Health Education
    Duration2 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 39,466 / Year
    Next IntakeAugust 21, 2023
    Health Education

    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.

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    Program Coordinator: Ryan Martin (3105 Carol Belk Building; 252-737-1939; [email protected])

    The Health Education, MA 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.

                Requirements

                Entry Requirements

                In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

                • Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
                • Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
                • Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation

                An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

                • Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
                • Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
                  • Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
                • ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
                • Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
                • Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
                • Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
                • Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
                • Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

                English Requirements

                • PTEMin 65
                • IELTSMin 6.5
                • TOEFLMin 78

                Career

                Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

                • Public Health Education and Promotion
                • Health Specialties Teacher, Postsecondary
                • Education and Training

                Career Opportunities

                ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

                NC Tower

                This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

                • Self-employed;
                • Work for the federal government, including the military: or
                • Work outside of North Carolina.

                US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

                This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

                Degree-specific internships

                For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

                Fee Information

                Application Fee 75

                How to Apply

                Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

                Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

                Ready to apply now? Great!

                • If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
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                Health Education
                East Carolina University
                East Carolina University
                United States of America

                United States of America, Greenville

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