Certification
All students that successfully complete the coursework in the Applied Health Science major are eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) Exam. This provides students the opportunity to graduate with a certification that can provide them advantages when applying for jobs and advanced degree programs.
Preprofessional emphases are eligible for additional certifications and licensures upon graduation and further education.
What is the CHES exam?
Issued by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), the Certified Health Education Specialist® Exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge related to the Eight Areas of Responsibility, as verified by a national role delineation and practice analysis process. The computer-based exam consists of 165 multiple choice questions and is administered by Prometric in test centers and through live remote proctoring both nationally and internationally.
Who can obtain this certification?
All our Applied Health Science majors are prepared and eligible to sit for this exam, either in their last semester or after they graduate.
Why take this exam?
Adding the CHES® certification to your title and resume can demonstrate a mastery of skillsets needed in a wide variety of workplace settings across the country including government, community/non-profit, university, healthcare, schools, and businesses. This credential tells a potential employer that an individual not only has a college degree in health education/health promotion but that they are up to date in knowledge and expertise and are committed to continuing their education through professional development after college.
When can I take this exam?
Students are eligible to take the CHES® exam during their final semester in the program with a letter indicating eligibility from an advisor. The exam is offered for a period of 10 days in both April and October. Students are encouraged to speak with their advisor about this exam.
For more information about NCHEC and CHES® – visit https://www.nchec.org/
