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 K-12 schools, universities, hospitals and community health centers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

  • 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) or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

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. Our top picks for the best online master’s in health education are affordable, customizable, and well-respected. (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 20 Online Master’s in Health Education Programs

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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 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, to make sure 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 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 for earning your master’s degree.