Health Promotion

[1] Objectives

The graduate program in Health Promotion leads to the Master of Science degree. The program is designed to prepare students as health education and promotion specialists in public health settings, colleges and universities, schools, and private, corporate, and health care facilities.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

Admission to graduate study for the Master of Science degree in Health Promotion is selective and based upon the following:

1. Admission to graduate studies at UCA
2. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores that are less than five years old indicating a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. Exceptions to the GRE requirement include any of the following:
   • A comparable standardized graduate exam that includes a writing section score equivalent to a 3.0 on the GRE
   • CHES or MCHES certification
   • Completion of a master’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution
   • An undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher from an accredited U.S. institution

[3] Program Requirements

The student must complete all course work with a minimum of 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Courses with a grade below a C must be retaken. A graduate student is expected to maintain a cumulative 3.00 average. A student whose cumulative grade point average is less than 3.00 is on academic probation. In the next semester or summer term in attendance, the student should achieve a cumulative 3.00 GPA or at least show meaningful improvement towards a 3.00 GPA. If the cumulative 3.00 GPA is not met nor meaningful improvement shown, the student is ineligible to continue graduate studies at UCA. Additionally, students must pass the comprehensive examination or pass the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam in order to graduate.

[4] Degree Requirements

[4.1] Thesis Option (33 hours)

[4.1.1] Core Requirements (18 hours)

Note 1

[4.1.2] Electives (9 hours)

Elective courses are selected with the approval of the graduate advisor to include no more than three hours from an allied area. Courses may be selected from the following.

[4.1.3] Thesis Research (6 hours)

[4.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)

[4.2.1] Core Requirements (18 hours)

These are the same as for the thesis option (see above).

[4.2.2] Electives (18 hours)

Electives are selected with approval of the graduate advisor to include a maximum of nine hours of electives outside the department. Courses may be selected from the following.

[5] Comprehensive Examination

All students must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination or present evidence of current CHES or MCHES certification. The comprehensive exam will be given with the permission of the graduate coordinator or department chair after the student has completed the required core courses. The student will advise the graduate coordinator of intent to take the examination by submitting a request via email. Students with any Cs will be required to take the examination at the end of their last semester in the program.

[6] Graduate Courses (HLTH)

Follow this link for HLTH course descriptions: course link.