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MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION

The Master of Public Health in Community Health Education (MPH–CHE) prepares health and human service professionals to serve in various settings where community health education approaches are employed to improve health and well being. This practitioner-oriented program addresses behavioral theory, communication and motivational processes, community intervention strategies, and evaluation procedures for community health promotion and primary prevention. As a culminating experience, students complete a thesis or graduate project in health education.” One of two options is selected by the candidate: Plan A, which includes a master’s thesis, or Plan B, the non-thesis option. Each option requires the same core courses. Graduate students from other programs are not allowed to enroll in health education graduate courses unless departmental approval has been given.

The only degree of its kind in the UW System, the MPH-CHE is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Graduates are prepared to:

— assess individual and community health needs

— plan effective health education and health promotion programs

— implement and evaluate educational experiences

— coordinate and manage the provisions of health education services

— serve as resource people in health education

— communicate health and health education needs, concerns, and resources

— conduct health education and promotion research

— apply research principles and strategies in health education

— manage and supervise health education programs in various settings

Graduates are employed in:

— public health agencies

— volunteer and private agencies

— hospitals and other health care settings

— local, state, and national governmental agencies

— business and industrial settings

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Students must complete an “Application for Admission to Graduate Study” form and specific MPH-CHE admission materials to be returned to the Admissions Office by February 15. Following review of the admissions materials by the departmental review committee, a letter of decision will be sent to the applicant.

2. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of not less than 3.00 based on a minimum of 60 final semester credits or a cumulative post-baccalaureate GPA of not less than 3.00 based on not less than nine semester credits as determined by the graduate program director in the Department of Health Education and Health Promotion.

3. A minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 1500 for the total general test scores for verbal, qualitative, and analytical measures is strongly recommended.

4. Three current (within one year) letters of recommendation on the forms provided.

5. One letter of application and intent which details your:

— academic goals within the MPH program

— professional goals

— previous professional experiences

— reasons for selecting an MPH degree program (vs. MS or other master’s degree)

— reasons for wanting to be a community health educator

— special interests within the field of community health education

6. A minimum of one year of voluntary or salaried post-baccalaureate work experience in one or more health or social service settings is strongly recommended.

7. A departmental review committee will assess all submitted materials, to include an interview when necessary. It is important to note that one’s acceptance or non-acceptance is based upon a comprehensive review of the above items, and is not based solely on any particular element.

Prerequisite competency areas: Chemistry (CHM 100 or 103), Biology (BIO 312-313 or ESS 205 and 206), Sociology (SOC 110 or 120 or 334), Health Statistics/ Research Design (HED 350 or MTH 205), Community Health Education Foundations (HED 240 or public health education experience), Epidemiology (HED 340), Health related experience (one year, or HED 498 — 12 credits).

Plan A: Thesis Option (41 Credits)

Required Courses: Credit

HED	698	Community Health Education Preceptorship	5
HED	701	Contemporary Issues in Health Education	3
HED	703	Health Education Foundations	3
HED	706	Research Tools and Processes	6
HED	707	Environmental Health	3
HED	720	Program Assessment, Planning and Evaluationin Health Promotion	3
HED	755	Epidemiology and Public Health Issues	3
HED	770	Health Counseling	3
HED	790	Public Health Administration and Organization	3
HED	799	Research: Master’s Thesis	4
Electives			5
Total			41

Plan B: Non-thesis Option

(45 Credits)

The Plan B option would include the 32 required course and preceptorship credits, along with HED 798, Graduate Project in Health Education, for three credits, plus 10 credits of electives. The elective credits provide a wide range of options in the areas of health education concepts and processes, program development, and skill development. These elective experiences would be established following discussions with the community health education graduate studies director in the Department of Health Education and Health Promotion.