View our MS in Health Education and Promotion online completion requirements
- 50 quarter credits
- Foundation courses (5 cr.)
- Core courses (35 cr.)
- Elective course (5 cr.)
- Capstone course (5 cr.)
Certification Preparation
Coursework in this MS in Health Education and Promotion online program prepares you to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) exams.
Focus on Your Passion
Walden’s program is one of the few online programs dedicated exclusively to health education and promotion.
JOB-READY SKILLS
Our curriculum aligns with standards outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).
Drive Positive Change
Be a voice and advocate for underserved populations. Help people of all ages take charge of their health and prevent disease.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Our master’s in health education and promotion online program explores the many socioeconomic factors that affect individual and population health. Gain the skills to assess community needs and apply best practices to advance positive health behaviors.
Featured Master’s in Health Promotion Online Courses
Health Education and Communication Strategies
Effective communication plays a vital role in the diffusion of a health behavior or innovation. This course is designed to introduce the health educator to a wide range of health communication strategies. Assignments allow students to apply and evaluate the use of health education delivery methods for various populations and practice settings (i.e., community, clinical, worksite, global, schools). Principles and theories of health communication and behavior change are applied to a variety of health education case studies. Students also demonstrate how to design and communicate culturally tailored health information to an audience of their choice. They explore the use of emerging technologies and social media in delivering and promoting health education.
Health Behavior Theory
This course introduces students to concepts necessary to promote positive health behavior change by examining the most commonly used theories and models in public health and health education and promotion. Coursework focuses on the identification and application of theories and models to promote and design effective health behavior programs and interventions. Individual, interpersonal, and community theories and models will be explored to determine the most appropriate application.
Public Health Administration and Leadership
Students in this course acquire the foundational understanding of the administrative, managerial, and organizational practices of public health and healthcare delivery systems. Students examine theories of leadership as well as the professional attributes, skills, styles, and strategies required to advance public health goals. They engage in a variety of contextual and practical assignments focused on management theories, policy processes, systems thinking, strategic planning and partnerships, quality and performance improvement, leadership, and organizational behavior. Students also consider the impact of global trends on public health practice, policy, and systems.
Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
The focus of this course is on the competencies required of the public health professional in planning for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of community health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. Attention is given to needs assessment, logic models, and collaboration with stakeholders. Strategic approaches to planning, implementation, and evaluation with particular attention to study design and sampling are addressed. Health behavior theories are considered in the development of health promotion programs, the application of evaluation findings, and prioritization of community concerns and resources.
Assessing Community Needs for Health Education
It is important for health educators and other health professionals to understand the unique characteristics and health needs of a community in order to provide effective and relevant health education and services. Students in this course are introduced to the principles and processes of needs assessment and community capacity-building as a first step in the program planning process. Students learn about individual, small-group, and community-based assessments as well as quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students directly apply what they are reading and discussing in class to their own communities by conducting an assessment unique to their community. Other topics covered include use of primary and secondary data; selection and development of instrumentation to collect community data; interpretation and analysis of data; and prioritization of health education needs. Community mapping tools and other technology used in the assessment process are also explored.
Admissions
Work directly with an Enrollment Specialist who will guide you through every step—from finding the right degree program to exploring ways to fund your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Pursuing your master’s in health education and promotion online degree is an important step in your academic and professional journey. To help you reach your goals, we’ve simplified the application process to include:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
View Admission Criteria
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor'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.
Tuition Breakdown
We know cost is a factor when you’re deciding where to earn your MS in Health Education and Promotion online degree. Walden gives you multiple ways to reduce your tuition costs, including:
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Partnership-based savings
Federal and state grants
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 50 quarter credit hours | $525 per quarter hour | $26,250 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,080 |
$27,330** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,250 | ||
*Represents the General Program, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 25 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Enhance Your Potential
Earning a master's in health education and promotion online can prepare you to work with people of all backgrounds in a variety of settings.
Career Opportunities
Steady Job Growth
Medical and Health Service Managers
Coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, public health agencies, and other organizations.
Expected growth: 29%1
Estimated annual wage: $67,900–$157,6401
Help Foster Well-Being
Education Specialists
Develop instruction and strategies to improve the well-being of individuals and communities.
Expected growth: 7%2
Estimated annual wage: $39,630–$83,8002
Build Community Health
Health Workers
Promote wellness; implement programs and advocate for people with limited access to health resources.
Expected growth: 13%3
Estimated annual wage: $35,560–$60,7403
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 MS in Health Education and Promotion program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Walden’s online MS in Health Education and Promotion will be prepared to:
Examine historic milestones, current challenges, and future trends related to health and health education.
Analyze biological, social, political, cultural, environmental, and behavioral factors that impact individual and population health.
Assess community needs and capacity for health education.
Develop culturally tailored health education programs and communication using health behavior theories and models.
Evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs, communication, and research.
Apply key leadership concepts and skills to effectively administer health education programs and services.
Utilize best practices of health communication to promote and advocate for individual and population health.
Apply research principles and methods to address 21st-century health challenges.
Meet Your Academic Team
Walden’s MS in Health Education and Promotion online faculty includes active scholar-practitioners who are dedicated to your success.
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MS in Health Education and Promotion Online FAQ
What is health education and promotion?
Health education and promotion is the bridge between what experts learn about health and safety and how we use that knowledge as a society. Health educators and others in the field are skilled at analyzing the biological, social, political, cultural, environmental, and behavioral factors that impact individual and population health. And they’re skilled at using that health data to assess a given community’s need for health education (i.e., determining gaps in public knowledge); develop plans, programs, and other ways to implement health education and policy; determine the right communication strategies for informing populations of specific health risks/solutions; and evaluate the effectiveness of health programs and policy, with the intent of improving them where needed. While no one person within the health education and promotion field does all of this, the field as a whole provides a wide range of services.
Is there any difference between health promotion and health education?
Yes, the two areas emphasize different aspects of communication around health and well-being. Health education focuses on informing individuals about health issues and healthy lifestyles. Health promotion involves understanding psychological and social factors that influence health and advocating for healthier lifestyles—not only through information and education, but also through advocacy and policy change.
While you may consider a master’s in health education or a master’s in health promotion, Walden University’s MS in Health Education and Promotion online is designed to help you build diverse skills in both education and advocacy. Walden’s program empowers you to make changes in a community's health by sharing knowledge and designing effective health education programs. It also helps you build leadership skills so that you can advocate for changes in lifestyle, behaviors, physical environment, and policies.
In what settings do health education and promotion graduates work?
Given the multiple ways that the health education and promotion field can impact the lives of communities, it should be no surprise that health educators and other health education and promotion professionals work in a variety of settings.
Jobs in public health and education can be found within community health agencies, state and local health departments, schools and universities, businesses and corporations, faith-based organizations, hospitals and clinics, and nonprofit organizations, including those focused on global health education programs. In addition to serving as health educators for specific organizations and populations, common responsibilities for those in the health education and promotion field include preparing for and responding to emergencies, designing and advocating for health-related policy, writing grants, leading public health departments and nonprofits, and using social entrepreneurship to enact social change and improve the health of at-risk communities.
What courses might you take in a master’s in health education and promotion program?
Candidates who earn their master’s degree in health education and promotion benefit from in-depth and research-based courses. In Walden University’s MS in Health Education and Promotion online program, you will take courses such as:
- Exploring Health Education in the 21st Century
- Health Behavior Theory
- Public Health Administration and Leadership
- Grant Writing
- Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
What is CHES certification and why is it important?
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 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. To apply to take the exam, you must meet certain academic requirements, as well as submit official transcripts indicating a major in health education and completion of at least 25 semester hours of work addressing the Areas of Responsibility and Competency for Health Education Specialists.1
1Source: www.nchec.org/ches-exam-eligibility