TSU Named among Top Ten Schools of CHES Candidate-Producing Professional Preparation Programs.

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Truman State University was named as one of the Top Ten Schools with the most students qualifying for the CHES examination for 2015 and 2016 by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).  In both 2015 and 2016 Truman State University was ranked number six.  The other schools on the lists are as follows:

2015

  1. Emory University – Rollins School of Public Health
  2. James Madison University
  3. California State University – Northridge
  4. East Carolina University
  5. New Jersey City University
  6. Truman State University
  7. University of Florida – Gainesville
  8. University of Utah
  9. University of Puerto Rico
  10. (tie) University of North Carolina – Greensboro, and University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse

2016

  1. Walden University
  2. Texas A & M University
  3. California State University – Northridge
  4. Liberty University
  5. New Jersey City University
  6. Truman State University
  7. University of Florida – Gainesville
  8. Utah Valley University
  9. University of Puerto Rico
  10. University of North Carolina – Greensboro

Health Science students from the Department of Health and Exercise Science are required to take the national CHES exam (Certified Health Education Specialist) as their senior exit exam.  Nationally, the pass rate for the CHES exam is 70%.  The April 2017 pass rate for the 51 graduating seniors taking the exam was 96%.

The CHES exam is competency-based test covering the seven major areas of responsibility for a Health Education Specialist:

  1. Assess needs, assets, and capacity for health education/promotion
  2. Plan health education/promotion
  3. Implement health education/promotion
  4. Conduct evaluation and research related to health education/promotion
  5. Administer and manage health education/promotion
  6. Serve as a health education/promotion resource person
  7. Communicate, promote, and advocate for health, and the profession of health education/promotion

NCHEC is the only nationally and internationally accredited organization certifying health education specialists.  Additionally, NCHEC promotes professional development among CHES-certified individuals, and works to strengthens professional preparation and practice among university preparation programs.

The Health Science curriculum is built around the CHES Areas of Responsibilities and is designed to build the competencies and sub-competencies of the majors to be better prepared to enter the health workforce and/or attend graduate programs in health-related fields.  The five full-time Health Science faculty are all CHES or MCHES (Master CHES) certified.