Health Education and Behavior
The Department of Health Education and Behavior, with a foundation in the social and biological sciences, focuses on health information and theory application. Students learn techniques to promote healthy lifestyle choices in individual and group settings, with special attention given to diversity and culturally appropriate health education methodologies.
About This Major
- College: Health and Human Performance
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Education
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Minor: No
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.hhp.ufl.edu/heb/acad/unde/programs.php
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Health Education degree program allows students maximum flexibility to choose department specialization coursework during the junior and senior years that relates to personal interests in the health field. Students can focus their studies on interest areas in community and public health education, health promotion in the worksite setting or general health studies.
Students with an interest in community and public health education complete coursework focused on illness and disease prevention among special target groups within a particular community, with the ultimate goal of providing practical health information to diverse population groups through the use of theory-driven educational methods. Community health and public health educators generally find employment in local, state or national government health agencies (state or county health departments, CDC, NIH) and in voluntary public health units such as the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and Planned Parenthood.
Students with an interest in health promotion complete coursework that prepares for careers in employee-assistance programs and corporate or hospital-based wellness centers. Many companies utilizing large employee populations have noticed a significant decrease in absenteeism and an increase in work productivity for those employees actively participating in an employee wellness program. In addition, insurance rates tend to be lower for those employees thus providing an incentive for employers to offer such programs. Employee wellness programs can include sessions for smoking cessation, nutritional guidelines, stress relief and injury prevention, and might include running an on-site gym.
Students wishing in-depth knowledge of health concerns may complete an interest in health studies. This interest area allows students to gain knowledge on a variety of health issues plaguing diverse population groups. Students are also able to complete required prerequisite coursework for professional health programs such as nursing, medical school, physician assistant, occupational therapy and physical therapy, as well as graduate programs in health education or related fields (public health, health administration, epidemiology and disease prevention).
Students majoring in health education and behavior are also eligible for the Bachelor/Master of Science combined degree program, thus receiving both degrees within approximately five years. Students interested in this program should schedule an appointment with the department academic adviser.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-8
- 2.8 GPA on critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
- Complete 2 of 7 critical-tracking courses: APK 2100C, APK 2105C, CHM 2045,
MAC 1140 or MAC 1147, MCB 2000/MCB 2000L, PSY 2012, STA 2023
Semester 2
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses
Semester 4
- Complete all 7 critical-tracking courses
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| HSC 3102 Personal and Family Health (GE-S) * | 3 |
| MAC 1140 College Algebra (3) or MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (MR) | 4 |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) | 3 |
| Elective (CHM 1025 recommended) | 3 |
| Writing requirement course (WR, 6000 words) | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication or SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking (GE-S) * | 3 |
| CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology or SYG 2010 Social Problems (GE-S) * | 3 |
| Writing requirement course (GE-C and WR, 6000 words) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| APK 2100C Applied Human Anatomy with Laboratory (GE-B) | 4 |
| CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software (GE-M) * | 3 |
| MCB 2000 and 2000L Microbiology (3) and Microbiology Laboratory (1) (GE-B) | 4 |
| Humanities (international focus) and writing requirement course (GE-H, N and WR, 6000 words) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (GE-B) | 4 |
| HUN 2201 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (GE-B) * | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Humanities (diversity focus) and writing requirement course (GE-H, D and WR, 6000 words) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
* Completion of AEC 3030C or SPC 2608, CGS 2531, SYG 2010 or SYG 2000,
HSC 3102 and HUN 2201 are strongly recommended by the end of Semester 4.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| HSC 3032 Foundations of Health Education | 3 |
| HSC 3537 Health and Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Department HSC specialization courses | 6 |
| Elective, 3000-4000 level | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| HSC 3201 Community and Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSC 4713 Planning and Evaluating Health Education Programs | 3 |
| Department HSC specialization courses | 6 |
| Electives, 3000-4000 level | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HSC 4302 Methods and Materials in Health Education | 3 |
| HSC 4800 Health Education Professional Development | 3 |
| Department HSC specialization courses | 6 |
| Elective, 3000-4000 level | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HSC 4876 Internship in Health Education | 15 |
| Total | 15 |
| HSC 3133 Human Sexuality Education | 3 |
| HSC 3134 Drug Education | 3 |
| HSC 3143 Emotional Health and Counseling | 3 |
| HSC 3232C Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
| HSC 3301 Health Education in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| HSC 3574 Nutrition Education for Special Populations | 3 |
| HSC 4593 HIV/AIDS Education | 3 |
| HSC 4624 Trends in International Health | 3 |
| HSC 4663 Community Health Methods in Injury Prevention and Control | 3 |
| HSC 4694 Worksite Health Promotion | 3 |
| HSC 4950 Current Topics in Health Education | 3 |
Students must see an adviser before registering for these three courses:
| HSC 4813 Practicum in Health Education | 1-3 |
| HSC 4905 Individual Study | 1-4 |
| HSC 5XXX Any non-combined 5000-level course offered within the department | 1-3 |
Refer to the catalog's course descriptions for specific course prerequisites.