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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences:
MS in Health Education and Promotion

The MS in Health Education and Promotion program is designed to provide students with a global perspective on the role of health education and promotion. Students will explore health behavior theories, models, and practices to support healthy behaviors of the individual and community member’s social and physical environments. Students gain a solid foundation in the health education field by learning strategies to effectively communicate and assess, plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs in a variety of health related settings. Designed to reflect the Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), coursework includes research in essential health education and promotion principles involving grant writing, health communication, fitness, wellness, social sciences, behavior change theory, global trends, needs assessments, and current health initiatives. Graduates of the program will excel serving as resource persons and advocates for clients in the discipline of health education and promotion. Upon completion of the MS in Health Education and Promotion, students will be prepared to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exams.

Note on Certification

The MS in Health Education and Promotion has been designed to reflect the Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and to prepare students to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exams. Walden enrollment specialists can provide information relating to national certification exams; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she resides. Additionally, prospective students are advised if they choose to relocate to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain national certification. For more information about the CHES and MCHES exams, students should visit http://www.nchec.org.

Learning Outcomes

 Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

  1. Examine historic milestones, current challenges, and future trends related to health and health education.
  2. Analyze biological, social, political, cultural, environmental, and/or behavioral factors that impact individual and population health.
  3. Assess community needs and capacity for health education.
  4. Develop culturally-tailored health education programs and communication using health behavior theories and models.
  5. Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs, communication, and research.
  6. Apply key leadership concepts and skills to effectively administer health education programs and services.
  7. Utilize best practices of health communication to promote and advocate for individual and population health.
  8. Apply research principles and methods to address 21st-century health challenges.

Degree Requirements

  • 50 total quarter credits
  • Foundation courses (5 credits)
  • Core courses (35 credits)
  • Elective course (5 credits)
  • Capstone course (5 credits)

Curriculum

Foundation Course (5 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Core Courses (35 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Elective Course (5 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

* Students can request via Student Success Advising to change this elective course, or students can opt to add a focus area.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

HLTH 6005 - Perspectives on Health and the Developing Professional

5 credits
Quarter 2

HLTH 6110 - Exploring Health Education in the 21st Century

5 credits

HLTH 6246 - Introduction to Research in Health Education and Health Promotion

5 credits
Quarter 3

HLTH 6038 - Health Behavior Theory

5 credits

HLTH 6205 - Assessing Community Needs for Health Education

5 credits
Quarter 4

HLTH 6475 - Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

5 credits

HLTH 6412 - Health Education and Communication Strategies

5 credits
Quarter 5

HLTH 6031 - Public Health Administration and Leadership

5 credits

HLTH 6207 - Grant Writing

 OR 

HLTH 6362 - Sexual Health and Well-Being

5 credits
Quarter 6

HLTH 6800 - Health Education and Promotion Capstone

5 credits

Focus Areas (not currently accepting new students)

These previous MS in Health Education and Promotion focus ares are no longer accepting new students. Current students in these focus areas must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.

Course Sequence with Focus Areas

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1

HLTH 6005 - Perspectives on Health and the Developing Professional

5 credits
Quarter 2

HLTH 6110 - Exploring Health Education in the 21st Century

5 credits

HLTH 6038 - Health Behavior Theory

5 credits
Quarter 3

HLTH 6205 - Assessing Community Needs for Health Education

5 credits

HLTH 6475 - Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

5 credits
Quarter 4

HLTH 6412 - Health Education and Communication Strategies

5 credits

HLTH 6246 - Introduction to Research in Health Education and Health Promotion

5 credits
Quarter 5

HLTH 6031 - Public Health Administration and Leadership

5 credits

HLTH 6207 - Grant Writing

 OR 

HLTH 6362 - Sexual Health and Well-Being

 OR Focus Area Course 1
5 credits
Quarter 6

HLTH 6800 - Health Education and Promotion Capstone

5 credits
Focus Area Course 2 5 credits
Quarter 7 Focus Area Course 3 5 credits