Master of Science (M.S.) Major in Public Health Education and Promotion (Health Equity Non-thesis Concentration)

Program Overview

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Public Health Education and Promotion prepares students for advanced careers in community and public health education settings in one of the fastest growing career sectors in the U.S. Graduates can pursue employment in public health departments, state and federal health agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community health organizations working in areas including disease prevention, substance abuse prevention, adolescent health, and many other areas. Students are prepared to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

Application Requirements

The items listed below are required for admission consideration for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Submission instructions, additional details, and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website. International students should review the International Admission Documents webpage for additional requirements.

  • completed online application
  • $55 nonrefundable application fee

        or

  • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
  • official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
  • minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • statement of purpose (500 words, double-spaced, computer-generated) addressing the following:
    • Why public health education and promotion is an interest area for the applicant
    • How will the applicant use a graduate degree in Public Health Education and Promotion to reach career goals
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess the student’s ability to succeed in graduate school
  • Resume

Applicants should refer to the Graduate College website for additional information regarding the admission process.

TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores

Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Public Health Education and Promotion and concentration in Health Equity requires 36 semester credit hours.

Course Requirements

Required Courses
PH 5310History and Philosophy of Public Health Education and Promotion3
PH 5315Applied Behavioral Statistics in Public Health Education and Promotion3
PH 5321Advanced Health Behavior Theory3
PH 5346Research Methods in Public Health Education and Promotion3
PH 5350Advanced Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation3
Prescribed Public Health Electives
Choose 12 hours from the following:12
Environmental Health Issues
Current Issues in Public Health
Social Determinants of Health
Grant Proposal Writing in Public Health
Writing for Public Health Professionals
Foundations of Public Health
Ethical Principles in Public Health Education and Promotion
Health Disparities
Public Health Education and Promotion Leadership
Public Health Issues in Human Sexuality Education
Independent Study in Public Health Education and Promotion
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Internship in Public Health Education and Promotion
Applied Epidemiology
Global Public Health
Health Promotion in the Workplace
Prescribed Health Equity Concentration Electives
Choose 9 hours from the following:9
Diversity Studies: Theories & Issues
Global Issues in Diversity
Current Issues in Public Health
Social Determinants of Health
Ethical Principles in Public Health Education and Promotion
Health Disparities
Public Health Issues in Human Sexuality Education
Global Public Health
Seminar on the Sociology of Gender
Seminar in Sociology of Racial and Ethnic Relations
Seminar in Poverty
Images of Women
Realities of Women
Total Hours36

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

All students must complete a comprehensive examination during their last semester in the program. Students may choose to complete a written comprehensive examination or an oral comprehensive examination. The examination will cover content explored in the core PH courses in the major. Students must satisfactorily pass the comprehensive examination during their last semester in the program. If a student does not pass the examination, the student must retake the comprehensive examination during the next regular semester.  

Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.

Master's level courses in Public Health: PH

Courses Offered

Public Health (PH)

PH 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5301. Environmental Health Issues.

This course is an examination of the ecological impact on the environment resulting from contemporary sociopolitical action and its resulting influence on human health. Students will be guided to research and interpret evidence-based information on major current environmental issues facing local, national, and global communities.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5302. Current Issues in Public Health.

This course will investigate the contemporary issues impacting public health on the local and national levels. Particular attention will be paid to the goals and objectives of the U.S. Healthy People Initiative and the ten essential public health services. Topics will focus on emerging trends in morbidity and mortality as identified by public health governing institutions, while exploring historical and current perspectives on public health practice. Students will examine the impact of current issues on the roles and responsibilities of the Certified Health Education Specialist.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5303. Social Determinants of Health.

This course explores the social ecological conditions which impact health and quality of life among various communities. Public health impact of socioeconomic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context will be analyzed. The link between social determinants and the U.S. Healthy People Initiative will be examined.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5305. Grant Proposal Writing in Public Health.

This course provides the fundamentals of writing grant proposals in the social sciences. Instruction covers how to package a successful proposal from start to finish, including defining program objectives, selecting approaches and a plan, and preparing a program evaluation and budget.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5310. History and Philosophy of Public Health Education and Promotion.

This course is an intensive study of historical and philosophical contributions to public health education and promotion program development. Current political issues, public health issues, and influential cultural changes are examined. Focus is placed on developing a professional philosophy of practice in public health education and promotion practice.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5312. Writing for Public Health Professionals.

This course provides a systematic approach to improve technical and professional writing skills. Specifically, theory-based methods for establishing a productive writing habit, generating and editing text, and self-identifying and self-correcting writing problems are presented. Writing for and application of public health research are emphasized.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5315. Applied Behavioral Statistics in Public Health Education and Promotion.

This course focuses on the study of introductory and intermediate statistics and procedures commonly used in public health education and promotion. Emphasis will be placed on application of statistical models, analysis software, and interpretation of findings.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5320. Foundations of Public Health.

This course is an in-depth study of past and current public health programs. The course focuses on the examination of public health programs, policies, and systems that have impacted health status in different populations. A collection of current case-studies will be examined.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5321. Advanced Health Behavior Theory.

This course focuses on the presentation and critical analysis of the role of theory in health behavior, the description of different theories being utilized in health research and interventions, and the application of these theories to interventions and research.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5325. Ethical Principles in Public Health Education and Promotion.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of ethical standards, principles, and behaviors related to the field of public health education and promotion. Students will explore how to apply, monitor, and model ethical standards in the profession.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5330A. Health Disparities.

This course explores social determinants of health and health disparities in the U.S. and globally. Students explore past and existing public health initiatives to address health disparities in various U.S. communities.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5335. Public Health Education and Promotion Leadership.

This course covers structured experiences for developing administrative leadership for public health education and promotion programs. Included are leadership philosophy, staffing, programming, budgeting, public relations, facilities, and evaluations.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5345. Public Health Issues in Human Sexuality Education.

This course provides for in depth study of sexuality education as a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming healthy attitudes, beliefs, and values regarding sexuality. Students analyze information and educational resources for implementing and advocating for sexuality instruction through health courses, sexuality education courses, and programs.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5346. Research Methods in Public Health Education and Promotion.

This course focuses on research models used in public health education and promotion. Students learn how to design research studies using accepted research methods in the social sciences. In addition, students write the introduction, literature review, and methods sections commonly accepted in public health research.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5347. Independent Study in Public Health Education and Promotion.

This course allows for independent study of one or more problems in public health education and promotion that hold special interest for a student or offers opportunity for professional improvement and growth. Open on an individual basis by special arrangement with the Program Coordinator. Repeatable once with a different emphasis. Prerequisites: Instructor approval.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5348. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

This course provides an overview of the etiology of communicable and noncommunicable diseases with special emphasis on public health initiatives and health promotion activities which reduce the incidence and burdens of disease in both individuals and communities.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5350. Advanced Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation.

Students examine social ecological influences on population health in the context of public health program development. Students explore the use of epidemiological data to assist in developing health education and health promotion programs. Concepts include needs assessment, strategy selection, coalition development, implementation plans, and evaluation approaches.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5360. Internship in Public Health Education and Promotion.

This 240-hour internship provides students with professionally related experience. Students may work with diverse target audiences in public health settings. Internship is approved and supervised by Program Coordinator or assigned faculty. Prerequisites: Instructor approval.

3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5370. Applied Epidemiology.

Applied epidemiology is the science of tracking diseases and disease determinants in populations. Students will explore principles of epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as methods of disease and behavior surveillance. This course highlights the use of surveillance data to develop public health interventions and prevention programs.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5374. Global Public Health.

This advanced course focuses on principles of international health with global populations. Emphasis is placed on assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention strategies. Students explore roles of health educators collaborating with providers of health services to diverse populations. Prerequisites: Instructor approval.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5376. Health Promotion in the Workplace.

In this course, students will learn the standard approaches of developing and implementing evidence-based workplace health promotion programs. The course will focus on practical methods for needs assessment, intervention development, and program evaluation in various workplace settings.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PH 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student's initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the student has completed the thesis in PH 5399B. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

5 Credit Hours. 5 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PH 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), progress (PR), no-credit (F) basis.

9 Credit Hours. 9 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit