School Health Education - B.S.E. Download to print

This major prepares individuals to teach health education in the schools. Students completing the program in a satisfactory manner are awarded multi-age licensure.  Students complete a variety of field experiences and a culminating student teaching experience. Kent State's School Health Education Program is known for producing teachers of the highest quality.

A combined health and physical education concentration in the school health education major is available to students who are seeking Ohio teacher licensure in both areas. The program is designed to be completed in five years and can allow students to satisfy up to 12 hours of program requirements with graduate courses.

School health educators work with groups of students with a range of abilities in preschool, elementary and secondary schools. In addition, they are professionally prepared to work in many community health agencies.

For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional Phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State overall GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.750 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll into EHHS General until which time they have established a Kent State GPA of 2.750.

Students are accepted into a teacher licensure program by transfer if they have achieved a minimum 2.750 GPA in previous college coursework. They must meet with an academic advisor in 304 White Hall as soon as possible to review specific requirements for admission to advanced study.

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 credit hours in School Health Education. Minimum 157 credit hours if registered in the Health and Physical Education concentration. Minimum 2.750 overall and major GPA. Student in the Health Physical Education concentration must provide evidence of certification in First Aid, CPR and minimum equivalence to level 5 competency in Red Cross Swimming

Licensure Requirement (not required for graduation):
Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type. Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.

Students must apply for State of Ohio Licensure (defined by completion of all licensure program requirements) within 12 months of program completion. After 12 months, applicants must meet State approved program/licensure requirements that are in effect at the time of application. This means that students who apply after the 12 month deadline may have to take additional coursework if the content, methods courses, program requirements, or licensure requirements have changed from the catalog in force.

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Analyze factors affecting the successful implementation of health education and Coordinated School Health (CSH); select media and resources best suited to implement plans for diverse learners; exhibit competence in carrying out planned programs; and monitor educational programs, adjusting objectives and instructional strategies as necessary.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of CSHPs; develop plans to assess student achievement of program objectives; carry out evaluation plans; interpret results of program evaluation; and infer implications of evaluation findings for future programs.
3. Coordinate provision of health education programs and services and develop a plan for comprehensive school health education with other components of a school health program; demonstrate the dispositions and skills to facilitate cooperation among health educators, other teachers, and appropriate school staff; formulate practical modes of collaboration among health educators in all settings and other school and community health professionals; and organize professional development programs for teachers, other school personnel, community members, and other interested individuals.
4. Utilize computerized health information retrieval systems effectively; establish effective consultative relationships with those requesting assistance in solving health-related problems; interpret and respond to requests for health information; and select effective educational resource materials for dissemination.
5. Communicate health information needs, concerns, and resources; interpret concepts, purposes, and theories of HED; predict the impact of social value systems on HED programs; select a variety of communication methods and techniques in providing health information; and foster communication between health care providers and consumers.
6. Obtain health-related data about social and cultural environments, growth and development factors, needs and interests of students; distinguish between the behaviors that foster and those that hinder well-being; and determine health education needs based on observed and obtained data.
7. Recruit school and community representatives to support and assist in program planning; develop a logical scope and sequence plan for a health education program; formulate appropriate and measurable learner objectives; and design educational strategies consistent with specified learner objectives.
8. Communicate and advocate for health and school health education by:  analyzing and responding to factors that impact current and future needs in comprehensive school health education, applying a variety of communication methods and techniques, advocating for school health education, and demonstrating professionalism.

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education