Health Education

College of Health and Human Services
Dean: Don Taylor

Department of Health Education
HSS 326
415-338-1413
Fax: 415-338-0570
Chair: Mary Beth Love
Associate Chair: John Elia

Graduate Coordinator: Love

Holistic Health Studies Program
HSS 326
415-338-1210
Fax: 415-338-0570
Director: T. Adam Burke

Certificate Program Coordinator: Peper

Women's Health Issues Program
HSS 326
415-338-1413
Director: Lisa Moore

Faculty

Professors—Clayson, Love, Peper

Associate Professors—Burke, Castellblanch, Chavez, Elia, Fernandez-Pena, Moore

Assistant Professors—Eliason, Harvey, Sanchez-Suet, Van Olphen, Wang

Lecturers—Bhatnagar, Buchbender, Bunting, Burrows, Chang, Chen, Cox, Finocchio, Gerhard, Goldberg, Jesdale, Jordan, Lamont, Luluquisen, Malik, Ottoson, Poulain, Quijano, Tapper, Wolin, Wu

Programs

B.S. in Health Education
Minor in Health Education
Minor in Holistic Health Studies
Minor in Women's Health Issues
Certificate in Holistic Health Studies
Master of Public Health

Program Scope

Mission. The Department of Health Education at San Francisco State University seeks to promote health and social justice. This goal is advanced through education and applied community-based research; encouraging student leadership that honors diversity and emphasizes collaboration; and promoting a model that examines the relationships of personal, cultural, and institutional contributions to complex personal and social issues that impact health.

Within the Department of Health Education, the Institute for Holistic Healing Studies has been in the forefront of a social revolution reflected in the burgeoning areas of integrative medicine, self-care, and the role of holism in human and planetary healing. HHS seeks to provide the university and its broader community with knowledge and skills that encourage and support health through natural means focusing on a rich cross-cultural, transhistoric vision of human well-being.

Together, the faculty in the Department of Health Education have developed a unique learning context designed to prepare students for entry and master's level positions in health and human services careers, including professional health educator, and the emerging field of integrative medicine. The department believes that preparing students for these careers is enhanced through exposure to applied scholarship, active engagement in participatory learning, and the thoughtful integration of theory and practice. In addition, the program also places a significant emphasis on the cultivation of team skills, leadership abilities, and effective communication.

The ultimate aim of the Department of Health Education at San Francisco State University is to explore and implement best practices in public health and holistic health, and to prepare leaders capable of advancing the work of disease prevention and health promotion in culturally appropriate and globally conscious ways.

Advising. Each student selects a faculty adviser upon declaring the major (BS) or admission (MPH) and is expected to work with that adviser in order to assure proper articulation of courses. Prior to meeting with the faculty, undergraduate students are required to meet first with a peer mentor adviser (PMA) who is typically an upper division student in the major. The role of a peer mentor adviser is to advise students about the requirements for the health education major. Students seeking an adviser should consult the office staff for assistance.

Supplemental Credential

Individuals who already possess a single subject credential in another area may add health sciences to their existing teaching credential by completing a specified number of semester hours in health sciences. Individuals seeking a supplemental credential should seek the assistance of an adviser in the Department of Health Education.

Metro Health Academy

The Metro Health Academy (MHA) is a three semester sequence of courses for first- and second-year students at SF State. It is comprised of seven courses that blend general education required course work with content on urban health and social justice. The aim of the sequencing is to prepare diverse students to write effectively, speak powerfully, and think critically. Our goal is to empower students to become leaders who will create healthy communities embedded in a socially and economically just world. Participation in Metro Health Academy is geared towards those interested in a career in public health, community health education, social services, the non-profit sector, clinical health professions or community organizing. The course sequence was designed to facilitate learning and help students progress more quickly toward graduation. A feature of MHA is strong academic support and student advising

Students begin with a first year experience course orienting them to the university and to urban health and human rights. In the following two semesters, students participate in a learning community, two linked courses that share common assignments. The MHA core course has the theme of urban health and social justice, linked with a general education course infused with examples on urban health and human rights. In addition to these courses, students will also complete other required courses working from a list of classes whose themes are close to those of MHA.

Bachelor of Science

The community health education program is designed to facilitate voluntary changes in individual health behaviors as well as to advocate for social and economic policies which lead to health promotion and disease prevention for all. This program prepares individuals to plan, implement, and evaluate programs for health and human services such as public health departments, voluntary health agencies, community-based organizations, community clinics, and hospitals.

The course work and field experience in health education have three primary objectives: (1) to provide a theoretical and philosophical foundation in principles of community health education; (2) to facilitate the development of professional skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation; and (3) to offer broad course work in personal, community, and school health. Students are also expected to complete course work in biological, social, and behavioral sciences.

The B.S. degree has 36 core units and fifteen electives to be chosen in one of the three areas described below.

Emphasis Areas

Community-based Public Health is an approach that unites the community by organizing, empowering, and participating in shared-leadership partnerships for health. This emphasis gives students freedom to choose electives from their particular health-related area of interest. Students design programs rooted in the values, experiences, knowledge, and interests of the community itself.

Holistic Health Studies explores diverse cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary concepts and practices from around the world providing students with a deeper understanding of health, healing, and optimal well-being. A holistic perspective informs course content, one that recognizes the fundamental interdependence of life on this planet. Experiential learning is an essential component of the curriculum.

School Health fills the need of recent increases in demand for credentialed teachers in public schools. The emphasis provides essential course work that satisfies the newly developed California State Standards in Health Science. Upon graduation, students will be ready to enter the teaching credential program with virtually all course work in the single subject program completed.

Minors & Certificates

Minor in Health Education. The Department of Health Education offers a 21-unit minor program. The minor complements many major programs provided by other university departments and has been designed for maximum flexibility. Individuals must work with a health education adviser to select appropriate courses.

Minor In Women's Health Issues. The minor offers three areas of focus: (1) theory about women's social roles and status implications for women's health; (2) organizing and managing health services, health education, and health delivery systems; (3) politics, policy analysis, and strategies for changing women's health policies. Students take a core course in each of these areas, then choose three electives which may be concentrated within one area or drawn from several areas, and then complete a culminating research project or internship. The choice of electives and final research project or internship is chosen in consultation with an adviser in order to meet the needs and interests of the individual student. A minor in women's health is a natural complement to a variety of majors such as nursing, health education, counseling, psychology, urban studies, or other human service careers.

Institute for Holistic Health Studies

Minor in Holistic Health Studies. The Institute for Holistic Health Studies, within the Department of Health Education, offers a Holistic Health Studies Minor. The minor is taken in conjunction with one’s bachelor's degree and appears on the diploma along with the major. A minor in Holistic Health Studies is an excellent complement to many SFSU majors. It provides unique learning opportunities, a chance to explore or expand career options, and a way to improve personal health and well-being. Course content is interdisciplinary, examines human experience and health from an interdependent or holistic perspective, and focuses on practical, experiential learning in diverse areas such as stress management, autogenic training, East Asian medicine, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, guided imagery and more. Additional benefits to minors include priority wait listing for Holistic Health Studies courses, individual advising with faculty, and collaboration with others interested in complementary and alternative health practices. The minor involves taking 18 units of Holistic Health Studies courses – 9 units of core courses (Eastern, Western, and Global Perspectives), and 9 units of elective courses – and also 4 units of anatomy or physiology, for a total of 22 units (see description of minor below).

Certificate in Holistic Health. The Certificate program is available to anyone admitted through Extended Learning/Open University. It is also available to matriculated students who have completed the minor. The curriculum for the Certificate includes an additional 8 units beyond the minor. The Holistic Health Studies Certificate is ideally suited for individuals who already have an academic degree, who are already in a health profession, or who may be exploring career options. Also, since holistic health encourages self-care and self-regulation, the Certificate program can be an excellent choice for stress reduction, personal growth, and health promotion. Classes can also be taken individually without enrolling in the Certificate program, an excellent way to explore specific interests. (See description of the Certificate program below.)

Master of Public Health in Community Health Education

The mission of the MPH in Community Health Education at San Francisco State University is to promote health and social justice in urban communities. Central to this vision is an emphasis on a community-based approach that builds diverse, collaborative leadership and recognizes the importance of understanding the multiple determinants of health to design effective, comprehensive solutions. To fulfill this mission, students are engaged through contextual and participatory teaching approaches integrating theory and practice, with an emphasis on developing team, leadership, and communication skills in graduates of the program. The ultimate aim is to develop culturally and professionally competent leaders in public health able to work with communities to apply systems theory to prevent disease and promote the health of the public.

To further this mission, the goals of the MPH include:

1. Providing professional preparation in the core competencies, functions, and responsibilities for community health educators.
2. Embracing an ecological approach, emphasizing the importance of addressing determinants of health at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy level in the curriculum.
3. Building student skills and competencies needed to promote health and prevent disease among culturally diverse urban populations.
4. Emphasizing principles of adult learning in the application of skills and knowledge to specific problems.
5. Emphasizing the integration of theory and practice in a community-based public health framework.
6. Emphasizing collaborative leadership and team building through a cohort approach.
7. Conducting applied public health research that addresses the social determinants of health, reduces social inequalities in health, and contributes to building healthy communities.
8. Serving the campus community and the communities of the Bay Area through developing mutually beneficial partnerships with communities, health care departments, community-based organizations, governments, and other public and private institutions.

Career Outlook

A variety of career opportunities are open to individuals graduating from the health education program. Results from a recent survey of program graduates indicate that in addition to positions specifically titled health educator, many also hold positions as program planners, assistant administrators, assistant personnel directors, in-service education coordinators, community outreach workers, health counselors, health writers, environmental workers, and pharmaceutical-medical detail persons. Employers include hospitals, government and voluntary agencies, school districts, private industries, and some individuals are self-employed.

Health Education graduates also select careers outside the health care field. The professional skills developed in the degree programs have numerous applications in non-health employment settings. Additionally, some health education graduates continue graduate studies in public health, administration, social services, dentistry, medicine, and law.

Holistic Health Studies as a minor or emphasis area is a practical career choice on many levels. As a result of growing national interest in complementary and alternative health practices there are expanding opportunities in the areas of medical care, health promotion, and lifestyle. Healthcare providers, such as nurses, physicians, and pharmacists need to understand the use of alternative health practices. There is an increasing need for practitioners in new emerging healthcare fields including naturopathy and acupuncture. Innovative approaches to health promotion and lifestyle are also becoming increasingly important, leading to career opportunities in business, teaching, research and counseling. A Minor or Certificate in Holistic Health Studies provides an understanding of important holistic health concepts and practices relevant to many health and social service related careers.

Graduates of the Master of Public Health in Community Health Education program are prepared for advanced level professional positions in public health departments and private and public health care settings and a variety of community-based organizations. Nationally, the emphasis is on primary and secondary prevention and population-based management of health, making the skills and competencies of community health educators a market demand.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH EDUCATION

Undergraduate Advisers: Bunting, Burke, Burrows, Castellblanch, Chavez, Clayson, Elia, Eliason, Fernandez-Pena, Harvey, Moore, Peper, Sanchez-Suet, Tapper, Van Olphen, Wang

The Bachelor of Science is a 120-unit degree, with a 51-unit major.

The following foundation courses or their equivalents must be completed prior to graduation. While it is not mandatory to complete the foundation courses before taking the core courses, individuals are encouraged to work toward completion of foundation courses prior to the junior year. Students entering from the community college system, or other four-year universities, should have their transcripts evaluated by a department adviser in order to receive credit for equivalent courses taken elsewhere. To determine whether courses taken at another college or university may be accepted as foundation courses, individuals should seek the assistance of an adviser in the Department of Health Education. Some foundation courses may be counted for SFSU general education credit; a health education adviser will help determine this. Upon completing 48 units, please take the JEPET or ENG 414. Students must pass the JEPET or ENG 414 before enrolling in H ED 431.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN HEALTH EDUCATION

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN HOLISTIC HEALTH

Holistic Health Advisers: Burke, Burrows, Harvey, Peper, Wang

A Minor in Holistic Health complements many SFSU majors, provides unique learning opportunities, and expands career options. Benefits to HH minors include priority waiting list for HH courses, individual advising with IHHS faculty and collaboration with others interested in complementary healing.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

CERTIFICATE IN HOLISTIC HEALTH

Holistic Health Advisers: Burke, Burrows, Harvey, Peper, Wang

The Certificate in Holistic Health is available to degree and non-degree students. The certificate is offered by IHHS as a resource for health care professionals seeking career enrichment and for those pursuing growth and a deeper understanding of holistic health.

Note: Non-degree students apply through the College of Extended Learning , 415-338-1373. For additional information, visit www.cel.sfsu.edu.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

NOTE: Students fulfilling the Holistic Health Minor or Certificate Program are eligible to apply for a Certification in Stress Management Education given by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA). Also, students who take the biofeedback courses and fulfill some further requirements may be eligible to apply for Biofeedback Certification given by BCIA. See a Holistic Health adviser for details.

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Graduate Advisers: Castellblanch, Chavez, Clayson, Elia, Eliason, Fernández Peña, Harvey, Love, Moore, Sanchez, van Olphen

Admission Requirements

Beyond the completed departmental MPH application materials downloadable from the departmental website and transcripts of all previous college work listed on the application form (including San Francisco State), admission to the program requires:

• Evidence of academic excellence, as reflected in a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in a baccalaureate degree or in the last 60 attempted semester (90 quarter) units of higher education coursework, or a previously earned post-baccalaureate degree
• Graduate-level proficiency in written English
• College coursework in statistics, social science, and in CESD (cultural, ethnic, or social diversity) or its equivalent
• At least two years full-time equivalent health-related work experience, paid and/or volunteer positions, preferably in the public health field
• Three reference forms
• A current resume
• A statement of purpose
• Graduate Record Exam (The GRE is required; the exam results will not be used to determine admission status, but rather as a diagnostic tool to identify academic areas requiring additional preparation work prior to the accepted applicant's first semester of MPH coursework.)
• Applicants who demonstrate linguistic competence in English and a second language will be given preference

Admission Procedures

Step 1.  Attend a Prospective MPH Student Information Session. These sessions describe the program and the admission/selection procedures. Before applying to the program, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of these information sessions. Dates and locations for the information sessions are posted on the departmental website.

Step 2.  Submission of Documents. Complete and submit all documents on or before the scheduled application deadline. Submit to the Division of Graduate Studies the completed graduate studies online application, official transcripts, required standardized test scores (GRE for all; TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers), and any additional documents required by the University. See Graduate Studies website for more details, www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy. Submit to the Health Education Department the completed application form, unofficial transcripts, three reference forms, a current resume, a statement of purpose, the program requirements contract, and the department application checklist. See department website for more details, www.sfsu.edu/~hed. Note: The application deadline applies to both the university graduate division online application and the departmental application documents.

Step 3.  Admission Decision Notification. In early spring, applicants will receive an admission decision notification of either conditional acceptance or non-acceptance to the program.

Step 4.  MPH Program Move to Classified Status. All applicants are admitted with conditional status. After a semester of coursework earning a 3.0 or better GPA and completion of the Level One Written English Proficiency Requirement (see below), accepted students are officially moved from conditional to classified status.

Application Period

New students are admitted to the MPH program to commence in the fall semester only. Information and applications are available on the SFSU Graduate Studies website (www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/) and the departmental website (http://www.sfsu.edu/~hed) or by visiting San Francisco State University, Department of Health Education, 1600 Holloway Avenue, HSS 326, San Francisco, CA 94132-4161; telephone, 415-338-1413; e-mail, hed@sfsu.edu.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: The student must demonstrate graduate-level proficiency in written English by receiving a satisfactory evaluation of his/her writing skills at the midpoint of the first semester from the instructors of H ED 810 and H ED 815. If the first semester midpoint evaluation identifies writing deficiencies, remedial work will be required before the student can be moved to classified status.

Level Two: The student’s ability to write in a scholarly manner in the major field must be demonstrated by satisfactory completion of the written component of the HED 895 culminating experience project.

Curriculum

The MPH curriculum, a two-year sequence designed for working professionals, emphasizes collaborative learning, problem solving, practical experience, social justice, and advocacy. Students move through the curriculum as a learning cohort for the entire two years. In addition to the sequenced courses, students complete an additional 9 units of non-sequenced courses with some flexibility in the semester during which these non-sequenced courses can be taken.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.