Barron's in Education

"I am glad the program is such a success. I have received notes from all of the students in the class…it was so nice to read them all and hear how valuable they found the program."

"I would like to thank Barron's for allowing our students and faculty free access, not only, to Barron's financial literacy resources, but also, to its financial experts, via its virtual roundtable discussion on issues of significant interest to the typical investor, household. Given the current economic condition we're facing, your program is even justifiably more important now than ever before."

Education Department

The Admissions office featured the Department of Education in an academic showcase in early 2021. If you need guidance on where to start, Dr. Jane Finn and Dr. Laura Pardo go over the available majors and how they can be paired together to give you more options after graduation. If you would like to know what it is like to be an education major from a student's perspective, a panel of current education students share some of their experiences and opportunites.

Community Health Education Degree Online

With an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community Health Education degree, you can make a positive difference in the communities that need it most.

The online bachelor's program focuses on improving the health of individuals and their communities based on their needs and resources.

For student Jacqueline Graham, this program gave her so much more than what she learned in the classroom. Graham says, "it was truly life-changing," giving her the confidence to not only complete the program but go on to pursue her master's.

This program aligns with the educational requirements for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination, offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Successful student graduates will have fulfilled the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the CHES examination.

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

With community health a concern throughout the United States and around the globe, the need for health educators and community health workers is on the rise.

Through 2032, employment is projected to grow 7% for health education specialist positions. Growth is driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs through promotion of healthy behaviors.1

In 2022, the BLS reported a median annual wage for health education specialists of $59,990, with the highest 10% earning more than $106,210.1

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

At a community level, health educators help overcome health disparities that ensure equal access to healthcare for specific demographics. “We look at the issues that are going on in our communities through a social justice lens,” said Southern New Hampshire University adjunct faculty member Dede Teteh, a certified health education specialist and public health researcher.

Health education specialists can work in a variety of settings. According to the BLS, here are the top 5 employers of community health workers and health educators:1

The BLS notes that while health educators typically need at least a bachelor's degree, some organizations also require Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credentials.2 The CHES credential is offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).

SNHU's online BS in Community Health Education program can help prepare you for a variety of roles within the high-growth public health education field, including:

Earning your degree in community health education can also help advance your current career in the field by giving you the opportunity to explore the subject more in-depth. Daniel Amato '21 was able to earn his degree while working in the field, giving him the opportunity to build off his existing passion and knowledge. 

"I thought to myself … imagine what I would learn from this degree program and what I could accomplish from there," Amato said.

The BS in Community Health Education program is designed to help you build a strong foundation from which you can use to launch the next chapter of your life. Whether you wish to go straight into the field or want to continue your education by earning a master's in public health online, this program can help you get there.

Alexisa Humphrey '20

"My capstone was my most loved and valued class. I was able to focus on my passion in helping a community that is poverty-stricken and provide the youth in that area a way to reverse some unfavorable behaviors."

When you earn your health education degree online at SNHU, you've completed a program that was designed to set you up for success in the health field – created by subject-matter experts who know the skills you need to have under your belt. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites some of those important qualities1 as:

SNHU's bachelor's in community health education prepares you for the professional certification examination to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). According to NCHEC, the CHES credential shows employers that you've mastered the Seven Areas of Responsibility for health education specialists, outlined in the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis project.2 Those areas are:

The curriculum in the community health education degree provides you with 12 credits of electives within your program – meaning you get the opportunity to choose 4 courses in community health education, integrated health professions and public health education.

"I have learned so much in the years since I have been a student," said student Jacqueline Graham. "This major is wonderful, and the courses are interesting. There is so much to learn."

Plus, the community health degree program has plenty of free elective space overall. That's ideal for students with transfer credits, or even those who want to broaden their skill set and explore areas of interest.

Daniel Amato '21 was one student who brought a lot of credits into his program.

"I transferred credits to SNHU, which helped me complete my degree much faster," he said. "My credits ended up completing all my electives, so all I had to do for my community health education degree was my core classes. It was much quicker than I thought it would be."

Classes are taught by instructors who have experience in the field.

"The instructors at SNHU are so very helpful, and they all want their students to succeed," Graham said. "They are very accessible, so you will never feel alone or that you cannot have access to them because it is online."

Amato agreed.

"My instructors were knowledgeable and passionate about community health education," he said. "They allowed all of us to bring our own experiences into the classroom and use them within our studies. It made for a fun learning environment, because we got to read each other's stories and bounce ideas off each other."

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.