Program Overview

Master of Science in Public Health Education and Promotion, Concentration in Health Equity

The Master of Science in Public Health Education and Promotion, Concentration in Health Equity program is designed to enhance understanding of factors that influence health outcomes and develop effective public health education and promotion programs tailored to the needs of the communities served.

Program Overview

This program advances the ability to support positive health outcomes and prepares students to sit for the nationally accredited Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. As a student of this program, individuals will learn how to:

• Administer and manage public health education and promotion programs through strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management
• Analyze various sources of data to successfully determine the public health needs of communities and populations
• Design, implement, administer, and evaluate public health education and promotion programs designed to improve the health of specific communities
• Serve as a public health education and promotion resource contributing to community and population health improvements

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to earn the M.S. in Public Health Education and Promotion Health Equity online from Texas State University, applicants must have:

• Completed online application
• Nonrefundable application fee of $55 ($90 for international)
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• Copy of official transcripts from all institutions where course credit was granted
• Minimum 2.75 GPA overall or 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work including any completed graduate courses
• Resume/CV
• 500-word, double-spaced, and typed statement of purpose addressing specific questions
• Three letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess the ability to succeed in graduate school
• For applicants without a U.S. bachelor's degree (or equivalent): an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements

Tuition

The tuition for the M.S. in Public Health Education and Promotion Health Equity online degree program is affordable and paid by the course.

• Total Tuition: $15,014
• Per Credit Hour: $500
• Per Course: $1,501
• Per Program: $15,014

Calendar

The Texas State public health master's in health equity program is delivered in a convenient online learning format that offers maximum flexibility for working adults.

• Term: Spring 2 2026
• Start Date: 3/10/26
• App Deadline: 2/24/26
• Document Deadline: 3/3/26
• Registration Deadline: 3/10/26
• Tuition Deadline: 3/5/26
• Class End Date: 5/13/26
• Term Length: 8 weeks

Courses

To graduate from the master's in health equity online degree program, students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, including:

• 15 credit hours of core courses
• 6 credit hours of public health electives
• 9 credit hours of additional electives

Core Courses

• PH 5346: Public Health Research and Population Surveillance
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5350: Advanced Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5320: Foundations of Public Health
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5315: Applied Behavioral Statistics in Public Health
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5321: Advanced Health Behavior Theory
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3

Public Health Electives

The list of electives provided is not exhaustive and is subject to change. New courses may be added as additional programs launch or as student demand increases. Students are advised to work with an academic advisor to select and schedule their elective courses according to their degree plan and availability.

• PH 5348: Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5301: Environmental Health Issues
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5374: Global Public Health
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5345: Public Health Safety Issues in Human Sexuality
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5305: Grant Proposal Writing in Public Health
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5303: Social Determinants of Health
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5335: Public Health Leadership
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3
• PH 5370: Applied Epidemiology
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Credit Hours: 3

Career Opportunities

This program prepares graduates for career opportunities in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate health settings, focusing on improving access to accurate and useful public health information across a wide range of communities.