About

The Master of Arts (MA) in health education program at East Carolina University provides academic training for individuals employed or planning to seek employment as health educators in academic, clinical, community or corporate settings. Program graduates are prepared to use social and behavioral theories and models to design, implement and evaluate interventions aimed at improving community and population health.

Health education is a growing field that is expected to continue to provide favorable employment opportunities.The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that overall employment of health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven by efforts to improve health outcomes and to reduce health care costs by teaching people healthy behaviors and explaining how to use available health care services.

Students who successfully complete the MA in health education program are eligible and may apply to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credentialing exam. CHES certification indicates professional competency in the discipline as well as dedication to professional development.

ECU Advantage

The MA in health education is offered completely online from an accredited university. Students in this program are afforded the freedom to continue working as professionals in the field (or closely related discipline) while pursuing a graduate degree to expand their skillset. Classes are enhanced with creative teaching strategies and technologies to allow online students similar teacher-student interactions and student-student interactions to what they would experience in a face-to-face environment.

Our award-winning faculty train leaders to intervene in a variety of health issues. Practical experiences, research opportunities and instructional learning aid in developing leaders in the field of health education. Students are able to integrate ethical principles, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic issues into effective prevention strategies to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Ryan Martin (3105 Carol G. Belk Building; 252-737-1939; martinry@ecu.edu​)

The Health Education, MA is an online/distance education program which provides advanced academic training for individuals employed or planning to seek employment as health educators in academic, clinical, community, and corporate settings. Undergraduate training in health education or the social and biological sciences is preferred. Applicants with undergraduate preparation deficient in these areas may be required to remove such deficiencies through supplemental course work as designated by the department's graduate faculty.

All students complete the required core courses and select from one of three options: thesis, internship, or course work. Students select electives in consultation with their advisor.

The degree requires 30 s.h. as follows: 

1. Core courses - 18 s.h.
  • HLTH 6001 - Foundations of Health Education and Promotion
  • HLTH 6011 - Introduction to Epidemiology
  • HLTH 6101 - Research Methods in Health Education
  • HLTH 6110 - Intervention Strategies for Health Education and Promotion
  • HLTH 6600 - Needs Assessment in Health Education and Promotion
  • HLTH 6650 - Evaluation of Health Education and Promotion Programs
2. Options - 12 s.h.

(Choose one of the following options.)

    a. Course work option (12 s.h.)
      Guided electives - 12 s.h.
        Note:

        The student completes a comprehensive examination covering both core and research skills courses. The graduate advisor selects the committee to examine the student.

        b. Internship option (12 s.h.)
        • HLTH 6990 - Internship in Health Education (3 s.h.)
        • HLTH 6991 - Internship in Health Education (3 s.h.)
          • Guided electives - 6 s.h.
            Note:

            The student completes a 240-hour internship experience and writes an internship report. The student also completes a comprehensive examination covering both core and research skills courses. The graduate advisor selects the committee to examine the student.

            c. Thesis option (12 s.h.)
            • HLTH 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
              • Guided elective - 3 s.h.
                Research skills - 3 s.h.
                • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
                Note:

                The student writes and orally defends a thesis. The thesis proposal must be approved by the student’s advisor and a committee that comprises three health education and promotion faculty and an outside reviewer.

              For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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