Students are encouraged to join professional and health-related organizations to enhance their academic experience, learn about trends in the discipline, and to take advantage of networking opportunities. Organizations exist at the state, national and international level.

Eta Sigma Gamma
Eta Sigma Gamma is a national honor society for health education. It has a rich history of serving students and the profession through teaching, service, and research. There are more than eighty chapters throughout the United States, including a chapter on the Adelphi University campus.


New York State Organizations

New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYS AHPERD)
NYS AHPERD is a professional organization composed primarily of those who teach health, physical education, recreation, and dance; agency, community, and worksite health professionals; youth coaches; and students who are interested in promoting health, physical education, recreation, and dance in the kindergarten through higher education settings in our communities throughout New York State. NYS AHPERD is the state representative of the National AHPERD organization.

New York Coalition for Health Education (NYSCHE)
The mission of NYSCHE is to enhance the health of New Yorkers by emphasizing the use of health education as a major strategy. NYSCHE enables health educators to speak with a stronger, more united voice for health education in local affairs. Members envision the Coalition as a way to address health education issues that seem to be everyone's business, but no one's responsibility.

Public Health Association of New York City (PHANYC)
For over 60 years, PHANYC has been working for improved health for the people of the City of New York. PHANYC is a catalyst—informing consumers and providers of health care about public health issues; advocating for improved public health measures and a more responsive and equitable health care system; and influencing public health policy. With membership of over 400 physicians, nurses, educators, health administrators, researchers, students, and health care consumers, PHANYC is one of the largest affiliates of the American Public Health Association.


National Organizations

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD is an alliance of six national associations and six district associations and is designed to provide members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills and so further the health and well-being of the American public.

American Association of Health Education (AAHE)
AAHE advances the profession while serving health educators and other professionals who strive to promote the health of all people. The organization takes a comprehensive approach which encourages, supports, and assists health professionals concerned with health promotion through education and other systematic strategies. In fulfilling the mission, AAHE serves professionals in the following settings: health care, community agency, business, school (K-12), and higher education.

American College Health Association (ACHA)
The ACHA is a national nonprofit organization serving and representing the interests of professionals and students in health and higher education. Its mission is to be the principal advocate and leadership organization for college and university health. The association provides advocacy, education, and services for its members to enhance their ability to improve the health of all students and the campus community.

American Public Health Association (APHA)
The APHA is the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world, representing more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health. The Association and its members have been influencing policies and setting priorities in public health since 1872.

American School Health Association (ASHA)
ASHA unites the many professionals working in schools who are committed to safeguarding the health of school-aged children. The Association, a multidisciplinary organization of administrators, counselors, dentists, health educators, physical educators, school nurses, and school physicians, advocates high-quality school health instruction, health services, and a healthful school environment.

Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education (ASTDHPPE)
The mission of the ASTDHPPE is to promote the quality practice of health education and health promotion as core disciplines of public health practice. ASTDHPPHE also advocates for quality health education/health promotion programs and strategies to address the nation's leading health problems.

Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE)
SOPHE is a national health education organization. It is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to public health education and health promotion. Its mission is to promote, encourage, and contribute to the advancement of health of all people through education.


International Organizations

International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE)
The IUHPE is the leading international non-governmental organization (NGO) of health promotion and health education. Its headquarters are based in Paris, France. IUHPE enjoys official status as a non-governmental organization with the World Health Organization (WHO). It closely collaborates with WHO in all matters covered by the mission statement of IUHPE.


Health-Related Organizations

American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
AASECT is devoted to the promotion of sexual health by the development and advancement of the fields of sex therapy, counseling, and education. The Association's mission is to provide professional education and certification of sex educators, counselors, and therapists, as well as individuals who supervise sex therapists in training. AASECT also encourages research related to sex education, counseling, and therapy, and supports the publication and dissemination of professional materials related to these fields.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
SIECUS is a national, nonprofit organization which affirms that sexuality is a natural and healthy part of living. Incorporated in 1964, SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices.