Turn your passion for public health into action.
The Health Education and Promotion concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Public Health–Global Health at the University of Washington draws upon the strengths of the Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) to prepare students to design, implement, and evaluate strategies that improve health knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors across diverse communities.
This concentration aligns directly with competencies required for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential—one of the most recognized certifications in the field of health education. Graduates are well-positioned to pursue CHES certification and stand out in a competitive job market.
Why Choose Health Education and Promotion?
✔ Prepare for the CHES Credential
Coursework is intentionally aligned with CHES competencies, giving you a strong academic foundation for certification.
✔ Learn from Health Systems and Population Health Experts
This track includes core HSERV courses within the Department of Health Systems and Population Health, equipping you with systems-level thinking and applied health promotion skills.
✔ Gain Hands-On Experience
Complete 150 hours of experiential learning through a public health internship, applying your knowledge in real community or organizational settings.
✔ Build a Strong Foundation for an MPH
This concentration provides excellent preparation for Master of Public Health programs, including the MPH in Health Systems and Population Health and our unique MPH in Community-Oriented Public Health Practice, which trains students in a problem-based learning format. We also offer a fully online option for earning your MPH.
The Department of Health Systems and Population Health prepares future health practitioners, managers, and researchers to conduct the work of improving the well-being of communities in the United States and throughout the world. We envision a future where systems effectively, efficiently, and equitably promote the health of all populations. We are committed to working with partners in public health and health care systems to prepare leaders, design solutions, and conduct innovative research that is translated into practice and policy.
From individual behavior change to system-level transformation, our students gain the skills to create meaningful, measurable impact in real-world settings.
What You’ll Study
Students explore strategies to improve health at multiple levels:
- Individual and group behavior change
- Health communication and messaging
- Community health assessment
- Public health systems and management
- Evidence-based program planning and evaluation
Key Courses Include:
- HSERV 100: Personal and Public Health
- HSERV 204: Communicating about Health
- HSERV 343: Health Behavior and Health Promotion
- HSERV 344: Public Health and Health Systems Management
- HSERV 345: Community Health Assessment
- SPH 495: Public Health Internship (150 hours of experiential learning)
Career Pathways
Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Health educator
- Community health coordinator
- Health promotion specialist
- Public health program assistant
- Patient education specialist
With preparation for the Certified Health Education Specialist credential and applied experience, you’ll graduate ready to lead health improvement efforts in schools, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and community-based settings.
Make an Impact That Matters
Health education changes lives.
If you want to empower communities, address health disparities, and build skills that translate directly into meaningful careers—or graduate study—this concentration is for you.
Talk to an advisor about the Health Education and Promotion concentration today.