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PhD in Health Education and Promotion
Request InformationHelp groups and individuals lead healthier lifestyles or conduct research in an area that will benefit health globally with the expertise gained in our PhD in Health Education and Promotion program.
Next start dates
- Course-Based Courses with a set schedule February 28, 2022
Transfer Credits
- Up to 40 Credits
Develop and lead programs that can help people live longer, healthier lives.
In recent years, public, professional, governmental, and medical groups have increasingly come to recognize the need for more health and wellness promotion initiatives, as the majority of adults do not meet the minimum recommendations to eat healthfully, exercise more, and make behavioral changes that can reduce disease and prolong their lives. With the focus of healthcare shifting toward preventive care and education, the demand for qualified health educators is projected to rise 13% by 2029.1 Now is the time for you to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to plan, implement, and evaluate prevention programs and services. With an online PhD in Health Education and Promotion degree, you can help groups and individuals lead healthier lifestyles or conduct research in an area that will help make the world a healthier place.
Why earn your PhD in Health Education and Promotion From Walden?
As one of a small number of online doctoral programs that is fully dedicated to this topic, our health education and promotion degree program explores both individual and population health, focusing on health behavior theory and techniques for changing behaviors. Using the latest technology, you will review case studies that touch on current trends and research and explore best practices from a global perspective.
Additionally, this online degree program can help prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam.
Program Savings
Receive up to a $5,000 Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on February 28, 2022. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowBehavioral Health
A PhD in Health Education and Promotion with a specialization in behavioral health can help you better understand and address the many factors and influences on health and well-being.
Global Health
Gain the knowledge and global perspective necessary to address the impact of emerging infectious disease, poverty, human rights issues, climate change, or population growth.
Management and Leadership
Prepare to become an effective, ethical, and energizing leader in the local, national, or global healthcare promotion arena.
Online Teaching in Higher Education
Through specialized coursework, you can gain insight into the needs of adult learners, explore principles of online instruction, learn best practices for reaching diverse student populations, and examine the latest technologies impacting online learning.
Population Health
Explore a wide range of factors that influence health including psychology, public health, genetics, medical care, behavior, education level, social status, and the environment.
Research
This specialization is geared to students who want to concentrate on research in the field of health education and promotion.
Choose the Path That Is Right for You
We have a path to success for every level in your career.
- TRACK I is ideal if you have a master's degree in health education and promotion.
- TRACK II is designed for students who have a Master of Public Health.
- TRACK III is ideal if you hold a master’s degree in an academic discipline other than the public health field.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A master's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
More information for international applicants.
At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field?
Learn more
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your PhD in Health Education and Promotion requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and Track Milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.
- Meet Weekly Targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect With Faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access Helpful Resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Career Outlook
The health education profession is dedicated to excellence in the practice of promoting individual, family, organizational, and community health.
In light of initiatives such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 and its goal to “increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based programs designed to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life,” the demand for skilled health education specialists is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field has a 11% anticipated growth in employment through 2029.2
The PhD in Health Education and Promotion program can help prepare you to advance in the field, working as a health educator in academic, clinical, community, or corporate settings.
Health educators work to promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. They do this by:
- Assessing needs
- Planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs
- Coordinating health education services
- Serving as resource people
- Advocating for specific health issues
A PhD in Health Education and Promotion can help you gain the skills and experience to work within a wide range of settings to promote healthy lifestyles. These settings include, but are not limited to:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community health agencies
- State and local health departments
- Schools and universities
- Businesses and corporations
- Faith-based organizations
- Hospitals and clinics
Doctoral-level health education specialists may also serve as consultants, teach at the college or university level, or work as researchers.
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this program.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be prepared to:
- Evaluate the factors that impact individual and population health.
- Synthesize assessment results to identify and prioritize health problems.
- Engage in collaborative planning of health interventions.
- Apply knowledge that results in successful implementation and monitoring of health promotion and disease prevention interventions.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of health promotion and disease prevention interventions
- Conduct original health education-related research.
- Demonstrate ethical behavior as a health education scholar-practitioner.
- Facilitate efforts among stakeholders to achieve common goals related to individual and community health.
- Apply health education principles, theories, and models to create professional communication and establish positive public relations.
- Use evidence-based research to advocate for policies and programs that promote positive social change related to the health of individuals and communities.
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FAQ About Walden’s Online PhD in Health Education and Promotion
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When it comes to finding the best online academic institution for you, reputation is key. Walden University is a pioneer of distance learning and has been supporting the educational needs of working professionals for more than 50 years. Accreditation should also be key in your decision-making. Attending an accredited university means you can be confident that your chosen degree program has passed the intense scrutiny and high standards of an independent accreditation organization. Walden University participates in a thorough recertification process every 10 years with The Higher Learning Commission, an independent accreditation corporation founded in 1895. Lastly, you’ll want to choose a program that helps pave the way to any state licensing or certification you need. Walden’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program can prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam.
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When you choose to earn your PhD in Health Education and Promotion online, you’ll find a number of benefits that traditional classroom programs don’t readily offer. For instance, Walden’s global campus allows you to see your profession on an international scale through the eyes of classmates who may be from other parts of the world. With online health education degree programs, you can also access your coursework from anywhere and at any time. This level of flexibility makes it possible to complete your degree as you continue working full time. You’ll also benefit from asynchronous discussions with classmates, a suite of online student support services, and much more.
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As laid out by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, health educators have seven primary responsibilities.1 Those are as follows:
- Assess needs, resources, and capacity for health education/promotion
- Plan health education/promotion
- Implement health education/promotion
- Conduct evaluation and research related to health education/promotion
- Administer and manage health education/promotion
- Serve as a health education/promotion resource person
- Communicate, promote, and advocate for health, health education/promotion, and the profession
1Source: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Education Specialists, on the internet at www.nchec.org/responsibilities-and-competencies.
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Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification establishes a national standard for members of the profession and shows prospective employers that an individual is proficient in certain knowledge and skills. Earning your CHES certification not only unlocks the opportunity to further your career and earning potential, but also enables you to become a part of a global movement to positively impact world health. To become certified, you must pass an exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc.1 If you want to apply to take the exam, you must meet certain academic requirements and submit official transcripts indicating a major in health education and completion of at least 25 semester hours of work addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility and Competency for Health Education Specialists.1
1Source: www.nchec.org/exam-eligibility-guide
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When you earn your PhD in Health Education and Promotion from Walden, you’ll benefit from courses that help you better understand the needs of those you will be serving in your role, best practices for developing your research skills, how to drive social change, and much more. In Walden University’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program, you’ll take courses such as:
- Assessing Community Needs for Health Education
- Building a Multidisciplinary Approach to Health
- Research Theory, Design, and Methods
While these courses will help you prepare for a career as a public health educator, you will also be able to choose a specialization to obtain additional knowledge and skills aligned with your career goals. Walden’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program offers specializations in Global Health, Research, Behavioral Health, Management and Leadership, Online Teaching in Higher Education, and Population Health.
Questions about our PhD in Health Education and Promotion?
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