This is a list of schools and programs that focus on the Top Most Affordable Accelerated Online Masters In Health Education. There has been a rise in the demand from health educators, and the industry in general, to make accelerated online Master’s in Health Education degrees available to working professionals.
It has only been a recent development that Master of Public Health degrees, which often serves as the general degree for health educators, have moved online with this concentration intact. Additionally, more degrees that are specifically devoted to health education have become available, giving professionals a choice as to how they approach their graduate education.
Health educators often begin work right after they graduate with their undergraduate degree. Because of this, the vast majority of professionals interested in master’s in health education programs require an online program that is flexible and affordable. It is commonly accepted that online programs, specifically those that are accelerated and offer various features, are the best way to ensure that a professional actually completes their degree. It is for this reason that this ranking has been created; students now have a group of programs that they know will see them graduate in two years and are offered as a hybrid, low-residency, or 100 percent online programs.
Methodology
The research needed to create this list was done in order to ensure that every school ranked met the requirements requested by students. All the information used to build the initial pool of schools was offered by the National Center for Education Statistics and the College Navigator database. The initial pool of 25 schools was created simply by searching for “online Master’s in Health Education” on the database. From there, great care was taken to ensure that each program was reviewed independently, with various factors, such as tuition rates and estimated degree completion times, used as markers for the final ranking. The schools chosen for the list, which are found below, were chosen based on the total estimated in-state graduate tuition rate for the program.
Ranking Low-Cost Accelerated Master’s Health Education
20. The University of South Carolina
Tuition: $29,346
The University of South Carolina confers an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is perfect for professionals who are interested in completing this degree in two years. This is a Master of Public Health Program with a specialization in health education, making it a great choice for a health educator. This program was created specifically for working professionals who do not have the time to meet the residency requirements of many other programs. As a 100 percent online program, all students will complete their coursework online through the use of the school’s learning management system. Courses are delivered asynchronously or synchronously and are offered in seven-week or eight-week terms. Students who complete this degree as a full-time program, which is how it was designed, will graduate in two years. The program also requires a health practicum; this is completed in a student’s community under the supervision of a preceptor approved by the department. Students will also need to complete 45 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Consumer Health in Contemporary Society, Applied Health Communication, and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs.
19. Maryland University of Integrative Health
Tuition: $28,868
The affordable accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs alternative that is provided by the Maryland University of Integrative Health was designed to prepare professionals for working in the field as promoters and educators. It is possible to complete this degree in two years. There are two concentrations offered with this degree: Workplace Wellness or Community Health Education. This degree is offered 100 percent online and has no residency requirements. All courses are delivered in asynchronous sessions through the school’s virtual portal. All courses follow the trimester format. Students who study two courses every term, including one summer term, will be eligible for graduation in 18 months. This degree requires that students complete 35 credit hours of coursework, the Health Promotion Capstone, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Community Health Education Program Implementation, Physical Activity and Health, and Health Education Program Evaluation.
18. The University of Wisconsin
Tuition: $26,640
The University of Wisconsin is home to an alternative accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that was created specifically for working professionals. This degree was designed to highlight health promotion as well as wellness management, a key factor in preventative health. This program was developed to be completed entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Students will engage in their coursework through the school’s online learning management system, a state-of-the-art virtual environment that provides students with everything they need; this includes office hours, tutoring services, and access to the school’s online bookstore. This program is delivered asynchronously, meaning that students will never have to attend class at set times. Courses are delivered in the traditional 16-week academic term format, meaning that students who take three courses every term will graduate in two years. Students will be required to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, the Health and Wellness Management Capstone Course, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Behavior and Development in Organizations, Research Methods for Wellness Programs, and Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health.
17. Lock Haven University
Tuition: $24,818
Lock Haven University confers an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is perfect for working professionals who have experience in the field. This is a 100 percent online program that has no residency requirements and will fit around the busy schedules of professionals who have both work and personal obligations. This program can be completed as a one-year Master’s in Health Education programs online when students choose to study full-time; those who study part-time will be eligible to graduate in two years. This degree comes with two concentrations: Health Care Management and Health Promotion and Education. Students will be able to participate in all of their courses online through the use of asynchronous and synchronous sessions that are offered in eight-week sessions. This degree requires that students complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone or field experience, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Assessment and Planning for Health Programs, Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion and Education, and Contemporary Issues in Health and Healthcare.
16. Liberty University
Tuition: $23,730
Students who are interested in becoming qualified professionals in public health will want to take a look at the affordable accelerated online master’s available at Liberty University. This is a 100 percent online degree that has no residency requirements. Students will be able to complete this degree in 18 months when they pursue a full-time plan of study. All courses are available asynchronously and synchronously through the school’s online learning management system; all courses are held in the traditional 16-week academic term. A 120-hour practicum is also required for this degree; this will be completed in a student’s community under the supervision of an approved preceptor. Other requirements include 42 credit hours of coursework and the Master of Public Health Competency Exam. Sample courses include Principles of Community Health, Health Program Planning, and Social and Behavioral Theory Applications in Public Health.
15. Nebraska Methodist College
Tuition: $23,727
Nebraska Methodist College confers an accelerated online master’s degree in health education that takes just 16 months to complete. This degree was built for working professionals who are interested in working in community and clinical settings. The curriculum focuses on wellness management and marketing of new public health programs, making it a great choice for professionals who are in the field but would like to advance in their career. This is a 100 percent online course of study; there are no residency requirements. Students will complete all of their courses online through the school’s virtual portal; courses are delivered as live or on-demand sessions that last just five weeks in length. Students who take one or two courses every term will graduate within 16 months. This degree requires that students complete 33 credit hours of coursework, the Health Promotion Management capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Ethical Leadership and Conflict Management, Strategic Management for Wellness Professionals, and Marketing Health Promotion.
14. Purdue University Global Campus
Tuition: $23,520
The accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is conferred by Purdue University-Global Campus is a great choice for working professionals. This degree focuses on providing in-service health educators with the advanced education they need in order to become supervisors and directors in the field. This program is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements. It is possible to complete this degree in two years when students study full-time and taking summer terms. All courses for this degree are available online through the school’s virtual portal; courses are delivered asynchronously or synchronously and are held in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Fieldwork experience is required for this degree; students are responsible for finding a suitable site as well as finding a preceptor that will be approved by the department. Other degree requirements include 56 credit hours of coursework, the Master’s Capstone in Health Education, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Health Education and Communication, Public Health Program Development, and Health Education Design, Implementation, and Administration.
13. Cleveland University
Tuition: $23,400
Cleveland University provides students with the chance to earn an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs from a fantastic school. This is a 100 percent online program that has no residency requirements. Instead, the coursework required for this degree can be completed through the school’s online learning management system and was designed to be as flexible as possible for working adults. Courses for this degree are available asynchronously or synchronously; when classes are live, the schedule is usually offered in the evenings to accommodate all students. Terms last for eight weeks in length, meaning that students who study part-time will be able to graduate in two years. This degree requires that students complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Health Behavioral Theory, Techniques in Health Promotion, and Implementation of Health Promotion Programs for community health workers. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
12. San Jose State University
Tuition: $21,763
The affordable accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is available from San Jose State University is offered as a two-year program that was designed for working adults. This is a low-residency online program; students will be required to attend campus for four days every year and are housed in cohort groups. The curriculum was built to be sequential, meaning that students may only take courses with their cohort and complete the program in two years; a full-time option is not available.
Students will find that all of their courses are delivered through the school’s virtual portal; each class is held live one night a week for the convenience of working professionals. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 42 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses community health workers include Leadership for Health Professionals, public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, community health educators, Applied Data Analysis, and Theoretical Foundations of Public Health. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
11. Trident University
Tuition: $20,400
Trident University provides students interested in managerial positions with an accelerated Master’s in Health Education programs that will help them reach that goal. This is a 100 percent online program with no residency requirements that can be completed in two years or less. There are four concentrations available with this degree: Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Health Education degree, and Public Health; it is also possible to earn a graduate stand-alone certificate in Health Education degree.
Students will find all of their courses available online through the school’s learning management system, where courses are delivered as live or on-demand offerings and are completed in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students will be able to complete this degree in two years or less when they take two courses every term. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 36 quarter credit hours, the MSHS Integrative Project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Research Methods for Health Sciences, health care facilities, communication strategies, community health educators, Health Care Delivery Systems, promote health, and Perspectives in Community Health Education degree programs. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
10. Lamar University
Tuition: $18,324
Students at Lamar University are offered the chance to complete an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs alternative. This program was built for professionals who work in, or wish to work in, the community health setting. This is a 100 percent online degree that does not require campus residency. Students who take on this degree will be eligible to sit for the Career Health Education Specialist certification; those who are interested in the certificate must choose the coursework-only option to be eligible.
Students will complete all of their coursework online; courses are delivered as live or on-demand offerings that follow a 15-week term format. Students who complete this degree as a full-time plan of study will graduate within two years. This degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Health Program Administration, Educational Foundations Technology, health systems, promote health, and Development and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
9. Touro University Worldwide
Tuition: $18,000
Touro University Worldwide is home to an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Health Education that was designed for both in-service and pre-service professionals. This degree is best suited for professionals who are interested in being promoted within the industry. The program was designed to align with the competencies put forth by the National Commission for Health Education programs; this makes it possible for students to be eligible to sit for the exams necessary to obtain the Certified Health Education Specialists and Master Certified Health Education Specialists.
The curriculum is held entirely online; students will not be required to attend campus for any reason. All courses are offered online through the school’s learning management system; courses are either live or on-demand and follow the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. More information can be accessed by contacting the department directly. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
8. Mississippi State University
Tuition: $16,484
Students who enroll at Mississippi State University are offered the chance to complete an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education program and was designed for professionals interested in upward mobility within the field. This degree was built to be completed entirely online and within two years. Students will never have to attend campus and will instead participate in their courses online through the school’s virtual portal.
Courses are held asynchronously or synchronously and in the traditional 16-week academic term format. This degree offers students the chance to choose their culminating experience; applied projects or a thesis are among the options. Other requirements for this degree include a minimum of 36 credit hours and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Design and Administration of Health Promotion Programs, health systems, Theory and Practice of Health Education, and School and Community Drug Use Prevention. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
7. East Stroudsburg University
Tuition: $15,780
East Stroudsburg University provides ambitious students with an accelerated online Master in Health Education. Professionals in this field will benefit from the fact that this degree is available 100 percent online and does not require any campus residencies. This program was recently redeveloped and is based on competencies, specifically those put forth by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing; students will note that if they are interested in certification, this program may not fulfill all of the educational requirements needed to become eligible to sit for the exam.
All courses are available through the school’s learning management system and are offered as asynchronous or synchronous sessions that last for 16 weeks. This degree requires that students complete 30 credit hours of coursework, an independent research project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Advocacy and Leadership in Health Education, Research Methods in Health Education, communication strategies, health systems, and Scientific Foundations in Health Education. Financial aid is available to those in need upon request.
6. Concord University
Tuition: $15,510
The accelerated online master that is available from Concord University is perfect for working professionals who are interested in advancing in their current careers. This degree will prepare students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination. Students will find that this is a self-directed and 100 percent online course of study, one that can be completed in just two years. All courses for this program are available online through the school’s virtual portal and are delivered either live or on-demand; courses run in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students who study part-time will graduate within two years. This degree requires 33 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Program Planning and Evaluation, Advanced Content, and Research in the Health Sciences.
5. New Mexico State University
Tuition: $12,663
New Mexico State University is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education. This degree is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements or in a hybrid format. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health; the school is also a member of the Council of Accredited MPH Programs. Students will find that this degree can be completed entirely through the school’s learning management system; all courses are offered asynchronously and are held in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students who complete this as a full-course program of study will be able to graduate within two years. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 41 credit hours, a thesis, a fieldwork experience, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Foundations of Public Health Education, Techniques of Health Communication and Education, and Evaluative Approaches in Public Health.
4. Mississippi University for Women
Tuition: $12,296
Students enrolled at the Mississippi University for Women is home to an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Health Education. This program was designed specifically for working professionals who are interested in moving into administrative or leadership positions. This degree is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements. Students who graduate will be eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam. This degree is offered wholly through the school’s virtual portal, where courses are offered live or on-demand and in 16-week academic terms. Students will be able to complete this degree in two years when they choose to study full-time. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 39 credit hours, a culminating experience, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Community Health Education Methods, Gender Issues in Health, and Health Program Evaluation.
3. The University of the Cumberlands
Tuition: $9,700
The University of the Cumberlands is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that will provide them with a strong understanding of how health plays a role in society. This degree comes with two concentrations: Health and Fitness Promotion or Coaching and Fitness Leadership. The program was created to provide working professionals with a 100 percent online degree that has no residency requirements. All courses are completed through the school’s online learning management system; courses are delivered either as asynchronous or synchronous sessions that run in 16-week terms. Students who take two courses every term, including one summer term, will graduate within two years. This degree requires that students complete 30 credit hours of coursework, a program portfolio, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Current Issues in Health Promotion, Research Methods, and Strength and Conditioning.
2. East Carolina University
Tuition: $8,974
The accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is provided by East Carolina University is a great choice for professionals who are interested in moving into managerial roles in community or clinical settings. This is a 100 percent online degree; there are no residency requirements. Students will take all of their courses through the school’s state-of-the-art virtual portal, where classes are either live or on-demand and offered in 16-week sessions. Students who complete three courses every term will be eligible for graduation in two years. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. More information on this degree can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
1. Western Carolina University
Tuition: $8,137
Western Carolina University confers an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs that is designed to focus a student’s education on advanced principles in the field. This is a 100 percent online course of study; there are no residency requirements. This degree has three concentrations: Emergency Medical Care, Health Education, or Health Management. All courses for this degree are available online through the school’s learning management system in the form of live or on-demand sessions offered in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students who take three courses every term will be eligible for graduation in two years. This degree requires that students complete 33 credit hours of coursework, a culminating experience, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Educational Technology in Health Sciences, Theoretical Foundations of Public Health, and Ethics in Educational Leadership.
What are the Career Options for an Affordable Accelerated Master’s in Health Education?
- Healthcare Administrator
- Biostatistician
- Certified Education Specialist
- Director of Education and Outreach
- Community Health Program Representative
- Certified Education Specialist
- Health and Safety Engineer
- Population Health Promotion Specialist
- Healthcare Promotional Specialist
- Environment Scientist
- Community Promotion Specialist
- Health Education Expert
- Community Health Education Coordinator
- Product Development Specialist
- Health Professions Education Specialist
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The median salary for health educators is currently $51,960. The salary range for this field is $30,250 to $92,950. This range includes positions in both the public and private sectors as well as jobs in different industries. It also includes positions that are held overseas from American and international companies and non-profit organizations. The salary range does not include bonus forms of compensation or benefits packages that may have monetary incentives.
Professionals will note that specific skills will inform their salary packages in the health education industry. For example, a professional who is bilingual will find high-paying jobs in metropolitan areas that have a large population of Spanish-speaking people. Other skills, such as a specialization in rural areas or cultural diversity, are also in demand from companies all over the country. If a professional has these skills or is interested in obtaining them, they will have a great shot at getting a high-paying position once they have graduated with a master’s degree.
What are the Various Disciplines of Health Education?
Health Education is one of the core disciplines of the public health field; it is usually mentioned in conjunction with health promotion. Professionals in this field focus on the education of the public in health-related matters, such as hygiene tips as well as information relating to epidemics and food recalls. This means that the core disciplines these professionals work in are healthcare, education, and promotion.
Because the field focuses so much on health education, it can be difficult to name all of the disciplines at play. For example, the field includes foodborne illnesses, widespread diseases, sexual health, addiction, prescription protocols, and self-care. These specialties are within health education. Professionals will generally pick one or two of these areas to specialize in once they move into graduate education.
There are other common disciplines at play in the field, however. These include communication, media, research, academic writing, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and more. Economics, law, and policy also play a large role in how the field works. Professionals, regardless of their chosen specialization, will need to have a comprehensive understanding of these disciplines in order to be qualified candidates in the field
Health education is something that society is used to; from health classes in middle school up to the government’s continued promotion of good health habits and information about public health crises, individuals are helped by the continued efforts of health educators. However, the industry requires more qualified candidates in mid-level to senior-level roles in order to ensure that the high standard set by the industry currently works under is kept up. An accelerated online Master’s in Health Education programs is the best avenue forward for working professionals who are committed to serving the public in this continued role and this ranking was created to help those individuals find the best program for them and their needs.
Related:
TOP 25 MOST AFFORDABLE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ONLINE PROGRAMS
30 PROS AND CONS FOR GETTING A FAST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE
ARE ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS EASIER TO GET INTO?
