Program Overview

Master of Public Health in Community Health Education

The Master of Public Health in Community Health Education provides students with the opportunity to specialize in community health education and health promotion within the context of Public Health. This program aims to increase competence in designing, implementing, and evaluating behavior change programs, preparing students for roles in various health agencies, teaching at college and university levels, and administrative positions in public and private health agencies.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Public Health in Community Health Education, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Each applicant must request a copy of official transcript(s) of all work to be sent to the Graduate Advisor in the Health Science Department, in addition to the copies required by the Office of Enrollment Services.
• A bachelor's degree with a major in health education that articulates with the course requirements for the same degree at California State University, Long Beach; or a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 21 units of upper division coursework comparable to those required of the Health Science major at the University; or a bachelor's degree in a related discipline and willingness to make up any deficiencies in prerequisite Health Science courses.
• Prerequisites for all courses carrying graduate credit must have been completed within seven years of taking the graduate courses. If any prerequisite is outdated, it may be repeated or credit obtained by:
  • Written examination on the subject matter
  • Providing documented evidence of currency in the subject area
• An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 units of undergraduate units attempted, but who show promise in all other aspects, may be given special consideration after petitioning for conditional admission into the program through the Department Graduate Advisor.
• Acceptance by the University as a student with graduate standing.
• A maximum of 9 units of graduate work at the post-baccalaureate level will be credited to a student's program requirements upon Departmental acceptance to the graduate program.
• Submission of Part "B" of the CSU application to the Department and quantitative and verbal scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Three letters of recommendation from persons with whom the candidate has worked and who have direct knowledge of the applicant's qualifications and potential as a community health educator.
• A separate personal statement outlining the reason for pursuing this field of study and comments about interests and experience that are germane to career objectives.
• At least one year's full-time (or equivalent) paid or volunteer experience in Community Health Education or a closely related health role. Preference will be given to those with greater experience and ability.

Advancement to Candidacy

To advance to candidacy, students must:

• Satisfy the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy
• Have at least a 3.0 average for all coursework attempted as a graduate student
• Obtain approval by the Department Graduate Advisor and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the College of Health and Human Services

Requirements for Completion of the Master of Public Health in Community Health Education

To complete the Master of Public Health in Community Health Education, students must:

• Complete a minimum of 42 units of approved upper division and graduate-level courses, including:
  • Core courses: HCA 502, H/SC 500 -or- MICR 429, H/SC 503 -or- BIOL 565, 508, 528, 570, 581, 624, 625, 626, 696
  • 3 units of electives at the 500/600 level
  • H/SC 585, a supervised fieldwork experience (6 units)
• Pass a comprehensive written examination (see Department for guidelines)