Master of Public Health - Option in Community Health Education
The Master of Public Health in Community Health provides an opportunity for students: to specialize in community health education and health promotion within the general context of Public Health; to increase competence in designing, implementing, and evaluating social behavior changes programs in preparation for serving in various health agencies; prepare for teaching at college and university levels; and for administrative positions in public and private health agencies.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply both to the Department and the University. Applications are available online at www.csulb.edu/health-science.
1. Each applicant must request that a copy of official transcript(s) of all work be sent to the university's Office of Enrollment Services.
2. A bachelor's degree with a major in health education, which articulates with the course requirements for the same degree at California State University, Long Beach; or a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 21 units of upper division course work comparable to those required of the Health Science major at the University; or a bachelor's degree in a related discipline and willingness to make up any deficiencies in prerequisite Health Science courses. Prerequisite for all courses carrying graduate credit must have been completed within seven years of acceptance to the graduate program. If any prerequisite is outdated, it must be repeated. Credit may be obtained by (1) written examination on the subject matter or (2) providing documented evidence of currency in the subject area.
3. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 units of undergraduate units attempted, but who show promise in all other aspects, may be given special consideration by the admissions committee for conditional admission into the program.
4. Acceptance by the University as a student with graduate standing.
5. A maximum of 9 units of graduate work at the post-baccalaureate level may be credited to a student's program requirements upon departmental acceptance to the graduate program.
6. Submission of analytic, quantitative and verbal scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to the University.
7. Submission, through CSU Mentor, of a copy of the CSU graduate application.
8. Three letters of recommendation from persons with whom the applicant has worked and/or who have direct knowledge of the applicant's professional and academic potential as a health educator.
9. A separate personal statement of reasons for pursuing this field of study and comments about interests and experience that are germane to career objectives. Submit a personal resume reflecting the applicant's education and relevant experience.
10. At least one year's full-time (or equivalent) paid or volunteer experience in Health Education or a closely related health field. Preference will be given to those with greater experience and ability.
Advancement to Candidacy
1. Satisfy the general university requirements for advancement to candidacy:
- A. Fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR);
- B. Maintain at least a 3.0 average for all course work attempted as a graduate student;
- C. Complete the following: H SC 500, H SC 503, H SC 570
2. Approval by the Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the College of Health and Human Services.
Requirements - Comprehensive Exam Option
1. A minimum of 42 units of approved upper-division and graduate-level courses including:
- A. 39 units of core classes including:
- HSC 500 Principles of Epidemiology (3)
rerequisites: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- HCA 502 The Health Care System (3)
Prerequisite: None
- HSC 503 Advanced Community Health Statistics (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- HSC 508 Administrative Relationships in Health Education Programs (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field.
- HSC 528 Advanced Environmental Health (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 500.
- H SC 570 Theoretical Concepts and Issues in Health Science (3)
Prerequisites: None.
- H SC 581 Curriculum Dev in Health Education (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field..
- H SC 585 Health Education Internship (1-6)
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy or consent of instructor.
- HSC 624 Seminar in Community Analysis and Program Planning (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field; HSC 402 or department consent.
- HSC 625 Advanced Community Health Education (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field; HSC 624 or department consent.
- H SC 626 Integrative Seminar in Public Health (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 570, advancement to candidacy.
- HSC 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 500, HSC 503
- B. 3 units of electives at the 500/600 level;
A comprehensive written examination (see department for guidelines) or a thesis with an oral exam. (Note: In order to satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity.)
Requirements - Thesis Option
1. A minimum of 42 units of approved upper-division and graduate-level courses including:
- A. 39 units of core classes including:
- HSC 500 Principles of Epidemiology (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- HCA 502 The Health Care System (3)
Prerequisite: None
- HSC 503 Advanced Community Health Statistics (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- HSC 508 Administrative Relationships in Health Education Programs (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field.
- HSC 528 Advanced Environmental Health (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 500.
- H SC 570 Theoretical Concepts and Issues in Health Science (3)
Prerequisites: None.
- H SC 581 Curriculum Dev in Health Education (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field..
- H SC 585 Health Education Internship (1-6)
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy or consent of instructor.
- HSC 624 Seminar in Community Analysis and Program Planning (3)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field; HSC 402 or department consent.
- H SC 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: HSC 500, HSC 503
- H SC 698 Thesis (1-6)
Prerequisite: HSC 503, HSC 570, HSC 696 and advancement to candidacy.
- B. 9-12 units of electives in a specialty field at the 500/600 level; A thesis with an oral exam.
