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.
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 5000 | Social Behavior in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 5010 | Philosophy, Ethics & Education | 3 |
| ED 5030 | Research Design | 3 |
| Health Education Component | ||
| HP 5010 | Scientific Foundations of Health Behavior | 3 |
| HP 5020 | Designing and Implementing Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| HP 5030 | Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| Professional Development Component | 12 | |
| Choose at least four courses from HP, HL or HH based on previous education/experience | ||
| Capstone Experience | ||
| HL 5750 | Individual Research: Health Education | 3 |
| or HL 5800 | Practicum in Health Education | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
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 5000 | Social Behavior in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 5010 | Philosophy, Ethics & Education | 3 |
| ED 5030 | Research Design | 3 |
| Eating Disorders Institute Component | ||
| HL 5160 | Eating Disorders: Awareness and Prevention | 3 |
| HL 5190 | Medical and Physiological Aspects of Eating Disorders | 3 |
| HL 5180 | Nutrition Fundamentals and Counseling in the Recovery of Eating Disorders | 3 |
| HL 5170 | Treatment Modalities for Eating Disorders | 3 |
| Elective Component | ||
| Complete nine credits | 9 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
| HL 5150 | Eating Disorders Clinical | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
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 Component | 0-6 | |
| 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 5010 | Scientific Foundations of Health Behavior | 3 |
| HP 5020 | Designing and Implementing Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| HP 5030 | Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs | 3 |
| Professional Development Electives | 6 | |
| Choose at least two courses from HP, HL, HH, or ED | ||
| Teaching Experience Component | ||
| HP 5960 | Health Education Teaching Internship | 6 |
| Total Credits | 21-27 | |
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)
- 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.
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.
Explore Program Details
Graduate assistants are an important part of Plymouth State’s collaborative learning community. They work alongside faculty, staff, and students to help achieve the University’s goals, while gaining valuable experience as assistants, researchers, and teachers.
Graduate Assistant positions are available on a limited basis to highly qualified graduate students who’ve been fully accepted into a graduate program at Plymouth State. Applications for assistantships should be returned to the Office of Academic Affairs by April 1 for the upcoming year.
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