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

About This Program

Elevate your career with the Health Education Ph.D. program. With experienced faculty, a flexible curriculum and opportunities for research and practical experience, you'll be prepared for leadership roles in the field. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Laurie M. Wagner, MCHES | lyoo@kent.edu | 330-672-0685
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• 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

National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

^{* 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

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or vita
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview
• 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 (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

The college will assess health education and promotion applicants holistically, considering academic credentials, related professional experiences, academic or professional references, scholarly activities and professional activities, among others.

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

¹

Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. degree without an equivalent master's degree in health education and promotion may be required to complete additional coursework, which will not be counted towards the degree.

Application Deadlines

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

Program Requirements

¹

Students choose an area of specialization—such as school health, sexuality or substance abuse prevention—as developed with advisory phase committee.

²

Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for HED 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter HED 80299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Licensure Information

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.

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.
4. Conduct program evaluation and research in health education.
5. Serve as health education resource person.
6. Administer and manage health education.
7. Communicate and advocate for health and health education.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Health Education and Promotion emphasizes the interaction among the theoretical, empirical and applied nature of health education. Health education borrows from many disciplines, including community organization, education, medicine, biological science, psychology, statistics and communication.

Although the program is designed for health educators, applicants are drawn from a variety of fields, including health education, nursing, nutrition, the medical technologies and social sciences. The program is particularly appropriate for those seeking employment in higher education or career advancement within the broad scope of health education. Graduates work in schools, higher education, government agencies, hospitals and non-profit agencies.

State/Federal background checks may be required for practicum/internship experiences.

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.