Health Education

The health education major is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of school health education through the development of dispositions, knowledge and skills. The program integrates classroom and experiential community-based learning throughout its courses.

The Program

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

Upon completion of the health education major, teacher candidates will be knowledgeable with planning, implementing, administering all ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model. Health education teacher candidates 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 components. Candidates in the health education major are prepared to teach health to students in grades 5-12 and 7-12 with creativity and confidence.

Professional Education Courses

Students may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE).  Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, students must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work and education courses; and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meet minimum scores on the ACT+.  Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.

Student Teaching

Student teaching (clinical practice) is the culmination of the teaching program. During In the clinical practice, teacher candidates apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their college courses to real-world classrooms under the supervision of experienced health teachers in middle or high schools. Faculty members from NDSU conduct regular on-site visits to support, encourage, and evaluate teacher candidates student teachers so that they gain the confidence and ability to join the teaching profession after graduation.

Student Advisement

An academic advisor works individually with health education teacher candidates to plan their programs of study and to advise and assist them as they progress to degree completion. Students are encouraged to seek their advisor's help whenever needed. Appointments with advisors can be scheduled through the Navigate online system found on the Student Affairs web page.

Licensure

Upon completing this program, teacher candidates are eligible for teacher licensure in health in most states.  Our program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). and approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB)

Career Opportunities

Graduates in health education find career opportunities teaching health education in a variety of public and private educational settings, including K-12 schools, community programming, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.

Double Major – It is recommended that health education teacher candidates obtain a degree enhancement through a minor or double major. The health education curriculum has been structured to allow teacher candidates to obtain a physical education major during the same four year time frame. Advisors can provide additional information about other complementary majors or minors.

Physical Education Major – For further information about the physical education major, please refer to the Physical Education fact sheet.

Sample Program Guide - HE Major

Please note this is a sample program guide and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Once admitted, students are encouraged to work with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress.

Sample Program Guide - Health Education & Physical Education Double Major

Please note this is a sample program guide and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Once admitted, students are encouraged to work with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress.