Proposal for a Revised Program

Health Education Minor

Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Eastern Michigan University

October, 2003

I. Rationale

The profession of health education has been described as eclectic, because as an applied science we draw our body of knowledge from a variety of disciplines. We are also unique. While this body of knowledge is drawn from biological, behavioral, sociological and health sciences, it is interpreted in terms of human needs, human values and human potential. Health educators plan, implement, and evaluate the effects of educational programs and strategies designed to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities.

The proposed revision to the Health Education Minor is driven by changes in state standards and based on the competencies contained in the report Standards for the Preparation of Michigan Health Education Teachers. This document outlines the knowledge and skills all students should be expected to demonstrate upon receiving a certificate in health education. The standards and competencies are reflected in the proposed courses and will ensure that our graduates are prepared to promote the health of the public. Although there are numerous competencies and sub-competencies, the major responsibilities are as follows;

· Comprehend and apply health concepts and skills, theories and models of behavior change and principles of health promotion

· Assess individual and group needs for school-based health education

· Plan effective school-based health education programs based on a continuous learning cycle

· Implement health education programs based on a continuous learning cycle

· Evaluate the effectiveness of school-based health education

· Collaborate with others to implement a coordinated school health program

· Act as a resource person to others regarding healthy development

· Advocate and communicate for child health and health education needs, concerns, and resources

· Practice reflectively, seeking opportunities to grow professionally

The proposed revision to the Health Education minor, grounded in developing the skills represented in these roles and competencies, will arm future health educators to be at the forefront in dealing with changes in the U.S. demographics, public health infrastructure, and other areas to improve individual and community health. While health and health care in the country will continue to experience dramatic changes, our program will embrace the basic concept that education and behavior change are critical to our nation’s ability to achieve an optimal level of health.

We believe that it is important to prepare our health minors to utilize basic educational theories and principles, behavioral science concepts, and knowledge about the biological basis of disease and health, drawing upon a variety of effective teaching methods and techniques. To that end, the proposed revision to the Health Education minor acknowledges the following goals in preparing the health education professional as a partner in promoting healthy people in a healthy world;

· Assuring its services are state-of-the-art and based on theory, research, best practice standards, and ethical standards.

· Assuring its research is grounded in theory and based in practice.

· Playing a role in the development, diffusion, implementation, and evaluation of policies that influence health.

· Incorporating current technology that is contemporary and dynamic.

· Utilizing appropriate pedagogy.

· Considering social, cultural, economic, and political influences in promoting health.

II. Description of Current Program

The current Health Education minor consists of 24 credit hours. The following is a list of all required courses:

HLED 210 – Standard American Red Cross First Aid (2 credits)

HLED 320 – Health Ed. in the Elementary Grades (2 credits)

HLED 340 – Health Ed. & Nutrition: Enhancing Nutrition and Fitness (3 credits)

HLED 360 – Concepts of School Sexuality Education (3 credits)

HLED 370 –Principles of Health Education (3 credits)

HLED 380 – Psychosocial Health & Service Learning (3 credits)

HLED 390 – Drug Use and Abuse

HLED 250 – Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (3 credits)

- or –

HLED 350 – Scientific Foundations of Health Education (3 credits)

In addition, Health Education minors are required to take 2 credits of electives. A variety of 3 credit, 2 credit, and 1 credit elective courses are offered each semester. The current Health Education minor is content driven. Although content is an important component of the student’s educational experience, the current direction of health education in the state of Michigan is skill-based. Therefore, in order to comply with new state standards, revisions were made to the existing Health Education minor that reflect a greater emphasis on the acquisition of skills needed to be an effective health educator in the schools and in other community settings.

(The current health minor has been “provisionally accepted” until Fall 2004.)

III. Proposed Revision

The revised Health Education minor would also consist of 24 credit hours. The following is a list of all required courses:

HLED 270 – Principles of Health Education (3 credits)

HLED 305 – Current Health Issues I (3 credits)

HLED 315 – Current Health Issues II (3 credits)

HLED 325 – Instructional Skills and Strategies for Health Education (3 credits)

HLED 355 – Health Education Program Planning (3 credits)

HLED 450 – Health Education Assessment (3 credits)

HLED 490 – Drug Use and Abuse (3 credits)

HLED 460 – Concepts of Sexuality Education (3 credits)

Current Health Issues I and Current Health Issues II will include the following health education content areas: nutrition, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, dental health, physical activity, intentional and unintentional injury, emotional health, consumer health education, and environmental health education. The table below identifies those courses that are new, and those that have been revised in order to comply with the new state standards.

Course Name	New	Revised	Current Course Being Revised
HLED 270 – Principles of Health Ed.		X	HLED 370 – Principles of Health Ed.
HLED 305 – Current Health Issues I	X		NA
HLED 315 – Current Health Issues II	X		NA
HLED 325 – Instructional Skills & Strategies for Health Education	X		NA
HLED 355 – Health Education Program Planning	X		NA
HLED 450 – Health Education Assessment	X		NA
HLED 490 – Drug Use and Abuse		X	HLED 490 – Drug Use and Abuse
HLED 460 – Concepts of Sexuality Education		X	HLED 460 – Concepts of Sexuality Education

IV. Impact

The revised health education minor, just as the current health education minor, is a self-contained program. Although other disciplines may include components of health and educational strategies in their courses, we strongly believe that our courses are unique given the emphasis of health education theories and models.

V. Budget

The revised health minor requires the same number of credit hours as the current health minor. Therefore, we do not foresee any impact to the current operating budget of the program.