Health Science & Safety Education - Southwestern Illinois College

The Health Science/Safety Education major is designed to emphasize the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles through informed choice by empowering students to distinguish between behaviors that foster and those that hinder well-being. Students will be prepared primarily for careers in the public health sector.

For more information on the Health Science & Safety Education program, please contact:

Scott Wolf
618-235-2700 Extension 7435
Email: scott.wolf@swic.edu

EDUCATION PROGRAM

Associate in Science Degree (0002) – Health Science & Safety Education Pre-Major

Students who plan to earn an Associate in Science degree then transfer to a four-year college or university to major in Health Science/Safety Education Science should follow the steps listed below. It is strongly recommended that you confer with a SWIC academic advisor prior to enrolling each semester and familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the four-year institution where you plan to transfer.

  1. Fulfill the General Education and other institutional requirements for the Associate in Science degree listed in the printed or online College Catalog. General Education course preferences may vary by transfer institution.
  2. As you fulfill your degree requirements, it is strongly recommended that you take the following classes:
    BIOL 101 – Principles of Biology I
    CHEM 101 – Introductory Chemistry or CHEM 105-General Chemistry
    HES151 – Personal Health and Wellness
  3. Most four-year colleges and universities will accept the following classes as Exercise Science major credit:
    HES 152 – First Aid-Medical Self Help
    HES 154 – Nutrition, Exercise, and Weight Management
    HES 158 – Consumer Health
  4. The optional courses listed below may be applicable toward a baccalaureate Exercise Science major. Please keep in mind that most transfer institutions limit the number of credit hours taken within a student’s major field of study at the community college level. To ensure the acceptance of such courses toward your intended major, check with the four-year institution where you are transferring or a SWIC academic advisor regarding their applicability.
    BIOL 105 – Human Biology or BIOL 157 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I
    BIOL 250 – Microbiology
    PSYC 270 – Health Psychology
    SOC 153 – Introductory Sociology
  5. Fulfill all other Associate in Science degree requirements listed in the printed or online College Catalog.
  6. Apply for graduation by the date published in the college calendar.
  7. Earn at least 64 transferable credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 to graduate from SWIC. Many transfer institutions require a higher GPA for admission to the institution and/or specific majors.
    Note: Enrollment in many transfer classes is based on your score on the assessment placement test and/or your fulfillment of course prerequisites.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor
  • Health Behavior Specialist
  • Community Health Educator
  • Environmental Health Specialist
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Occupational Health and Safety Technician
  • Health Consultant
  • Alcohol or Drug Abuse Consultant

For more information, please fill out the form on the contact page: