Health Education, MA

Program Coordinator: Michele Wallen (3204 Carol Belk Building; 252-737-1535; wallenm@ecu.edu)

The master of arts degree in health education provides advanced academic training for individuals employed or planning to seek employment as health educators in academic, clinical, community, and corporate settings. Undergraduate training in health education or the social and biological sciences is preferred. Applicants with undergraduate preparation deficient in these areas may be required to remove such deficiencies through supplemental course work as designated by the department’s graduate faculty.

The basic curriculum plan for the MA in health education requires 30 s.h. All students complete the required core courses and select from one of three options: thesis, internship, or course work. Students select electives in consultation with their advisor.

1. Core courses - 18 s.h.

2. Options - 12 s.h.

(Choose one of the following options.)

a. Course work option (12 s.h.)

Guided electives - 12 s.h.

Note:

The student completes a comprehensive examination covering both core and research skills courses. The graduate advisor selects the committee to examine the student.

b. Internship option (12 s.h.)

HLTH 6990 - Internship in Health Education (3 s.h.)
HLTH 6991 - Internship in Health Education (3 s.h.)

Guided electives - 6 s.h.

Note:

The student completes a 240-hour internship experience and writes an internship report. The student also completes a comprehensive examination covering both core and research skills courses. The graduate advisor selects the committee to examine the student.

c. Thesis option (12 s.h.)

HLTH 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)

Guided elective - 3 s.h.

Research skills - 3 s.h.

(Choose one of the following.)

Note:

The student writes and orally defends a thesis. The thesis proposal must be approved by the student’s advisor and a committee that comprises three health education and promotion faculty and an outside reviewer.