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Help groups and individuals lead healthier lifestyles or conduct research in an area that will benefit health globally with the expertise gained in our PhD in Health Education and Promotion program.
In recent years, public, professional, governmental, and medical groups have increasingly come to recognize the need for more health and wellness promotion initiatives, as the majority of adults do not meet the minimum recommendations to eat healthfully, exercise more, and make behavioral changes that can reduce disease and prolong their lives. With the focus of healthcare shifting toward preventive care and education, the demand for qualified health educators is projected to rise 13% by 2029.1 Now is the time for you to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to plan, implement, and evaluate prevention programs and services. With an online PhD in Health Education and Promotion degree, you can help groups and individuals lead healthier lifestyles or conduct research in an area that will help make the world a healthier place.
As one of a small number of online doctoral programs that is fully dedicated to this topic, our health education and promotion degree program explores both individual and population health, focusing on health behavior theory and techniques for changing behaviors. Using the latest technology, you will review case studies that touch on current trends and research and explore best practices from a global perspective.
Additionally, this online degree program can help prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam.
Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.
Get Started NowProgram Admission Considerations: A master's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
More information for international applicants.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to:
The health education profession is dedicated to excellence in the practice of promoting individual, family, organizational, and community health.
In light of initiatives such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 and its goal to “increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based programs designed to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life,” the demand for skilled health education specialists is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field has a 11% anticipated growth in employment through 2029.2
The PhD in Health Education and Promotion program can help prepare you to advance in the field, working as a health educator in academic, clinical, community, or corporate settings.
Health educators work to promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. They do this by:
A PhD in Health Education and Promotion can help you gain the skills and experience to work within a wide range of settings to promote healthy lifestyles. These settings include, but are not limited to:
Doctoral-level health education specialists may also serve as consultants, teach at the college or university level, or work as researchers.
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this program.
When it comes to finding the best online academic institution for you, reputation is key. Walden University is a pioneer of distance learning and has been supporting the educational needs of working professionals for more than 50 years. Accreditation should also be key in your decision-making. Attending an accredited university means you can be confident that your chosen degree program has passed the intense scrutiny and high standards of an independent accreditation organization. Walden University participates in a thorough recertification process every 10 years with The Higher Learning Commission, an independent accreditation corporation founded in 1895. Lastly, you’ll want to choose a program that helps pave the way to any state licensing or certification you need. Walden’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program can prepare you to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam.
When you choose to earn your PhD in Health Education and Promotion online, you’ll find a number of benefits that traditional classroom programs don’t readily offer. For instance, Walden’s global campus allows you to see your profession on an international scale through the eyes of classmates who may be from other parts of the world. With online health education degree programs, you can also access your coursework from anywhere and at any time. This level of flexibility makes it possible to complete your degree as you continue working full time. You’ll also benefit from asynchronous discussions with classmates, a suite of online student support services, and much more.
As laid out by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, health educators have seven primary responsibilities.1 Those are as follows:
1Source: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Education Specialists, on the internet at www.nchec.org/responsibilities-and-competencies.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification establishes a national standard for members of the profession and shows prospective employers that an individual is proficient in certain knowledge and skills. Earning your CHES certification not only unlocks the opportunity to further your career and earning potential, but also enables you to become a part of a global movement to positively impact world health. To become certified, you must pass an exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc.1 If you want to apply to take the exam, you must meet certain academic requirements and submit official transcripts indicating a major in health education and completion of at least 25 semester hours of work addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility and Competency for Health Education Specialists.1
1Source: www.nchec.org/exam-eligibility-guide
When you earn your PhD in Health Education and Promotion from Walden, you’ll benefit from courses that help you better understand the needs of those you will be serving in your role, best practices for developing your research skills, how to drive social change, and much more. In Walden University’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program, you’ll take courses such as:
While these courses will help you prepare for a career as a public health educator, you will also be able to choose a specialization to obtain additional knowledge and skills aligned with your career goals. Walden’s PhD in Health Education and Promotion program offers specializations in Global Health, Research, Behavioral Health, Management and Leadership, Online Teaching in Higher Education, and Population Health.
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