15 Best Masters in Health Education and Promotion 2020

If you have a passion for the health and wellness of your community, and are not afraid to tackle taboo topics, you should consider one of the best master’s degrees in Health Education and Promotion.   Vaccinations. Vaping. Vasectomies. What do all of these things share in common? Beyond alliteration, all three are common teaching topics for health educators!   Health educators are concerned with the overall wellness of society. They educate folks about the prevention of spreadable diseases, the side effects of harmful substances, different methods of contraception, the importance of annual checkups and screenings, and so much more! Health education and promotion is a field that saves—and enriches—millions of lives each year. What is a Master’s in Health Education and Promotion Degree? Closely adjacent to the broader field of public health, a Master’s in Health Education and Promotion is a dynamic degree that positions you as a spokesperson for wellness.   A master’s program in this field typically takes one to three years to complete. Coursework ranges from specific healthcare topics like epidemiology to broader issues like health policy. You will draw heavily from fields such as biology, social sciences, and public health.   Students in this field can take slightly different pathways through career-driven concentration areas. Here are a few common options:   Healthcare AdministrationWorkplace WellnessDrug and Alcohol EducationEpidemiology Depending on the program, you may be required to have a few years of experience in a health-related field. At the very least, you will be expected to have an undergraduate degree in a related major. Careers for Health Education and Promotion majors After graduating from a Health Education and Promotion program, you can apply your skills to a variety of careers. The most common one, of course, is to work as a Health Educator. Jobs in this field are available in both the public and private sector.   The variance in this job is best seen through the multiple settings in which you can practice. For example, you can work as a health educator in a healthcare facility, a school system, a public health department, a nonprofit, or even in a private business. Local governments sometimes hire health educators to address community-specific health issues.   Depending on the program you select (and your home state), you might be qualified to earn a teaching license. In this capacity, you could teach health promotion in a secondary education setting. As is probably apparent by now, health education does not just happen in schools! Your degree is relevant in nearly all sectors. Master’s in Health Education and Promotion salary potential Health educators enjoy a lucrative salary for the life-saving work they do. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health educators earn a median salary of $54,220. However, the highest-earning 10 percent of folks make upwards of $98k each year.   You’ll find the highest earning potential in hospital and government health education jobs. The lowest earning brackets are for careers in individual and family services.   Regardless of the setting, however, you will be relieved to know that health education careers are on the rise. Health education has proven to be a literal life-saver in preventing harmful behaviors and deadly diseases. As such, this field is experiencing a surge in demand, and is anticipated to grow by 11 percent in the next ten years. What are the Best Master’s in Health Education and Promotion Degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of CollegeRank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni   30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year   30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1University of UtahLocationSalt Lake City, UtahMore information The University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Utah and is also home to the state’s first medical school. The university’s health care system includes 12 community clinics and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Utah is home to a Master of Science program in Health Education Specialist Wellness Coaching. The program was recently created from the merger of Utah’s Master of Science in Health Promotion Education program with its kinesiology graduate program. There is also a Ph.D. available for students who want to continue on after earning an MS. The program is designed to be completed in two years and one summer (for a total of five semesters). The curriculum includes 40-41 credit hours of overall coursework. Students complete courses in Applied Behavior Change, Grant Writing, Epidemiology, and Health Instruction Communication. Students take one elective course and two practical experience courses during the program. This is a non-thesis program that is billed as the only one in the country to offer an MS that prepares graduates to sit for both the Certified Health Education Specialist exam and the National Health Wellness Coach certification exam.