Why This Matters

  • PREPARE FOR JOBS IN 10+ DIFFERENT SETTINGS

    Health education is a very versatile field with career opportunities in many different settings, including hospitals, government agencies, and religious organizations.

  • EMPLOYMENT IN HEALTHCARE TO INCREASE 14%

    Due to an aging population and greater emphasis on healthy living and disease prevention, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1.9 million new jobs in this field by 2028.

  • THE U.S. NEEDS 14,100 MORE OF YOU BY 2028

    Health educators and community health workers should see an 11% increase in employment opportunities during the next decade, according to the BLS. Job prospects are best for those who speak a second language.

Our Research

We concentrated our research on master’s programs in health education and related areas. The types of degrees featured on this list include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Public Health (MPH), and Master of Education (M.Ed).

To ensure the quality of programs, we only reviewed programs offered by regionally accredited schools. Several programs have programmatic accreditation through bodies like the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

All of the programs we reviewed are delivered completely or primarily through online coursework.

Once we narrowed our list of programs, we evaluated each of them based on outcomes, reputation, cost, faculty, and flexibility. Then we calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 69 hours to write this article
  • 191 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 425 education programs we compared

The Top 28 Online Master’s in Health Education Programs

Best Online Master's in Health Education Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Maryland University of Integrative Health
01
Best Master of Sciences Degree
Concord University
01
Best Health & Wellness Focus
Nebraska Methodist College
01
Best Scholarships
Western Carolina University
01
Best Public University
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
01
Most Affordable
University of the Cumberlands
01
Best Physical Education Focus
Georgia State University
01
Best Master of Health Science Degree
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best Concentration Options
Trident University International
01
Best Student Support Services
Lehman College
01
Best in the Midwest
Emporia State University
01
Best in the Southeast
East Carolina University
01
Fastest Completion Time
Northwest Missouri State University
01
Best Food Science Focus
Mississippi State University
01
Best Catholic University
Saint Francis University
01
Most Diverse Curriculums
SUNY Brockport
01
Best Master of Education Degree
Cleveland State University
01
Best in the South
The University of Memphis
01
Most Military Friendly
Touro University Worldwide
01
Best Thesis Options
Department of Health & Kinesiology at Texas A&M University
01
Best Master of Science Degree
Cleveland University-Kansas City
01
Most Experienced Faculty
University of South Carolina
01
Best for Multiple Start Dates
Purdue University Global
01
Most Flexible Completion Time
Rosalind Franklin University
01
Best Private University
Saint Joseph's University
01
Best in the Northeast
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
01
Best Ivy League Program
Columbia University

What You Should Know About This Degree

Health education encompasses a range of responsibilities related to promoting healthy living habits among individuals and communities.

Employees in this field are commonly separated into two distinct categories. Health educators work in healthcare facilities, government agencies, nonprofits, and schools to educate individuals about general or specific wellness topics and practices, and they help craft programs and policies to promote health and wellness education.

Community health workers seek to advance health education and wellness among specific communities and populations through community health centers and social service agencies and programs.

Before selecting a master’s in health education program, consider your personal and professional interests, and decide which of these specializations most interests you.

If you are interested in teaching health in a public school setting, you may be required to obtain a teaching license or certification, depending on the state in which you wish to teach. Be sure to review the state’s requirement for public school teachers before selecting a master’s in health education program, and confirm that you are completing the necessary educational requirements for your intended career path.

Although there is no mandatory credentialing for health educators, some employers may require you to have the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential, which is awarded by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). This certification demonstrates your expertise in health education.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Health Education programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Some health education master’s programs require students to have prior education or professional experience in health education or a related field. Prior to applying, review the program’s eligibility requirements to confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for admission.
  • Are there any in-person requirements? Even if all of the coursework in a program can be completed through distance learning, some programs may have experiential learning components, such as internships. Review the program’s curriculum carefully to find out if there are any on-site elements of the program so that you can plan on accommodating them in your schedule and budget.

As part of your research process, get information about the programs’ application procedures and deadlines, and start collecting your application materials.

Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask the schools you are applying to about scholarship and financial aid opportunities and deadlines. For individuals already employed in the healthcare field, your employer might offer tuition reimbursement or other financial support options for earning your master’s degree.

Find Your Degree