Location:

Ithaca, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Health Education & Communication

Program Overview

Program Description:

When Ithaca first admitted physical education students in 1917, we helped pioneer the training of professional educators in the field. Expanded to offer training in health education as well, our program has long been recognized for the quality of its graduates. The Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education’s master of science degree program in health education is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree and initial teaching certification in health education or a closely related field. After completing the program you’ll be eligible for New York State professional certification. For individuals who hold a teaching certificate in health education, the master's program requires just 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, usually taken over two semesters and one summer. In order to let you to match your program of study to your professional interests and career aspirations, our program offers either a thesis or non-thesis option. For both options the curriculum includes classes on topics such as research methods and epidemiological approaches to disease prevention, teaching and learning in the school and community, and models and theories of health education. The Health Education program welcomes students with non-teacher certification. All students, both teacher ed and non-teacher ed, are eligible to take the national certified health education specialist (CHES) exam and practice as community health educators. Students in the program will: - develop an advanced understanding of health education and the behavioral and health sciences; - enhance their core strengths in teaching methods, theory, and practices; and - gain experience and deeper insights into the art and science of instructing and leading young people in a scholastic setting. MANY WAYS TO STUDY You may choose either a thesis or non-thesis option. In addition, the program offers multiple tracks that can be customized to accommodate students from almost any educational and professional background. The program can be completed in 12 months. Preference is given to applicants who files are complete by March 1. Applicants must submit the following: - Online graduate application and essay - Official transcripts from all institutions attended - Two letters of recommendation (one additional letter for graduate assistantships)* - Application fee * Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis and consist of a partial tuition scholarship and an additional work stipend.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

The graduate program in health promotion is geared toward a professional teaching certificate. Upon graduation, students are eligible for New York State initial teacher certification in health education. Students who are interested in state certification as a health education teacher but do not have an undergraduate background in the field are encouraged to meet with the program chair to discuss individualized tracks of study.

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

Admission to the health education program is selective. Applicants must have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 from an accredited college or university. Preference is given to applicants whose files are complete by March 1. Applicants must submit the following: - Online graduate application and essay - Official transcripts from all institutions attended - Two letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant's academic abilities (one additional letter for graduate assistantships)* - Application fee *Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis and consist of a partial tuition scholarship and an additional work stipend.