FAMU public health students secure perfect passage rate on national CHES exam

Cynthia Harris, director, FAMU Institute of Public Health

Since 2009, 19 students have become eligible to take the Certified Education Health Specialist
(CHES) credentialing exam at the FAMU Institute of Public Health. Each of those students successfully passed the exam, allowing FAMU to hold the distinction of having a 100 percent pass rate on one of the nation’s most respected health education competency exams.

The Institute of Public Health recently learned that it once again achieved this feat, securing a 100 percent pass rate on the 2013 exam and surpassing the national average score of 71.56 percent.

To succeed in passing the CHES exam, students must display extensive knowledge in the seven areas of responsibility expected of health education specialists: assessment needs, planning of programs, program implementation, evaluation of programs, program administration, acting as a resource and communications and advocacy.

Though the exam is not required for public health professionals, the Institute encourages FAMU students and graduates to take the exam to gain advantages in the competitive job market.

Ivette Lopez, assistant professor of behavioral science and health education, said students and graduates of the Institute of Public Health often opt to take the exam because they want to position themselves to attain the nation’s top job offerings.

“Our students are ambitious,” Lopez said. “They always want to do the best they can, and always want do a little extra.”

Institute of Public Health Director Cynthia M. Harris said the faculty and staff play an integral role in the success of graduates taking the exam and their transition into their chosen career paths. She explained that the Institute’s professors and advisers work tirelessly throughout the academic year to help prepare students for the exam by hosting test preparation workshops and implementing competency-based instruction.

Harris not only credits the quality faculty and staff for the consistent achievements of the Institute of Public Health, but also acknowledges the hard-working students who continually strive for excellence.

“We are very pleased with the student performance,” Harris said.  “They’ve had really prestigious internships where individuals specifically request that students come from FAMU. We’re very proud of them.”