Do you want an interesting career where you make a difference every day? Health Education is a great choice!
The Health Education Teacher Education program will prepare you to teach healthy behavior and promote lifelong health habits for elementary, middle, high school students (K-12).
You can make a lasting impact on the next generation through health education. Our program will give you the tools to become a teacher who makes students’ overall wellbeing a priority in their education. As a student at the top-ranked college of education in Kentucky, you will be prepared to create safe, welcoming and effective learning environments. You can add an optional double major in Health Education Teacher Education and Physical Education Teacher Education if you're interested in teaching both health education and physical education, which employers often look for in applicants.
As a Health Education student, you will:
Learn effective teaching, guided by the National Health Education Standards
Be part of a close-knit community where professors know you by name and classmates provide a built-in network of support
Engage in interactive coursework focused on health content and teaching methods grounded in the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards
Get experience in classrooms early in the program
Participate in an immersive, semester-long student teaching experience to prepare to lead your own classroom right away
Graduates of the Health Education program will be prepared to immediately step into the classroom to teach health in K-12 schools – or to pursue careers in the fields of health promotion, education, and youth programs or graduate studies in health- and education-related disciplines.
To apply to the program, students must complete an undergraduate admissions application and declare interest in Health Education Teacher Education. This program requires admission to the Teacher Education Program after completing 30 hours. Students must have a 2.75 or higher GPA, complete an application, submit a portfolio, and complete the interview process. Following successful completion of coursework, students complete a semester of student teaching. Completion of this degree qualifies students to pursue a state teaching certificate in health education.
The B.S. in Health Education Teacher Certification requires completion of the following: (1) the UK Core requirements; (2) specified course work in Program Related Studies and Professional Education; and (3) one of the Health Education Teacher Education plans. Students are encouraged to complete Plan 1, which includes a double major in Health Education Teacher Education and Physical Education Teacher Education. This prepares you to be eligible to earn a dual certification in both health and physical education for grades K-12. Students who complete Plan 2, choose to purse certification in Health Education Teacher Education only and will be required to select a university-approved minor.
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of scholarship awards from the College of Education.
For incoming freshmen the scholarship application deadline is February 1.
For transfer and current students the scholarship application deadline is April 1.
Students can find many opportunities to join organizations. Learn more about student organizations in our college.
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.
You can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the UK Student Account Services website.
College of Education
128 Taylor Education Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0001
(859) 218-2698
