Public Haelth Education-

Do you enjoy helping people? Would you like to help people avoid illness and injury? Perhaps you should look into a career in public health educaton. Health educators communicate important health information to the public, thereby helping people to avoid injuries and illness.

Why Enter the Field of Public Health Educaton?

Health educators take on a highly responsible role in society. Medical knowledge about how to prevent disease only benefits the public if they are made aware of how this information fits into their lives. As a health educator, it will be your job to reach out to communities and persuade them of the benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle. This job can be tough at times, but it comes with the deep satisfaction of knowing that you are improving people’s lives.

There is a growing demand for health educators as the population ages and therefore falls increasingly into the risk bracket for preventable conditions such as heart disease and cancer. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health educators earned between $26,730 and $81,430 in 2010 with the median salary being $45,830. The number of jobs available in this field is expected to grow by 37% between 2010 and 2020, which is much faster than the average growth across all employment sectors. Positions are available in the private sector working for hospitals and in government, ambulatory care, religious organizations and social assistance.

Do You Need a Master’s Degree to Become a Health Educator?

You might be able to secure an entry-level position with only a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as health education or health sciences. However, the most attractive positions, including those in public health agencies, usually require a master’s degree in health education. A health educator with a master’s degree usually commands a higher salary and enjoys more rapid career progression than someone who lacks this qualification. So if you’d like to have a successful career in the field of public health education, then you should consider getting a master’s degree in health sciences or a related subject. Many positions require candidates to have a master’s degree, and most employers prefer that candidates hold this qualification when they apply for a job as a health educator.

To further your employment prospects, you can become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). You can achieve this qualification by passing an exam. The teaching you receive during a master’s degree in health education will be excellent preparation for taking the CHES test, giving you the best possible chance of success.

How Do You Get a Master’s Degree in Health Education?

A bachelor’s degree, which can be in any one of a wide range of subjects, is usually required for acceptance into a master’s degree program in public health education. In addition, you will need to have a demonstrable passion for communicating important health-related information. The ability to write well in English and communicate clearly in person are also important skills that will help you succeed in your career in public health educaton.

You can get a master’s degree in health education by attending a traditional bricks-and-mortar college or through online study. The advantage of online study is that it allows you to fit in studying for your degree around the other things that demand your attention, such as children without having to send them to a daycare or older relatives who need your help with day-to-day activities.

Pursue a Career in Health Education

With strong job growth predicted in the field of health education, there has never been a better time to get a master’s degree in this subject. Start researching online public health degree programs now to begin working towards a rewarding career as a health educator.

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Sarah Rawson is an avid blogger and independent researcher. She has recently been researching various online Masters of Public Health programs and reporting her findings to various health education blogs.