Health Education & Promotion (M.Ed.)

Health Education & Promotion (M.Ed.)
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Interested in a career in health and enjoy working with people?


The Master of Education (MEd) in Health Education and Promotion is a unique program offering the flexibility to choose between three concentration areas:

• Eating Disorders – leads to a variety of job opportunities as an eating disorders specialist.
• Health Promotion – option for students seeking job opportunities as a health education specialist. Can be completed entirely online.
• K–12 Certification – leads to endorsement for New Hampshire certification as a K-12 Health Education teacher. Can be completed entirely online.

Each concentration has specific enrollment requirements, and some require specific majors or prerequisites courses. Each program is different in its delivery of online, hybrid, face-to-face, intensive weekends, or in-class sessions. The nine credits of core MEd courses may be taken totally online or in a hybrid format.


Health Education and Promotion (HEP) is a pillar for the broader field of public health, which is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This master’s degree program prepares Health Education and Promotion specialists who may serve in a variety of roles calling for broad knowledge and leadership skills used to address health behavior change across all levels of the socio-ecological spectrum, from individual  knowledge, skills and attitudes to community-wide and regional population health, and environmental/policy change leadership.  Graduates will be qualified to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. This certification is widely recognized by clinical, corporate, academic and community employment Health Education and Promotion employment settings.

Optional specializations are available for students who desire specific professional development as certified K-12 Health Education Teacher or in the area of Eating Disorders awareness, education and treatment.

Contact
Contact

Program Coordinator, Health Education & Promotion; Physical Education
Professor
Phone: (603) 535-2517
Office: Health & Human Enrichment, Human Performance Center Rm 203C, MSC 22, Plymouth, NH 03264

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Curriculum & Requirements

Program Planning

The core education courses are offered year-round, and the required health education courses are offered primarily as weekend and hybrid courses. A limited number of courses will be offered during the fall terms. Content classes are offered on a rotating basis. This schedule allows students to complete their degree in two or three years on a part-time basis. Full-time students may be able to complete the requirements in less time.

Required Concentrations in this Major

Complete one concentration

Health Education and Promotion

Students interested in community, clinical, and corporate health promotion should choose this concentration. Coursework also provides preparation for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.

Curriculum Requirements

Course Title Credits
Master's Core Component
ED 5000Social Behavior in a Diverse Society3
ED 5010Philosophy, Ethics & Education3
ED 5030Research Design3
Health Education Component
HP 5010Scientific Foundations of Health Behavior3
HP 5020Designing and Implementing Health Promotion Programs3
HP 5030Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs3
Professional Development Component12
Choose at least four courses from HP, HL or HH based on previous education/experience
Capstone Experience
HL 5750Individual Research: Health Education3
or HL 5800 Practicum in Health Education
Total Credits33

Health Education and Promotion, Eating Disorders

Program Coordinator: Margaret Burckes-Miller, EdD
E-mail: margaret@plymouth.edu

This concentration is designed to offer students the knowledge and skills to understand eating disorders and disordered eating. This concentration is for health care professionals, counselors, social workers, nurses, and dietitians, and school professionals. The focus is on education and outreach for schools/communities and training health care and mental health professionals to treat and counsel those with eating disorders.

The courses specific to eating disorders are also offered as a graduate certificate program, the Eating Disorders Institute Certificate, for post-baccalaureate students.

Curriculum Requirements

Course Title Credits
Master's Core Component
ED 5000Social Behavior in a Diverse Society3
ED 5010Philosophy, Ethics & Education3
ED 5030Research Design3
Eating Disorders Institute Component
HL 5160Eating Disorders: Awareness and Prevention3
HL 5190Medical and Physiological Aspects of Eating Disorders3
HL 5180Nutrition Fundamentals and Counseling in the Recovery of Eating Disorders3
HL 5170Treatment Modalities for Eating Disorders3
Elective Component
Complete nine credits9
Capstone Experience
HL 5150Eating Disorders Clinical3
Total Credits33

 Health Education and Promotion, K-12 Teacher Certification Only

This program is for certified teachers who hold a Master's degree and are seeking to add Health Education Teacher licensure.

Curriculum Requirements

Course Title Credits
Teaching and Learning Component0-6
Choose at least two courses from the following based on previous education or professional experience:
ED 5270
Foundations of Teaching
or ED 5060
Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development
SE 5400
Classroom Interventions and Special Education Strategies
HP 5130
Teaching Strategies in Health Education
Health Education and Promotion Component
HP 5010Scientific Foundations of Health Behavior3
HP 5020Designing and Implementing Health Promotion Programs3
HP 5030Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs3
Professional Development Electives6
Choose at least two courses from HP, HL, HH, or ED
Teaching Experience Component
HP 5960Health Education Teaching Internship6
Total Credits21-27

Health Education & Promotion:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic health content and current health issues appropriate for an entry level health professional.
  • Assess, plan and implement health promotion programs.
  • Evaluate health promotion programs for process and outcomes
  • Obtain national certification as a certified health education specialist (CHES) from the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, INC. (NCHEC)
 
Eating Disorder Concentration:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic information in the eating disorders field for entry level l eating disorder specialists.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of assessment and treatment modalities of eating disorders.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of medical complications of eating disorders.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of nutrition education, assessment, and counseling of eating disorders.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in an eating disorders capstone experience in a clinical setting or educational/outreach setting.

• Public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Community organizations and nonprofits, such as the YMCA and community clinics
• School health, including colleges and universities
• Corporate offices that encourage stress management and sponsor wellness programs for employees
• Wellness Coaching
• Addiction Counseling
• Eating Disorder Educator

Admission Information

Requirements

All of the MEd in Health Education & Promotion programs require the following materials to be submitted through our online application

  • Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework
  • Official transcripts from any/all college level work
  • Three professional recommendations
  • Current Resume
  • Statement of interest
  • NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
  • $75 application fee 

Deadlines

Students pursuing Health Education & Promotion can apply for admission to any of the upcoming semesters. Here are the deadlines for 2023-24:

  • Fall 2023 – August 1, 2023
  • Spring 2024 – December 1, 2023
  • Summer 2024 – April 15, 2024

*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline. 

2023-24 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees

  New Hampshire Resident
Tuition Mandatory Fees Per Credit Total
Master’s Degrees/Certificates $570 $42 $612
CAGS $610 $42 $652
EDD $665 $42 $707
  Out-of-State Resident
Tuition Mandatory Fees Per Credit Total
Master’s Degrees/Certificates $789 $42 $831
CAGS $763 $42 $805
EDD $845 $42 $887

More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.

More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.

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