Health Education

About this Composite Major

The Health Education major prepares students to work as health educators within public school systems, grades 5-12. Students will study nutrition, human sexuality, drug education, and contemporary health issues. The curriculum in health education seeks to enhance knowledge of health services, health in the environment, and health instruction in public schools. Students will also become comfortable and skilled with the use of technology and will be able to demonstrate its application in the educational setting. Throughout the curriculum, learners will work with master teachers who will prepare the students to effectively teach in today's health education classroom.

Flexible Degree Options

Health Education and Physical Education Double Major
- With this dual focus, students develop a diverse skill set which prepares the future educator to teach a broad range of courses. With the addition of courses focused on mental health, community health, disease, and drug prevention, students have the opportunity to learn about and develop the skills needed to provide holistic health instruction inside and outside of the classroom.
Online Health Education
- VCSU offers an online Health Education degree program for working students or students who live outside the VCSU area. We are focused on providing a comprehensive and interactive program that allows our online students to pursue their educational goals in a non-traditional manner.

Teacher Education Requirements

Students must apply for and be accepted into the VCSU Teacher Education Program to complete courses required for teacher certification. Students should plan to apply for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program after their sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year. This program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and evidence of reading, writing, and math proficiency. Additional criteria for admission to Teacher Education can be found within the VCSU Catalog.

Meet a Student

Health Education Major Darious Graves stands with his diploma after commencement in front of the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse on the campus of Valley City State University

I am forever indebted to VCSU and the educational experience I was provided. The student-based curriculum truly embraces each future teacher’s potential. The Health and Physical Education (HPE) program consistently demonstrated enhancement, advancement and collective progression in an intimate way. The HPE program also provided a hands-on experience that fosters growth professionally, ethically and educationally. The demonstrations and educational practices of the HPE program provided elevating innovation. While at times the expectations were rigorous and overwhelming, those anxieties were comforted with professional experience, belief, and most importantly quality instruction. Choose a good college to become a good teacher. Choose VCSU to become a teacher who is a difference maker. - Darius Graves '19

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Get Involved in the Major

- Three students stand in a residence hall workout facility at Valley City State University.

The Kinesiology and Human Performance Club empowers students by providing invaluable opportunities such as attending professional conferences, crafting resume materials, preparing for exams like the GRE and PRAXIS, navigating the application processes for professional graduate programs, and studying for certifications and credentialing exams. The club is dedicated to cultivating students' growth and achievement within their discipline, fostering success in both academic and professional environments.

Contact Information

Department Chair

Dr. Rachelle Hunt, rachelle.hunt@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7260

Faculty Contact

Amber Thompson, amber.thompson.1@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7582

Department Location

Gaukler Family Wellness Physical Education Center, 149, (701) 845-7580

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ²
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ²
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ¹
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
BIOL 220	Human Anatomy and Physiology I ¹	4
BIOL 221	Human Anatomy and Physiology II ¹	4
HPER 206	Fundamentals of Teaching Health and Physical Education	3
HPER 210	First Aid & CPR	1
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management	2
HPER 240	Principles of Nutrition	3
HPER 300	Drug Education and Information	3
HPER 315	Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases	3
HPER 380	Instructional Methods in Human Sexuality	3
HPER 390	Secondary Health Education Methods	3
HPER 400	Current Issues in Community Health	3
Directed Electives
Select three hours from the following:		3
BIOL 310	Microbiology
BIOL 315	Genetics
HPER 208	Introduction to Physical Education
HPER 285	Introduction to Adapted Physical Education
HPER 410	Organization and Administration of Physical Education and Sport
MATH 321	Applied Probability and Statistics
PSYC 370	Abnormal Psychology
SOC 220	The Family
SOC 251	Introduction to Gerontology
Total Credits		35

¹: Students with a double major in Health and Physical Education may substitute HPER 258 Applied Anatomy, Physiology, and Human Performance or HPER 259 Applied Anatomy, Physiology, and Human Performance for BIOL 220 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BIOL 221 Human Anatomy and Physiology II.

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 35 Hrs
Total Professional Education Sequence 32-33 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

Professional Education Sequence

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Professional Education Sequence
EDUC 240	Educating Exceptional Students	3
EDUC 250	Introduction to Education	3
EDUC 283	Understanding Cultural Diversity in Education	3
EDUC 300	Educational Technology	2
EDUC 351	Secondary Practicum and Classroom Management	1
EDUC 352	Culturally Diverse Practicum	1
or EDUC 464	Practicum in the ELL Classroom
EDUC 375	Teaching Reading in the Content Areas	2
EDUC 400	Educational Psychology	2
EDUC 450	Trends in Assessment and Educational Issues	2
EDUC 480	Student Teaching (Secondary)	10
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
Total Credits		32

The same courses may not be used to fulfill requirements in two areas except when the student is graduating with a double major or more than one minor.

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study for Health Education Major

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2	English Composition (Gen Ed)	3
HPER 210	1	HPER 212	2
UNIV 150	1	MATH 104, 107, or 210 (Gen Ed)	3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)	3	PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3
English Composition (Gen Ed)	3	Speech Communications (Gen Ed)	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
	14		14
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 250	3	Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2
HPER 258	3	Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3
HPER 300	3	EDUC 240	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	HPER 206	3
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 259	3
	16		14
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 283	3	Directed Elective	3
EDUC 352	1	EDUC 300	2
HPER 240	3	EDUC 351	1
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	EDUC 375	2
Electives	8	HPER 315	3
		HPER 380	3
		PSYC 250	3
	18		17
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 400	2	EDUC 480	10
HPER 390	3
HPER 400	3
EDUC 450	2
Electives	7
	17		10
Total Credits 120

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Plan of Study for a Health Education Major and a Physical Education Major

*Opportunities for Summer Courses

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 100	2	HPER 206	3
HPER 108	1	HPER 215	3
HPER 207	2	PSYC 111	3
HPER 210	1	English Composition (Gen Ed)	3
UNIV 150	1	Math (Gen Ed)	3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)	3	Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3
English Composition (Gen Ed)	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
	17		18
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 208	3	HPER 259	3
HPER 258	3	HPER 285	3
EDUC 250	3	HPER 300	3
HPER 212 (Gen Ed)	2	HPER 314	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	EDUC 240	3
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	Art or Music (Gen Ed)	3
	18		18
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 220	3	HPER 240	3
HPER 325	3	HPER 315	3
HPER 386	3	HPER 380	3
HUM 201 (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 388	2
EDUC 283	3	HPER 402	3
EDUC 352	1	EDUC 351	1
PSYC 250	3	EDUC 400	2
	19		17
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
HPER 390	3	HPER 410	3
HPER 400	3	EDUC 480	10
HPER 490	3
EDUC 300	2
EDUC 375	2
EDUC 450	2
Additional Gen Ed	2
	17		13
Total Credits 137

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and reflect age-appropriate health education content in the communication of written lesson plans.
Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively manage and transition in the Health Education classroom.
Students will demonstrate the ability to provide for reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
Students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate biological and behavioral sciences into the Health Education curriculum.
Students will evaluate the societal influences on personal and community health.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in first aid, CPR, and AED.