How will you use your doctorate to impact lives and communities? Deepen your knowledge in a specific subject area by choosing a PhD in Health Education and Promotion online specialization that matches your interests and career goals.
CHOOSE FROM TWO PATHS
Select one of two PhD in Health Education and Promotion program completion options, depending on your master’s-level preparation.
PREPARE FOR CERTIFICATION
This program can prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
DRIVE CRITICAL SOCIAL CHANGE
Gain the skills to drive positive changes in human health through advanced practice, research, leadership, or teaching.
Streamlined Application
Walden has simplified the online PhD Health Education and Promotion admissions process. When you’re ready to apply, you’ll pay no application fee—and you won’t have to write an essay.
Simple Credit Transfer
We’ve made the credit transfer process easy, allowing you to potentially save time and money. Talk to an Enrollment Specialist to learn the specific guidelines for our online PhD in Health Education and Promotion.
Two Program Tracks
Choose one of two PhD in Health Education and Promotion online program tracks depending on where you are in your education journey.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
The path to your online doctoral program won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every stage of your journey.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
Get help choosing a doctoral research topic that reflects your interests. Learn how you can use the findings to create meaningful change.
ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES
Broaden your knowledge, engage with peers and faculty, and shape your professional identity during this valuable doctoral learning experience.
Career Opportunities
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach community health and public health courses in universities and colleges.
Expected growth: 19%1
Estimated annual wage: $52,300–$172,990 1
Medical and Health Services Manager
Plan and direct health services in public health agencies, hospitals, or similar organizations.
Expected growth: 29%2
Estimated annual wage: $67,900–$157,6402
Community Health Worker
Promote wellness, implement programs, and advocate for people with limited access to resources.
Expected growth: 13%3
Estimated annual wage: $35,560–$60,740 3
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
3Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the PhD in Nursing program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
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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PhD in Health Education and Promotion FAQ
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 a factor in your decision-making. Attending an accredited university means you can be confident that the university has passed the intense scrutiny and high standards of an independent accreditation organization. Walden University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1990 and participates in a thorough recertification process every 10 years. In 2023, Walden’s institutional accreditation was reaffirmed by HLC.
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 online program can prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam.
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 virtual “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.
As laid out by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, health educators have eight 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.
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 Eight Areas of Responsibility and Competency for Health Education Specialists.1
1Source: www.nchec.org/exam-eligibility-guide
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
You can also choose a specialization to obtain additional knowledge and skills aligned with your professional 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.