Coordinator: Dr. Mary Jo Belenski
Office: University Hall, Room 4157
Phone Number: (973) 655-7122
Email: belenskim@mail.montclair.edu
Overview:
When many people think about careers in health, they think about medical careers (such as doctor or nurse) that involve treating individuals who have diseases or injuries. Health education is a different kind of health career. Health educators try to affect the health of whole populations, not just individuals. They focus on prevention rather than treatment. Health education is the practice of developing, implementing, and evaluating programs designed to improve the health of a population.
The Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences offers a BS in Health Education with a concentration in Public Health. The program offers an integrated approach to health education and public health that addresses local, national, and global health and environmental issues. It provides future leaders with the skills and knowledge they will need to devise and implement strategies and policies to prevent leading and emerging health threats, and to reduce health disparities.
Public health educators work in a variety of settings (government agencies, community clinics, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, corporations) and focus on a variety of age groups, populations, and problems.
Many experts agree that major advances in the improvement of health over the next decades will not come from new medical findings or cures, but rather through prevention. Health educators will be in high demand, and will find professional opportunities as Community Health Educators, Health Program Managers, Health Communication Writers, and Health Promotion Specialists. Health educators may work in hospitals, colleges and universities, clinics, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private corporations, and health departments.
Course Requirements:
The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2008. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.
