health care and academic industries. The constantly changing health care industry requires that educators be aware not only of how to teach effectively but also how to prepare students to enter a dynamic and changing workplace. The types of careers available to a graduate with a health education degree depend on the level of the degree, such as whether it is a bachelor's, master's or doctorate.

  1. Working with Government

    • The Centers for Disease Control needs health education specialists to work as liaisons between the scientific community and specific populations in the United States. Health educators in this capacity are called on to translate scientific data into easy-to-understand formats and teach the population about health risks, problems, diseases, injuries and more. This position requires not only skills in health care and education but leadership and communication qualities as well.

    Working in a Professional Organization

    • Several state and federal organizations work to promote the interests of health educators across the country. The California Association of Health Career Educators (CAHCE) is one such organization. It works to promote professional growth, networking, advocacy and other elements of the working lives of health educators. Organizations such as these require administrators and advocates to represent the interests of all members. A degree in health education can prepare students to join and work with organizations such as CAHCE.

    Working with Students

    • A health education degree is ideal for re-entering academia as a teacher or a professor. Many online and in-class courses require temporary or permanent teachers who have a related degree. After graduation, students with a health education degree could apply for a teaching position at a university if they have a Ph.D, or apply for teacher's college if they have a bachelor's or master's degree.

    Working with Healthcare Providers

    • Health educators are required at many hospital and clinic settings to ensure that health care workers are up to date in their knowledge of medical advancements and technology. A degree in health education can prepare graduates to teach new techniques to health care workers such as nurses and physicians.

    Working with at-risk Populations

    • Health education specialists can affect the lives of at-risk populations by working out of hospitals or community centers to educate them about proper health care, nutrition, fitness and other topics. The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has a health education center with health educators teaching children about staying healthy after they have been discharged from the hospital. Health educators work with children as well as their families.

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