Master of Science in community health (online)
The M.S. in Community Health is a program for individuals who would like to work in community settings, such as health departments and local health agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, universities, businesses and health insurance companies. The mission statement of the Community Health program is to advance health equity through the preparation of community health education specialists who explore the multiple levels (individual, family, community, policy, systems) and social determinants that influence behavior and health. Community health educators focus on the community as the setting for analysis, assessment, advocacy, program planning, intervention, evaluation, and research, and are committed to developing, enhancing and using evidence-informed strategies to improve population health.
Accelerated Graduate Enrollment program
The Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program is available to academically strong students completing their undergraduate degree. This allows students to begin master's degree coursework while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree. Students have the opportunity to complete the requirements for both degrees in an accelerated timeline. For requirements and course information, refer to the academic bulletin.
For students whose undergraduate major is in Sport Management, the AGRADE graduate program options are: Community Health; Exercise and Sport Science; and Health & Physical Education Teaching.
Prerequisites
Admission to the M.S. program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must provide a personal statement including career/academic goals, and official transcripts of meeting the following criteria:
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for regular admission
- Undergraduate of GPA 2.8 - 2.99 for qualified admission
- No GRE required
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credits are required, and admitted students are assigned to a faculty advisor to design a plan of work that can include a culminating experience (internship, project, thesis) or a three-credit class in the student's specific interest area.
Curriculum
Semester I
| Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Total | 6 |
| HE 5522 Health Psychology | 3 |
| HE 6560 Integrating Evidence-Based Practices in Community Health: Translating Research-To-Practice | 3 |
Semester II
| Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Total | 6 |
| HE 6420 Introduction to Health Education Program Design | 3 |
| HE 6530 Principles and Practice of Health Education and Health Promotion | 3 |
Semester III
| Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Total | 9 |
| HE 6100 Health Communication Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| HE 6570 Advancing Community Health and Health Equity | 3 |
| KHS 8540 Theories of Health Behavior | 3 |
Semester IV
| Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Total | 9 |
| HE 6501 Measurement and Evaluation in Community Health Education | 3 |
| HE 7200 Grant Writing and Management in Health Sciences | 3 |
| Advisor-approved elective, such as HE 6320 Mental Health and Substance Abuse | 3 |
* Please note that M.S. courses are offered every 3 semesters, so the above plan is just one example. Full-time students can complete the program in two years.
The WSU program in Community Health is unique because it specifically prepares students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (https://www.nchec.org/). The CHES certification is the only nationally and internationally accredited health education and promotion certification on the market. The CHES credential ensures employers that the potential employee has taken the initiative to pursue additional certification, and that they have real-life knowledge, and experience planning, implementing, evaluating and advocating for health education programs, all skills the WSU program prepares students to do.
Contact
Alicia O'Connell
Program coordinator
313-577-4606
fh7228@wayne.edu
Kinesiology Health and Sport Studies
Phone: 313-577-4249