Program of Study

Before the first semester, students will meet with their adviser to map out their program of study.  In addition to specifying coursework in the various categories, the program of study includes projected dates (semesters) for documenting completion of the CHES examination requirement, and a projected month and year for graduation. The dates may change, but the student and adviser begin work with a projected calendar. If changes are made to the plan of study, the advisor must approve the changes and note those changes on the original program of study planning sheet in the student’s academic file.

Click here to download the HEB MS Program of Study form.

Required Core Coursework (15 credits)

• HSC 6037 (3 credits): Philosophy & Principles of Health Education
• HSC 6318 (3 credits): Planning Health Education Programs
• PHC 6001 (3 credits): Epidemiology
• HSC 6603 (3 credits): Theories of Health Behavior & Practice
• HSC 6712 (3 credits): Evaluating Health Education Programs

Elective Coursework (15 credits)

Tier I (complete a minimum of 6 credits from among these courses)

• HSC 5956 (3 credits): Writing for Professional Publications
• HSC 6637 (3 credits): Social Marketing & Health
• HSC 6665 (3 credits): Health Communications
• HSC 6735 (3 credits): Research Methods in Health Education

Tier II (complete a minimum of 9 credits from among these courses)

• HSC 5135 (3 credits): Emotional Health Education
• HSC 5138 (3 credits): Human Sexuality Education
• HSC 5142 (3 credits): Drug Education
• HSC 5536 (3 credits): Medical Terminology for the Health Professions
• HSC 5576 (3 credits): Nutrition Education for Special Populations
• HSC 5618 (3 credits): Adv Exercise Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity & Health
• HSC 5925 (3 credits): Determinants of Obesity
• HSC 6235 (3 credits): Patient Health Education
• HSC 6575 (3 credits): Women’s Health Issues
• HSC 6595 (3 credits): HIV/AIDS Education
• HSC 6629 (3 credits): Health Promotion Programs for Priority Populations
• HSC 6646 (3 credits): Community Injury Prevention & Control
• HSC 6695 (3 credits): Worksite Health Promotion
• HSC 6935 (3 credits): Current Topics in Health Education
• HSC 6850 (credits vary): Internship in Health Education (1-3; max 3)
• HSC 6904 (credits vary): Readings in Health Education (1-3; max 3)
• HSC 6905 (credits vary): Independent Study in Health Education (1-3; max 3)
• HSC 6910 (credits vary): Supervised Research (1-3; max 3)
• HSC 6940 (credits vary): Supervised Teaching (1-3; max 3)

Note: 1000-4000 level courses within the department and 1000-2000 level courses outside the department are not eligible to count toward the graduate degree requirements.  You must obtain approval from your adviser before registering for any 1000-4000 level courses.

Transfer of Credit

Masters students can request to transfer up to 9 credits of previous health education graduate coursework, or 12 credits from an approved combined degree program (no more than 7 years old) toward requirements for the M.S. degree. Only graduate lecture coursework with grades of B or higher may be considered for transfer (no supervised reading, independent study, supervised teaching, supervised research, internship, thesis credit, etc.).

Certified Health Education Specialist Examination (CHES)

During the final semester of their programs, students must provide the Graduate Program Coordinator with documentation which confirms that the student has registered to complete the CHES examination.  Students who plan to graduate during the summer must sit for the April exam.  Students must visit the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing website to determine dates, locations, and registration procedures for the CHES examination. Students cover registration charges and any other costs related to completing the examination.