Program Description

Through a mix of required and elective courses consisting of 30 credit hours, students will examine critical and complex health equity and social justice challenges. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the economic, social, environmental, political, and health issues impacting vulnerable populations. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to drive policy changes, evaluate needs, identify assets, and solve pressing health-related challenges. Program graduates are prepared to use social and behavioral theories and models to design, implement, and evaluate interventions aimed at addressing social determinants of health and decreasing health disparities. In addition to core courses, students choose a track, two electives and complete a capstone course ensuring their degree aligns with their current role and future career goals.

The Health Education and Behavior Change track will provide students with the opportunity to focus on skills and perspectives to facilitate healthy practices at individual and societal levels. These perspectives include the theoretical, programmatic and empirical foundations of learning and teaching; strategies and policies that promote healthy populations; and administration and management of health education programs.  

The Health Equity and Social Justice track provides students with the opportunity to focus on diverse perspectives in community health education and health promotion. These perspectives include how to educate others about health; create a culture of health; advocate for health equity; identify structural causes of health inequities; and interpret health trends.

I. Degree Requirements (30 credits)