Health Education, M.S.

Major: Health Education
Degree: Master of Science (M.S.)
Program Code: MS-HED

Department: Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (HESS)
Program: Health Education

Description

The health education program at the University of New Mexico provides education, mentoring and training opportunities for those interested in pursuing and advancing their career in community health education and promotion. The health education program strives to ensure a rigorous course of study that prepares graduates to address the public health problems of the 21st century.

Public health principles are woven into the curriculum thematically such as statistical reasoning in public health; social, cultural, behavioral and bio-determinants of health and health behavior; designing, implementing, managing, evaluating social and behavioral interventions and policies to improve community and population health; and, health systems and equity.

The health education graduate curriculum is designed to develop and enhance students’ understanding of the areas of knowledge basic to community health education and acquire skills and experience through course requirements, supervised fieldwork, and collaborative research projects with faculty. The course of study leading to the Master of Science in health education prepares graduates to assume public health education positions in schools, communities, public health agencies, in health care and worksite settings, Indian Health Services, and within the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla, Mescalero and Pueblo Health care systems.

Community Health Education. This 36-credit hour concentration is designed to prepare professional community health educators. Emphasis is on preparing individuals for careers in health education and in the application of behavioral science and public health principles to health problems and health promotion; for administrative and consultant positions in agencies and institutions at local, state, and national levels; and for positions in program planning and evaluation. The program of study for the community health concentration includes a core of courses including a 150-hour field experience. The elective courses should be selected to meet the career goals and needs of the individual student.

Community Health Education requirements

Students who successfully complete the M.S. in Community Health Education degree program are eligible to take the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam in all states. This is a national voluntary professional certification and not a graduation requirement. For more information on exam eligibility requirements see Certified Health Education Specialist.