Health Promotion - Health Education Teacher Education, B.S.E.

Requirements for Program

Within the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, the Health Education Teacher Education (HETE) program prepares students to earn K-12 teaching certification in health education. This program supports the UK educator preparation unit’s theme of Research and Reflection for Learning and Leading. The process of reflective decision-making is embedded in the departmental philosophy that students learn best through experiencing.

Students in the HETE program engage in interactive course work focused on health content and teaching methodologies, gain observation and hands-on experience within local schools, and participate in an immersive semester-long student teaching opportunity.

“School-based health education helps adolescents acquire functional health knowledge, strengthen attitudes and beliefs, and practice skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors throughout their lives” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The HETE program equips students to confidently teach quality, skills-based health instruction guided by the National Health Education Standards and to demonstrate pedagogical qualities set forth by the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards.

The B.S. in Health Education Teacher Education 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 promotion teacher certification plans. Students are encouraged to complete Plan 1, which includes a dual major in Health Education Teacher Education and Physical Education Teacher Education so that they will be eligible to earn certifications in both health education and physical education for grades P-12. Students who choose to pursue certification in health education only will be required to select a university-approved minor as part of Plan 2.

Continuous Assessment

1. All students in the Health Education Teacher Education are expected to meet the standards and rules for Admission, Retention, and Exit from Teacher Education Programs as set forth in the section “Admission, Retention and Completion from Teacher Education Programs”.
2. The Health Education Teacher Education program stimulates higher performance goals for high-performing students by offering several modes of performance. Examples are: (a) skills in performing physical activities; (b) skills in writing and oral presentations in theory courses; (c) computer technological skills in some courses; and (d) leadership skills demonstrated by high-performing students who serve as class leaders, peer tutors, and/or assistant instructors.
3. After admittance to the program, students not only must maintain a 2.75 GPA, they must continue to exhibit desirable professional characteristics to remain in the program. Students who demonstrate a lack of commitment, effort, professional behavior, knowledge, or teaching skills may be removed from the program until these characteristics are demonstrated.