UC Blue Ash College

Pre-Health Promotion and Education

AA

Why study Pre-Health Promotion and Education?

The Health Promotion and Education (Pre) program is an associate degree program designed for students who, after obtaining the associate degree, plan to transition to the baccalaureate program in health promotion and education in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). 

According to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC), Health Education Specialist are "professionals who design, conduct and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people."

The Health Promotion and Education program at the University of Cincinnati is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of health promotion and education job opportunities. Health Education Specialists work to improve the health of individuals or communities, depending on their work setting and job responsibilities. For example, Health Education Specialists working in health departments often are concerned with the health of the community they serve and may develop programs to impact people living in the community. Health Education Specialists working in business/industry may be working one-on-one with individuals to help them modify and improve their diet, increase their physical activity, reduce their stress levels, stop smoking, etc.

The eight basic responsibilities of the Health Education Specialist include:

  • Assessing individual and community needs for health education
  • Planning health education strategies, interventions and programs
  • Implementing health education strategies, interventions and programs
  • Conducting evaluation and research related to health education
  • Advocating for health and health education
  • Communicating for health and health education
  • Leadership and Management
  • Ethics and Professionalism

Admission Requirements

This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.

Health Education Specialists must be good communicators and like working with people. They need to be able to comfortably speak to individuals and groups and must have excellent writing skills. Furthermore, those majoring in health promotion and education are usually committed to their own health and are excited about helping others improve theirs. Creativity is a real plus for Health Education Specialists, as it often takes creative thinking to motivate and help individuals or communities to change health behaviors.

Both the behavioral and biological sciences form the foundation for health promotion and education. Course work is required in such areas as psychology, sociology, human growth and development, human anatomy and physiology, statistics and speech/communications. Basic business classes in marketing, economics and accounting are also required.

Depending on preparation and interest, graduates of the baccalaureate program in health promotion and education may find employment in community health agencies, departments of public health, business and industry, health care settings, sports medicine centers or schools. Health Education Specialists may be involved in such diverse areas as stress management, weight control, physical fitness, improved nutrition, smoking cessation, environmental health, family life and more.

A variety of professional organizations represent Health Education Specialists, depending on interest area and employment site. Some organizations are:

  • Association for the Advancement of Health Education
  • Society for Public Health Education
  • American Public Health Association
  • Association for Worksite Health Promotion
  • American School Health Association

Current and admitted students can locate advisor contact information for Health Promotion and Education (Pre) program via the UCBA Advising website.

To graduate from the UC Blue Ash College Health Promotion and Education (Pre) associate degree program, students must complete all required coursework and have a minimum grade point average of 2.0. 

Within CECH, a 2.50 grade point average is required to graduate from the bachelor's degree program.

Transferring to UC Blue Ash College from another institution:   

UC Blue Ash College has an open admission policy (although some programs within the college are selective admissions.) Students admitted to the college must show proof of high school graduation or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) exam. Submission of standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) is recommended but not required. Transfer students must also supply official transcripts from each previously attended institution. Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies.  Credits transferred from another institution may not fulfill specific requirements for the degree.  An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student’s file is complete.

For current UC students who wish to transfer from one UC program to another:   

Fill out an Application for Change in College and Program.

Submit the completed form to the college which offers the program into which you want to transition.

Transitioning from UC Blue Ash College to the UC baccalaureate program in Health Promotion and Education: UC Blue Ash College students must apply to the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services and also to the Health Promotion and Education program within the college. A 2.25 grade point average is required for admission into the program, and a 2.50 grade point average is required to graduate from the program in the CECH.

International students wishing to apply to UCBA can find information at UC Admissions - International Students.

Application Deadlines

UC Blue Ash College admits students each term, so students can begin fall, spring, and summer semesters. Please consult the UC Blue Ash Admissions page for specific application deadlines for each term.

Students should check with the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services for application deadlines to the bachelor's program.

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

Allied Health Program Coordinator
9555 Plainfield Rd.
Blue Ash, OH 45236
(513) 558-7928
ucbaalhdept@uc.edu

Find related programs in the following interest areas:

Program Code: 28ASC-PHE-AA