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Health teacher education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a health teacher. Health teachers usually study health education, education, or kinesiology. 73% of health teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,329 real health teacher resumes to see exactly what health teacher education sections show.

The most common colleges for health teachers are the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

There are also many online health teacher courses to help get the education required to be a health teacher.

There are certain health teacher certifications that you should consider. These health teacher certifications include Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE).

What education do you need to become a health teacher?

What degree do you need to be a health teacher?

The most common degree for health teachers is bachelor's degree, with 73% of health teachers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Master's, 17%
  • Associate, 6%
  • High School Diploma, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a health teacher?

You should major in health education to become a health teacher. 36% of health teachers major in health education. Other common majors for a health teacher include education and kinesiology.

Most common colleges for health teachers

Health teachers often get their degrees at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Northern Illinois University, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Here are the most common colleges for health teachers in the US based on their resumes.
Health teacher common collegePercentages
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania8.03%
Northern Illinois University7.30%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale6.57%
University of South Florida5.11%
West Virginia University5.11%

Best majors for health teachers

Best colleges for health teachers

The best colleges for health teachers are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.

A health teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for health teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become health teachers.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for health teachers

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1. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

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This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...

2. Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems

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This specialization is intended for people interested in health systems and how they function. Participants will learn about the global health systems landscape and the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes. This specialisation is divided into three courses which are offered as massive online open access courses (Courses 1-3), and a fourth course which is offered as part of the Online MPH degree (capstone). The Health Systems Development specialisation is geared toward...

3. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate

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4. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness

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Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

5. Health for All Through Primary Health Care

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This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...

6. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives

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Engaging in this course will provide you with the opportunity to think about breastfeeding and its public health implications. The Socio-Ecological Model will be the framework of the course as we think about how each level of the Model (individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy) impacts breastfeeding practices in the United States, and globally. Through short video lectures you will be introduced to relevant topics related to the public health perspectives of...

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9. Comparative Health Systems

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This course uses comparative analysis of health care systems to gain a better understanding of health care systems in several high-income, middle-income and low-income countries. One focus of analysis in this course will therefore be to develop a better knowledge of these health care systems. A second focus will be to use to this analysis to gain a better understanding of the health care system in the United States. This analysis is relevant for those who are directly interested in the United...

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11. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course

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13. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life

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Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...

14. The Complete Fitness & Health Masterclass - 21 Courses in 1

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The Most Comprehensive Masterclass to Improve Your Mind, Body and Health - Start Growing Today!...

15. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain

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16. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

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17. Women's Holistic Health Coach Teacher Training Course

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18. Mental Health First Aid Skills -

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19. Occupational Health & Safety Training

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Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

20. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification

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Top 10 most affordable universities for health teachers

The most affordable schools for health teachers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for health teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for health teachers.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for health teachers

The hardest universities for health teachers to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for health teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for health teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

7. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for health teachers

The easiest schools for health teachers to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a health teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for health teachers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

4. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

5. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

7. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

8. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

9. College of New Rochelle, The

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

982

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average health teacher salary by education level

According to our data, health teachers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $152,889 annually. Health teachers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $149,654.
Health teacher education levelHealth teacher salary
Master's Degree$149,654
Bachelor's Degree$106,414
Doctorate Degree$152,889

Health teacher education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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