Health Specialties Teachers, post-secondary
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Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary are professors who teach courses in the health field such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy and veterinary medicine. It excludes Nursing Instructors and Biological Science Teachers. Health Specialist Teachers prepare students for an occupation that requires a license, certification, or registration. You will need a considerable amount of skill, knowledge and experience to be a health specialist professor. The reward is high as many colleges and universities are experiencing a high demand for Post-secondary Health Specialties Teachers. 

Health Specialties Teachers will be in demand over the next ten years to prepare a more advanced workforce.

The entry-level earnings of a health specialties teacher are nearly double the median for all occupations in the region.

Is being a Post-secondary Health Specialties Teacher right for you?*
These skills, interests, and knowledge areas are recommended for a career as an educator. The percentage indicate the level of important of each of the skills.

 *Source: Texas Career Check

What does it take to be a Health Specialist Educator?
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Step 1: Research Required Duties and Education for Health Education Specialists Health education specialists assess the health needs of communities and coordinate programs and services to meet those needs. In this profession, you would act as an educational resource by addressing questions and concerns while promoting healthy lifestyle choices. You may perform services for corporate wellness programs, government agencies, health care facilities, higher education institutions or secondary schools. Common job titles you might hold include community health organizer, health education teacher or public health educator. Most health education specialists hold a bachelor's or master's degree in health education or a related field. Additionally, health education specialists who teach in schools hold teaching licenses.

Step 2: Choose an Accredited Public Health Program Completing a public health degree program from a school accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) could help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a health education specialist. This could also give you a competitive edge with employers. The CEPH provides a comprehensive list of accredited health education programs (www.ceph.org.).

Step 3: Earn Your Degree Health education specialists seeking entry-level positions are generally required to have at least a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). You may need a master's degree for positions requiring more work experience or managerial functions. You could earn a bachelor's degree in health education, health sciences or school health education. Courses you may study in these programs include nutrition and wellness, health care management, sexual education and educational psychology. Earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Public Health, could prepare you for career advancement. Courses offered in this master's degree program can equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform health assessments and design health education programs.

Step 4: Obtain a Teaching License and Certificate To teach health education in the public or private school system, you'll need to be licensed by your state. Each state may have different requirements for licensure. If you're an experienced teacher, you can obtain the Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Heath Education certificate, offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). A bachelor's degree, three years of teaching experience and a valid teaching license are required for this certificate (www.nbpts.org).

Step 5: Get Certified Becoming certified can help validate your professional competency and commitment to upholding the standards of this profession. The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) offers the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credentials. To take the CHES exam, you'll need an undergraduate or graduate degree in a health education discipline from an accredited school (www.nchec.org). Additionally, completion of 25 semester hours of related coursework is required. To take the MCHES exam, you'll need a master's degree or five years of experience working as a CHES. 

Gulf Coast Region Educator Preparation Programs

The State Board for Educator Certification has approved the educator preparation programs as part of the undergraduate degree programs offered at the area universities listed below. For more information about these university-based programs as well as post-baccalaureate and alternative/accelerated programs, visit Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). 

Universities

• Houston Baptist University
• Prairie View A & M University
• Rice University
• Sam Houston State University
• Texas Southern University
• Texas Woman's University
• University of Houston
• University of St. Thomas

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