Master of Science in Health Science
Please note, admission to this program is currently suspended to new students.
The Master of Science program is designed to provide students with:
- 1. an intensive study of health education concepts, theories, and processes;
- 2. an introduction to public health concepts and issues; and
- 3. research methodology and skills appropriate to an in-depth examination of a public health topic.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply both to the Department and the University. University application is found at http://www.csumentor.edu. Department application is found a:t http://www.csulb.edu/health-science
1. Each applicant must request that a copy of official transcript(s) of all work to 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 that 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 program. If any prerequisite is outdated, it may be repeated or credit may be obtained by (1) written examination on the subject matter or (2) providing documented evidence of currency in the subject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 after petitioning for conditional admission into the program through the Director of Graduate Studies.
4. Acceptance by the University as a student with graduate standing.
5. A maximum of 9 units of approved 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 the analytic, quantitative and verbal scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
7. Copy of the CSU graduate application completed through CSU Mentor.
8. Three letters of recommendation from persons with whom the candidate has worked and/or who have direct knowledge of the applicant's professional or academic potential as a community 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 work experience.
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; and
- C. complete H SC 500, H SC 503, and H SC 570;
2. Approval by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Associate Dean of Academic Programs of the College of Health and Human Services.
Requirements
1. A minimum of 43 units of approved upper division and graduate courses including:
- A. 21 units of H SC courses, which include the following:
- HCA 502 The Health Care System (3)
Prerequisite: None.
- H SC 440 Applied Concepts of Health Science (3)
Prerequisite: HSC 430. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or successfully completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
- H SC 500 Principles of Epidemiology (3)
Prerequisite: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- H SC 503 Advanced Community Health Statistics (3)
Prerequisite: HSC 403 or equivalent.
- H SC 570 Theoretical Concepts and Issues in Health Science (3)
Prerequisite: None.
- H SC 581 Curriculum Development in Health Education (3)
Prerequisite:Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field.
- H SC 696 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate major in Health Science or related field; undergraduate course in statistics.
- B. 18 units of electives in a specialty field;
- C. 4 units of the following:
- H SC 698 Thesis (1-3)
Prerequisite: HSC 696, advancement to candidacy.
2. A thesis with an oral exam.
