Health Education Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Health Education Specialist

Best Schools to become a Health Education Specialist in U.S. 2024

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA

In-State Tuition:$12,472
Out-of-State Tuition:$33,728
Admission Rate:91%
Graduation Rate:65%
Total Enrollment:28,082

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

In-State Tuition:$4,452
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,729
Admission Rate:92%
Graduation Rate:65%
Total Enrollment:27,151

American College of Education

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$5,160
Out-of-State Tuition:$5,160
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:10,003

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,477
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,694
Admission Rate:23%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:55,211

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Rexburg, ID

In-State Tuition:$4,536
Out-of-State Tuition:$4,536
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:54%
Total Enrollment:43,023

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

In-State Tuition:$9,795
Out-of-State Tuition:$33,960
Admission Rate:90%
Graduation Rate:71%
Total Enrollment:39,049
Health Education Specialist Job Description:
  • Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors.
  • Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies.
  • Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health.
  • May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings.
  • May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Health Education Specialist

Job Duties for Health Education Specialists

  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.

  • Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.

  • Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.

Technologies and Skills Used by Health Education Specialists

Data base user interface and query software

  • Client databases
  • Microsoft Access

Office suite software

  • Google Workspace software
  • Microsoft Office software

Video conferencing software

  • Zoom

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • Looking for ways to help people
  • Understanding people's reactions

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Health Education Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Health Education Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Health Education Specialist