The health education program emphasizes a student-centered approach to teaching health, emphasizing skills based learning to promote health literacy for all individual students.

Health education is an important course in the lives of our youth.  Students need to be healthy to learn and must learn to be healthy.  From mental health to human sexuality, from good nutrition to personal safety, health educators help teens make smart, health enhancing decisions to improve their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Upon completion of the health education major, students will be knowledgeable with planning, implementing, administering, and managing all ten areas of the Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child Model.  Health education majors will learn how to evaluate and assess needs for health education, plan and implement quality curriculum and lessons and communicate and advocate for health and health education through all ten content areas.

Students start the program in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (HNES) and complete their degree requirements through the School of Education (SOE).  Application to the SOE will occur during the semester a student is enrolled in EDUC 321.  Completing the degree requirements for a health education degree in the SOE certifies a graduate to teach health education from 7th through 12th grade.

Students must earn the designated grade for all core health education courses and must maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to stay in full-standing in the program.

Courses and Plans of Study
Go HERE to learn more about our courses and Plans of Study.

Career Opportunities
Graduates in school health education will find career opportunities teaching in public or private educational settings, teaching health education in a variety of settings, including community programming, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.

Double Major - It is recommended that health education students obtain a degree enhancement through licensing, certification, a minor or double major.  The health education curriculum has been structured to allow students to obtain a physical education major during the same four year time frame.

Physical Education Major - For futher information about the physical education major, please refer to the Physical Educationportion of this website.

Contact
Dr. Jenny Linker (Program Coordinator) jenny.linker@ndsu.edu or (701) 231-8676