• This program is offered online.

  • Master of Science in Health Education

    Thanks in part to the soaring cost of medical treatment, the focus of America’s health care system is shifting to the prevention of illness and injury and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.*  

    Health educators help solve community health issues by designing and implementing educational programs that promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors. The health educator collects and analyzes data to identify community needs as well as plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate health education programs that focus on individual and social health issues such as teen pregnancy, HIV prevention, and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. These may include grant writing, resource evaluations, referrals, social marketing and media, community organizing, developing training methods and materials, and publishing.†  

    Kaplan University’s program aligns with the competencies published by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES). As a master’s-level graduate, you may be eligible to sit for both exams.‡ 

    Master of Science in Health Education Program Highlights

    The Kaplan University master’s degree in health education could prepare you to seek leadership and management positions in governmental, nonprofit, and private organizations.§ The program is designed to help you:

    • Identify major concepts, theories, issues, and trends in health education and promotion
    • Develop and analyze health education programs using the proper concepts, principles, and methods
    • Design and critique research in health education programming
    • Gain an understanding of multicultural literacy in the field of health education and wellness
    • Support the professional standards outlined in the Health Education Code of Ethics

    What are the Career Opportunities?

    With a Master of Science in Health Education from Kaplan University, you could pursue a wide range of leadership and management positions in governmental, nonprofit, corporate, and academic settings. Typical responsibilities of a health educator may include preparation and distribution of materials; coordination and management of programs; and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education programs.† You may also have built a solid foundation for the further pursuit of academic degrees.# 

  • Kaplan University offers multiple start dates, giving you greater flexibility with your education, life, and work schedules.

    Jul 31

    Online Start Date
    Jul 31, 2013

    Oct 16

    Online Start Date
    Oct 16, 2013

    View the Academic Calendar

  • Curriculum: All Tracks

    Core

    ET 503: USING TECHNOLOGY—APPLICATIONS IN THE CONTENT AREAS (4 Credits)

    In this course, students explore a variety of current and emerging instructional technologies. Through course readings, class discussion, and hands-on experiences using various technologies, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to integrate technology effectively into lesson plans and instructional materials to meet the needs of diverse learners and satisfy the requirements of unique learning environments.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HA 515: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH CARE (4 Credits)

    This course explores organizational theory and behavior essential for successful leadership and management in the health care industry. Emphasis will be placed on communication techniques, self-analysis, and strategies for best practices in order to effectively implement key leadership and management concepts in dynamic health care environments. Key values that guide a leader's personal and professional behavior and influence overall effectiveness will be explored, as well as their impact on overall leadership styles.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HA 560: COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT (4 Credits)

    This course provides students with the skills needed to enhance (assess) the health of a community. Students focus on health behaviors, environmental influences, health policy, and economic and health care system issues in health promotion and disease prevention.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 505: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH EDUCATION (4 Credits)

    In this course, students are introduced to the field of health education, including an overview of the primary roles and responsibili¬ties of the health educator, which include needs assessment, planning, implementing, evaluating research, and administering and advocating health education. The competencies of a health educator will be studied, including assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors, collect and analyze data to identify community needs, and evaluate health education programs. Students will also learn how to serve as a resource person to individu¬als, other professionals, and the community. Students will also review the administration of fiscal resources for health education programs.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 510: CURRENT HEALTH ISSUES FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS (4 Credits)

    In this survey course, students study specific critical health topics including specific health conditions, disease prevention, older adults, fitness, complementary and alternative medicine, and more. Students will evaluate current health research and publications and relate the research to health education programs and interventions. Proven strategies and benefits of health education are empha¬sized.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 530: HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (4 Credits)

    This course provides the health education student with an understanding of the methods of human consumption, standards of living, personal health practices, and other key factors that influence the health of individuals and communities. The student will explore how food production, water use, climate change, population growth, and energy resources affect sustainability, the environment, and commu¬nity health. Needs assessment, planning, promoting, advocating, and evaluating health education in these topics will be reinforced.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 540: CURRENT TRENDS IN EXERCISE AND FITNESS FOR THE HEALTH EDUCATOR (4 Credits)

    In this course, students will critically appraise current emerging exercise and fitness practices that influence health and health education. Students will develop fitness goals and objectives for individuals and health education programs based on theory-based exercise strategies. Additional topics include fitness assessment, exercise prescription, program evaluation, and guidelines for exercise participation. Exercise prescription and modification for special populations will also be examined including older adults, individu¬als with disabilities, and prevalent health conditions.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 625: HEALTH EDUCATION DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND ADMINISTRATION (4 Credits)

    This course acquaints students with the components and essential design elements of comprehensive health education programming. Utilizing the seven areas of responsibilities for the health education specialist, students create programs for community, school, and private settings, learning to identify key constituents and the diversity of funding sources, both public and private. Instruments for measuring outcomes are analyzed for both short- and long-term programs, as well as the essential administrative tasks, functions, and responsi¬bilities required for successful results by the health educator.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    NS 600: ADVANCED NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS (4 Credits)

    This course includes methods and tools for nutritional analysis and nutritional recommen¬dations in health education. Nutrition across the life cycle will be examined and students will learn how to educate individuals and communities about current nutritional research and practices. Students will develop a Web-based nutrition health education project to demonstrate the communication of key nutrition information to targeted audiences.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    PU 515: PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS (4 Credits)

    Public health professionals collect and analyze data in order to solve health-based problems. Biostatistics is the application of such quantitative methods. In this course, students will study the use of probability, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and nonparametric tests as they pertain to health research. Students will study the fundamental concepts of biostatistics as it applies to peer-reviewed, public health publications.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    PU 520: PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY (4 Credits)

    This course introduces the epidemiologic methods, concepts, and issues that are critical for the assessment, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data. Students study advanced epidemiologic methods used in surveillance, outbreak investigation, screening, and epidemiologic measures, and apply these methods to relevant public health issues.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    PU 630: HEALTH EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on the role of health education and communication in the practice of health education and public health. The coursework will include the principles of successful health education, its basis in health behavioral theories, and methods of health education. The student will design a health education campaign using the modern and traditional methods of communication to deliver culturally appropriate, effective health education of public health importance.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    HD 599: MASTER’S CAPSTONE IN HEALTH EDUCATION (4 Credits)

    This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Master of Science in Health Education. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program in health education.

    Total Core Credits: 52
    Total Program Credits: 52

    Tuition & Fees: All Tracks

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    All Tracks Online &
    Learning Center     		Campus
    Cost Per Credit
    Number of Credits / Terms  
    Total Tuition Cost

    Tuition and Fees

    Some programs have additional associated fees that are not included in the price of tuition. Click here or check with an Admissions Advisor for more information. 

    Learn More about Kaplan University Tuition and Fees  

    Notice to Learning Center Students

    Kaplan University Learning Center students will only complete a portion of this program on site. You will need to complete at least 50% of the program requirements online, or through transfer credit awarded via prior learning assessment. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak with an admissions advisor.

    Scholarships and Grants

    Learn more about grants and Kaplan University Scholarships and that may help reduce the cost of your education.

    Kaplan University tuition reductions (including active-duty, spouse, and veterans military tuition rates; scholarships; grants; vouchers; and alumni and alliance reductions) cannot be combined. 

    Tuition Rates for Military Students and Spouses

    Kaplan University has significantly reduced many of our tuition rates and fees for active-duty servicemembers, their spouses, and veterans. Click here for more information.
     

  • * Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–2013 Edition, Health Educators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Health-educators.htm(accessed April 2012). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

    † Coalition of National Health Education Organizations, “What is a Health Education Specialist,” on the Internet at http://www.cnheo.org/PDF%20files/What%20is%20a%20Health%20Ed%20Specialist.pdf.

    ‡ Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams.

    § Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

    # While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs. 

Health Sciences

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