Health Sciences

[1] Objectives

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

[2] Program Admission Requirements

Admission to graduate study for the Master of Science degree in Health Sciences 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 writing section. Exceptions to the GRE requirement include any of the following:
   • A comparable standardized graduate exam that includes a writing section score
   • 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

[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. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than a 3.0 will be dismissed from the graduate program in Health Sciences. Additionally, students must pass the comprehensive exam 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)

1. Health Sciences core requirements (18 hours): H SC 6379, EXSS 6316 or H SC 6330, H ED 6361, 6321, 6331, 5370. (For students without an undergraduate course in basic statistics, a basic statistics course may be assessed prior to admission to EXSS 6316 or H SC 6330. If the course is taken at the graduate level, the course may be used as an elective in the program. Students with an undergraduate course in basic statistics may take either EXSS 6316 or H SC 6330.)
2. Thesis research in Health Sciences (6 hours): H SC 6V80, 6V90.
3. Electives (9 hours) selected with the approval of the graduate advisor to include no more than 3 hours from an allied area. Courses may be selected from the following:
   H ED 5301 Health Education in the Medical Care Setting
   H ED 5302 Health Education in the Worksite
   H ED 5303 Environmental Health Problems
   H ED 5306 Health Literacy
   H ED 5310 Health Concerns of Aging
   H ED 5320 Health Promotion Interventions
   H ED 5343 Health Strategies for Multicultural Populations
   H ED 5350 Health Education in the Elementary Schools
   H ED 5351 Health Education Techniques in the Middle Schools
   H ED 5352 Health Education in the Secondary Schools
   H ED 5665 Field Experiences in Health Education
   H ED 6310 Health Education Curriculum and Instruction
   H ED 6311 Health Appraisal of School Children
   H ED 6345 Drug Education and Prevention
   H ED 6350 Contemporary Health Problems
   H ED 6353 Issues and Research in Sexuality
   H ED 6354 Issues and Research in Women’s Health
   H ED 6360 International Health
   H ED 6371 Directed Independent Study
   H SC 5305 Technology Applications in the Health Sciences
   H SC 6335 Grant Writing

[4.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)

1. Core Requirements (18 hours); same as for thesis option.
2. Electives (18 hours) selected with approval of graduate advisor to include a maximum of nine hours of electives outside the department to be chosen with approval of the graduate advisor. Courses may be selected from the following:
   H ED 5301 Health Education in the Medical Care Setting
   H ED 5302 Health Education in the Worksite
   H ED 5303 Environmental Health Problems
   H ED 5306 Health Literacy
   H ED 5310 Health Concerns of Aging
   H ED 5320 Health Promotion Interventions
   H ED 5343 Health Strategies for Multicultural Populations
   H ED 5350 Health Education in the Elementary Schools
   H ED 5351 Health Education Techniques in the Middle Schools
   H ED 5352 Health Education in the Secondary Schools
   H ED 5665 Field Experiences in Health Education
   H ED 6310 Health Education Curriculum and Instruction
   H ED 6311 Health Appraisal of School Children
   H ED 6345 Drug Education and Prevention
   H ED 6350 Contemporary Health Problems
   H ED 6353 Issues and Research in Sexuality
   H ED 6354 Issues and Research in Women’s Health
   H ED 6360 International Health
   H ED 6371 Directed Independent Study
   H SC 5305 Technology Applications in the Health Sciences
   H SC 6335 Grant Writing

[5] Comprehensive Exams

All students must successfully complete written comprehensive examinations 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.

[6] Graduate Course Links (H ED, H SC)

Follow this link for H ED course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for H SC course descriptions: course link.