Health Education (MS)

http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/programs/health-ed.page?

Health Education Program information  

The Master of Science Health Education program makes an advanced degree possible for those students already working in the field, as well as students who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in health education or a related field. This program offers instruction in health behavior change theory and practice; program planning; marketing; health communications and program evaluation; and research techniques.

The Master of Science in Health Education is designed to accommodate both part-time and full-time students and working health professionals by offering evening courses. Full-time students are able to complete the program within 18 months.

Master’s level health educators have employment opportunities in a variety of professional settings. These include worksite health promotion programs, non-profit community health agencies, university student health centers, state and local health departments, for-profit corporations, governmental agencies, faith-based settings, and health care systems such as hospitals, clinics, and managed care plans. There is a wide range of jobs filled by graduates. Examples include director of a corporate wellness program, health educator for an AIDS Prevention program, or a researcher on a disease management or prevention program.

Necessary skills for health educators include the assessment of community assets and needs, cultural competence to assure effective health intervention strategies for diverse populations, and the ability to interact effectively with the community. Typical responsibilities of a health educator include the preparation and dissemination of health education materials, coordination and management of health education programs, and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education programs.

This program is designed to provide students with the required competencies needed to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

Admission Requirements

An application packet may be requested from the Office of Graduate Programs or from http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms. Admission decisions are made by a committee upon review of the following:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
2. Minimum GPA of 3.0.
3. Written statement of purpose.
4. Prerequisite courses.
5. GRE scores (optional).
6. Three letters of recommendation (at least one must be academic).   
7. Completion of the prerequisites listed below.

Transfer Credits and Course Waivers

Up to six graduate credits may be transferred and applied to the program from either another accredited institution or taken as a Life Long Learning student at UM-Flint.  Additional credits will be reviewed for students on an individual basis. This flexibility offers students every opportunity to pursue their interests in health education.

Grade Requirements

For the grading scale, see the beginning of the “Graduate Study” section of this catalog.  Students must receive a minimum of B- in any course taken while in the MS in Health Education program. Any course with a grade lower than a B- must be re-taken for an acceptable grade the next semester in which it is offered, and can only be re-taken once. A final grade point average of at least 5.0 is required for successful completion of the MS in Health Education program.

Academic Rules and Regulations

See the School of Health Professions and Studies (SHPS)  and Graduate Study  sections of this Catalog for academic rules and regulations pertaining to graduate programs offered by the School.