Degree/Certificate
Associate in Science
HEGIS Code
5299
SUNY Code
1731
Major Code
HED
The Career
Preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles
The job market for health educators is strong. Health educators work to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness through educating individuals, communities, schools and worksites. Seventy percent of disease and premature death is attributed to lifestyle diseases that are preventable, treatable and controllable.
“The choices we make today can determine the choices we make tomorrow.” Breaking the Silence-AIDS WNED
The goal of health education is to promote, maintain and improve individual and community health. Duties of health educators include assessing the needs of a specific population, planning the programs, implementing programs and evaluating the outcomes of those programs. The jobs vary greatly depending on the type of organization in which they work. Most health educators work in medical settings, colleges and universities, schools, public health departments, nonprofit organizations, corporations, health insurance companies and private business.
The NCCC Approach
Core topics of substance abuse, nutrition, community health, sexuality and foundations of health education make up the core of the curriculum. Additional emphasis in anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, history and speech complete the liberal arts experience. Professional development activities and career exploration is emphasized early and throughout the Health Studies degree.
In addition to earning an Associate in Science degree in Health Studies, students are positioned to transfer to teacher education (K-12) at Brockport and Ithaca College. Those individuals wishing to transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in public or community health can do so at Daemen College, Buffalo State College and Brockport.
For individuals who are currently certified in Physical Education and wish to have dual certification in health the program offers 18 credits in Health Studies and an additional 21 credits in liberal arts (by advisement). In addition, many courses are available through online learning.
Admissions
Students admitted in September and January. Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than four semesters of full-time study (15-17 credits per semester) if a student begins this program in a spring semester.
Articulation Agreements
Canisius College
Ithaca College
SUNY College at Brockport
Dual Admissions
Daemen College B.S. in Health Care Studies. Professional Training Certification in three areas:
- Community Health
- Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices
- Health & Fitness Training
Facilities
The Health Studies program is housed in the Division of Health and Physical Education. A 2,500 square foot fitness center, Olympic-size pool, two gymnasiums, dance studios, racquetball, squash, tennis, Outdoor Adventure Education and extensive Intramural Recreation program provides activity for everyone.
Program Goals and Objectives
- To provide individualized advisement that will assist each student with developing specific educational and career goals that will facilitate transfer to the upper-level institution of choice.
- To develop students’ knowledge about the sociological, philosophical, historical, and psychological aspects of American health education.
- To assist students in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to develop their own philosophies of health education taking into consideration the influences of the New York State and National Health Education Standards.
- To provide students the necessary knowledge to understand the operation of computer systems and related pedagogical health issues in education.
- To assist students with the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to make intelligent decisions that will lead them to certification in health education.
- To develop students’ understanding of those characteristics which define responsible and successful health educators.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Associate of Science Degree in Health Studies, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of computers and their basic functioning.
- Have customized his/her professional education course work to facilitate transfer-articulation to the upper-level school of choice.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge required to implement a health improvement program following a 4-part plan of Assess, Plan, Implement and Evaluate.
- Successfully complete 7 out of 10 General Education objectives.
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