School Health Education

The Program

A one-of-a-kind program in Wisconsin, the school health education major is nationally recognized for excellence in preparing certified school health education professionals. Eight faculty, all with doctorates in the field, lead students in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating school health education programs through classroom and field experiences. Graduates are certified to teach kindergarten through high school, prepared to coordinate school health education curricula, and experienced in developing health promotion activities for students and faculty. Courses in curriculum development, effective teaching behaviors, stress management, nutrition, physical fitness, human sexuality, alcohol and other drugs, and health promotion are offered. Graduates become professionals who assist others in developing a healthy, active lifestyle primarily within the school setting.

Career Opportunities

Public schools in Wisconsin and surrounding states provide most of the positions for our graduates. A certifiable minor, or a second major combined with school health education, increases a graduate's career options. Current interest in healthy living has created a greater demand for quality health educators at all grade levels.

Placement Due to its solid reputation, 80 to 85 percent of majors are placed within six months of graduation. Many school districts throughout the state, Midwest, and nation recruit our graduates because of the extensive background and hands-on experience they receive at UW-La Crosse.

Student Teaching Internship

As part of their preparation, school health education majors and minors are involved in school-based experiences from beginning to end of their college career. They spend more than 100 hours in schools prior to their culminating student teaching or internship experience in a quality school health education program in Wisconsin.

Program of Study

To successfully complete this course of study in four to four and one half years, Level 1 should be completed during the freshmen year; Level 2 during the sophomore and junior years; Levels 3 and 4 during the senior year.

Science Requirements (14 credits)

  • Bio 103, 105, or MIC 100
  • 2nd Lab Science (See SNAP for full list of classes, but SHE majors commonly choose ESC 101, PHY 155/156 or CHEM 100/103)
  • ESS 205 or Bio 312 (Bio 312 requires CHM 103 as prerequisite)
  • ESS 206 or Bio 313 (Bio 313 requires CHM 103 as prerequisite)

Level 1 Professional Prep (12 Credits) - Prerequisite for HED/SHE Level 1 Courses: HPR 105

  • HPR 105 Creating Healthy Active Lifestyle (3 credits)
  • HED 205 Introduction to Health Education & Health Promotion (3 credits)
  • EFN 205 Understanding Human Differences (3 credits)
  • ERS 100, HIS 306, SOC 225, or W-S 230 (select one course)

PPST Should be taken during Level 1 time frame or sooner if possible

Level 2 Professional Prep (23-24 Credits) - Prerequisite for SHE Level 2 Courses: HED 205

  • SHE 310 Introduction to Curricular Processes & Instructional Techniques (3 credits)
  • PSY 212 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
  • PSY 370 Educational Psychology (3 credits)
  • SPE 401 Exceptional Individuals (3 credits)
  • RDG 328 Reading in the Content Areas (3 credits)
  • Required Content in Health Education (8-9; must meet prerequisites for each content course)

Level 3 Professional Prep (20-23) - Prerequisites for HED Level 3 Courses: SHE 310, 8-9 credits of Level 2 Content Courses

  • SHE 410 Application of Curriculum Processes & Instructional Techniques (6 credits) LSOC
  • SHE 415 School Leadership for Health Educators (3 credits)
  • Required Content in Health Education (8-9credits; must meet prerequisites for each content course)
  • Electives in Health Education (3-5credits; must meet prerequisites for each content course)

Level Four Professional Prep (16) - Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education, completion of Levels 1,2,3 requirements.

  • Praxis II Subject Assessment - Submit passing scores with student teaching application
  • SHE 403 Student Teaching (15 credits)
  • C-I 492 Student Teaching/Intern Seminar (1 credit)

Total Credits

  General Education 48
Health Education 39
Science 10
Certification Requirements (includes 15 credits for student teaching 33
Total 127

Applying to SHE

Admission to Student Teaching requires a 2.75 GPA in the cumulative, major/minor and education sequences and passing scores on PRAXIS II Subject Assessment. Online GPA calculators are available here. All General Education, major courses, and clinical experiences must be completed prior to Student Teaching. Students apply for student teaching during the spring semester prior to the year they plan to student teach regardless of the semester (fall or spring) in which they plan to student teach.

* SHE 415 and 410 must be taken the semester prior to student teaching.

Required Content Courses for Majors in School Health Education

A minimum of 17 credits of Required Content Courses must be taken from the following list:

  • NUT 200 Human Nutrition (3 credits)
  • HED 469 Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (3; prerequisite. Bio 103 or 105)
  • HED 345 Issues in Emotional Health (3; prerequisite. HED 205)
  • HED 409 Stress Management & Relaxation Skills (1 credit)
  • HED 425 Violence and Injury Prevention (3 credits)
  • HED 472 Sexual Health Promotion (3 credits)

Elective Content Courses for Majors in School Health Education

A minimum of 3-5 credits of Elective Content Courses can be taken from the following list. Elective courses are offered on a rotating basis. Some are also offered during the J & M terms as well as in summer session. Must meet individual course prerequisite.

  • HED 462 Values Development for Health (1)
  • SHE 416 Developing Comprehensive School Health Programs (1)
  • SHE 418 Youth Health Issues (1)
  • HED 447 The Body/Mind Connection in Health (1 )
  • HED 473 Health Aspects of Aging (3)
  • HED 417 Understanding Child Abuse (1)
  • SHE 458 Imagery Techniques for Health Promotion and Sport Development (1-2)
  • SHE 460 Health Promotion and Preference (1-2)
  • HED 467 Experiential Learning Strategies for Health Education (1-2)
  • SHE/CHE 475 Workshop in Health Education (Repeatable for up to 6 credits combined SHE and CHE courses)
  • HED 448 Confrontations of Death (1-3)
  • ESS 312 Adventure Theory for Physical Educators (2; cannot be used by ESS majors as an elective)