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Are you passionate about promoting wellness and positively impacting public health? SCU’s Health Education Certificate program will equip you with the knowledge you need to drive meaningful change.
Delivered 100% online, this nine-course program for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree, explores the psycho-social aspects of health-related behavior and motivation, epidemiology, assessment of community health, the latest advances in health education and promotion, and more.
In as little as nine months, you’ll be ready to sit for the CHES® exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist—a profession that is expected to grow by 7% (faster than the average) between 2023 and 2033.
All nine of your courses will take place online and be delivered asynchronously, meaning that you may watch lectures and complete assignments whenever it works best for you during a given week. To keep you interested and fully engaged, each course will be taught and facilitated by seasoned faculty members and will include peer-to-peer discussion board posts and replies, self-directed exercises, written assignments, case studies, and assessments.
You’ll have the option to progress through the program at a pace that works best for you—moving quickly and completing your coursework in as little as 9 months or progressing more slowly and taking as long as 2 years to complete the program.
Our curriculum is specifically designed to build your knowledge in skills across the following “Eight Areas of Responsibility” for Health Educators, as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). These eight areas serve as the foundation for the NCHEC’s Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam.
After completing the Health Education Certificate program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the CHES® exam to become certified as a Health Education Specialist and to then work in a wide range of settings such as:
As healthcare providers, workplaces, and communities increasingly prioritize prevention and wellness, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for Health Education Specialists will increase by 7% (faster than the average) between 2023 and 2033. It’s a great time to pursue your passion for improving health and wellbeing!
SCU’s Post-Baccalaureate Health Education Certificate is designed to qualify students to successfully sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination. The CHES® is a competency-based tool used to measure possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists. The exam reflects the entry-level sub-competencies of these areas of responsibility.
A CHES is a practitioner who has**:
For more details on the CHES® exam, please review the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).
**Please refer to the NCHEC.org website for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam Application Handbook for any updated eligibility details.
Total Credits: 27
| Title | Credits |
| Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| Introduction to Health Education and Wellness | 3 |
| Integrative Health | 3 |
| Health Behavior | 3 |
| Current Trends Health Education | 3 |
| Integrative Health Promotion | 3 |
| Advances in Health Promotion | 3 |
| Planning and Evaluation of Health Programs | 3 |
| Implementation of Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| Total | 27 |
The Health Education Certificate (HEC) will help me with my goals toward becoming a nurse practitioner, as well as strengthen my knowledge in healthcare ethics and affirm my skillsets with patients, and in the medical field, overall.
The HEC program at SCU has provided me with the knowledge and tools to better serve and promote wellness by using health-focused strategies to educate communities and help them learn and sustain a healthy lifestyle. I am excited to embark on the journey of helping others live their best lives.
Students seeking reasonable accommodations or support services while enrolled at SCU can do so through the Student Services Office (SSO). We encourage you to register with SSO as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the approval and notification process.
$12,150 tuition to complete the program.*
The table below represents the student’s tuition for a Block A entry. The Post-Baccalaureate Health Education Certificate program provides two start dates each term, the first is referred to as Block A and the second as Block B. The total tuition does not differ based on when a student starts but the cost per term shown below will be different due to the timing. All tuition shown below is for Block A students (the first start date of the term).
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to Graduate Fee** | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $5,400 | $150 | – | $5,550 |
| 2 | $2,700 | $150 | – | $2,850 |
| 3 | $4,050 | $150 | $225 | $4,425 |
| Totals | $12,150 | $450 | $225 | $12,825 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
*Tuition is charged at $450 per credit. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
**Program fees listed are for the 2024/2025 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology and ASB and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.
***Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
Our approach to Interprofessional Education is unique. In California and across the country. Here modern medicine unites with ancient and traditional healing arts to create an environment of engagement. SCU’s groundbreaking IPE model combines curriculum, clinic, community, and clubs to help you develop a broader base of knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives on care. Which leads to a seamless transition from student to practitioner.
We bring together aspiring students from different disciplines so you can learn and excel side-by-side. The depth and breadth of this dynamic experience will prepare you to one day take the lead in a collaborative, interprofessional practice.
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Financing Your Dreams
We are proud to offer a fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional and program-specific scholarship opportunities.