A student who is pursuing a career as a Certified Health Education Specialist must be able to understand and modify health behavior. The goal is to influence beliefs and enhance positive actions towards healthy living. The individual will gain the necessary knowledge in their undergraduate or graduate studies. They must also earn direct experience in their chosen health field. The hands-on practice and shadowing will aid in the learners understanding and knowledge of health education. It is recommended that the individual keeps a detailed record of their projects and experience for future education or professional endeavors. Finally, the learner must take and pass the CHES exam. These steps arm the individual with the tools necessary to be successful as a health educator. Becoming a CHES signifies the student is a public health professional and requires the learner to demonstrate an accelerated knowledge of fundamental public health science and successfully passing the CPH exam.
The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. The major for this certification must be public health, health education, or a related field. The student must earn twenty-five credits or more in courses that focus on health promotion and education. Universities and college have different types of degrees they offer, but most of them provide some sort of health education degree. It allows the student to decide what area they want to focus on and use that to determine the higher education facility they will attend. The individual should let the department chair know that they are pursuing certification as a health education specialist and they can aid in ensuring the necessary courses are being taken for testing eligibility. The learner has to opportunity to continue to earn their masters or even their doctorate in this growing area of study; however, it is not required to obtain certification.
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"How a Person Becomes a Certified Health Education Specialist, CHES".
Next, it is necessary for the student to earn hours of direct experience in their field. In many different areas of study, it is beneficial for the learner to obtain hands-on practice by spending time in the actual profession. Shadowing a mentor or interning in the chosen field. Being vigilant in pursuing opportunities outside of the classroom is important for personal development. The initiative will show the student’s dedication to their profession and the desire to be prepared for the job requirements. The field is relatively diverse, and the student should take the time to explore the industry to ensure they are pursuing the specialty that best inspires them.
The student should consider documenting experiences like projects and hands-on learning. Not only is a great tool to refresh their memory and ensure they are maximizing their educational experience, but it is an excellent tool for their future. The student can reference their professional encounters and use that as a contact list when looking for references and recommendations. In many cases, the learner will be required to complete several undergraduate projects, and that will be a great resource to reflect accomplishments to future employers. The documentation of the journey will also help the individual in preparing for the certification exam. It will allow them to refresh their memory on different milestones and details they learned along the way.
Finally, the student needs to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. The test is designed to verify the learner has the necessary skills and knowledge to do their job. The certification serves as a means to distinguish the student from others in the health field and substantiates their accomplishments. It validates the core competence of the participant in their education. Employers are moving more towards CHES requirements, so it is vital for students to complete as soon as possible. The individual can utilize what they learned to take the test while it is still fresh in their memory. The longer the individual waits for the certification, the harder it is for them to recall the vital information they learned in the classroom and during their hands-on exposure. Because it is becoming essential for employees to have their certification, it is recommended that the individual prepare to take the exam as soon as they have graduated. There is an option for the student to take the exam before they graduated, as long as their courses will be completed within ninety days of the test. The test will serve to distinguish the individual from others by meeting the basic standards established in the public health industry. It is a long process, but the outcome will prepare the student for their chosen field of profession.
Becoming a CHES signifies the student is a public health professional and requires the learner to demonstrate an accelerated knowledge of fundamental public health science and successfully passing the CPH exam. The individual must obtain the necessary education to pursue a career as a health professional. It is mandated that they earn the minimum of a bachelor’s degree. They must also log time by shadowing a professional and completing hands-on hours. It is recommended that the student keeps a detailed record of their accomplishments which will benefit them in future jobs or continuing their education. Finally, the learner must be able to pass the CHES exam. Also, the individual needs to have a comprehensive knowledge of health education and the ability to communicate that expertise to others. The overall goal is to be able to change behavior and to aid others in improving their lifestyle to implement a healthier form of living.
