Health Education (B.S.Ed.)

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

General Information

Practical field training is required as part of the public health curriculum and student teaching is a required part of the health education curriculum. Students are advised that they are responsible for their own transportation to and from the training facilities and all costs associated with these activities.

Graduates with a B.S.Ed. in health education are qualified to apply for educator licensure and to teach in public or private schools. Those completing the 6-12 entitlement program leading to licensure are eligible to be licensed to teach grades 6-12. In addition to teaching within the major, graduates of this program may also be qualified to teach other academic areas based on approved minors leading to endorsements. Approved minors extend professional competencies while allowing flexible teaching options for middle and secondary schools.

Students are encouraged to complete an endorsement or a recognized minor in an area such as biology, English, foreign language (French, German, or Spanish), science, mathematics, physical education, psychology, or a social science.

The B.S.Ed. in health education is the initial professional degree for licensed health educators. Primary emphasis is placed on development of the knowledge, concepts, clinical experiences, and professional competencies required of a health education teacher in public and private schools.

Successful completion of the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Test of Academic Proficiency is required for entry into the health education educator licensure program. The test bulletins and applications are available at the Office of Testing Services and in the public health and health education programs office. Students who intend to enter a educator licensure program need to take the ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency at the earliest possible date.

All students seeking admission to the health education educator licensure program are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, a grade of C or better in PHHE 220, and pass the ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency. These requirements must be met prior to admission to PHHE 300. Admission to PHHE 300 constitutes admission to the health education educator licensure program.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and must obtain a grade of C or better in each of the following courses for retention in the health education educator licensure program: FCNS 201 or FCNS 405, and PHHE 300, PHHE 402, PHHE 404, PHHE 406, and PHHE 408, PHHE 410, PHHE 412 or PHHE 472. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their adviser as the educator licensure program in health education is tightly sequenced.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.