College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Health Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/hs

About This Program

Make an impact in health education and promotion with Kent State's program. Develop your leadership, communication and advocacy skills, while gaining the knowledge and experience needed to advance your career in this dynamic and rewarding field. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Laurie M. Wagner, MCHES | (Community Health concentration) | lyoo@kent.edu | 330-672-0685
  Donna Bernert | (School Health Licensure concentration) | dbernert@kent.edu | 330-672-0682
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Fully Offered

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Additional Careers

• Certified Health Education Specialist
• Community Health Educator
• Community Health Education Coordinator
• Diabetes Educator
• Health Educator
• Master Certified Health Education Specialist
• Public Health Educator

Accreditation

The School Health Licensure concentration is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Current Ohio teaching license (required for School Health Licensure concentration only) (no longer required starting with spring 2025 admission term)
• Effective with spring 2025 admission term: Evidence of valid Resident Educator or Professional State of Ohio teaching license School Health Licensure concentration
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Community Health Concentration Requirements

¹

Students are recommended to select courses around a common theme, such as sexuality, substance abuse or other options approved by advisor. Students who plan to pursue a doctorate are recommended to take courses in research and statistics.

School Health Licensure Concentration Requirements

Field Experience and Licensure Information for the School Health Licensure Concentration

Students in the School Health Licensure concentration will complete a minimum of 50 Ohio Department of Education-required field experience hours. State or Federal background checks may be required for practicum/internship experiences.

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Graduation Requirements

M.Ed. degree candidates have six years from the term of first enrollment to complete the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education.
2. Plan health education and promotion activities.
3. Implement health education and promotion programs in schools and communities.
4. Conduct program evaluation and research in health education.
5. Advocate for health and health education.
6. Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences using appropriate theory, methods and channels.
7. Administer and manage health education.
8. Serve as an authoritative resource on health education and promotion practices in accordance with established ethical principles.

Full Description

The Master of Education degree in Health Education and Promotion is designed to enable individuals to pursue their diverse interests in the field while addressing the competencies essential to the professional development of health educators.

Students in the program utilize theoretical models of attitude and behavioral change in assessing educational needs, designing educational interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of program efforts and advocating for creative and competent health education opportunities. These skills prepare graduates for various employment positions in local, state and national government; K-12 schools and community colleges; health care facilities; worksite wellness programs; and nonprofit organizations.

The Health Education and Promotion major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Community Health concentration provides background for those who will be involved in positions of leadership in a wide variety of health-related community settings, as well as for those who plan to pursue doctoral work in fields related to health education and health promotion. Students in the concentration can pursue certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES).
• The School Health Licensure concentration enables graduates to teach health in schools or pursue diverse interests in the field. Competencies essential to school health education are addressed. Students in the concentration can pursue an additional Ohio teaching license that requires students to already have an initial teaching license.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.