The health teaching major prepares students to become health educators in secondary schools. Curriculum development, instructional methods, acquisition and evaluation of resources, and assessment are among the skills required. Health educators teach decision making and effective communication, addressing such areas of concern as substance abuse and addictive behaviors, human sexuality, chronic disease, nutrition, consumer advocacy, emergency care, and injury prevention.
Adolescence is a time where habits are being established and attitudes are being formed that will influence people the rest of their lives. The health educator plays an important role in teaching knowledge and skills that will enable young people to cope and to flourish in healthy ways in an ever-changing society.
Graduates seek careers teaching health in the secondary schools in combination with a chosen minor. With an advanced degree, career teaching positions at institutions of higher learning become available.