Master of Public Health in Community Health Education 

Promoting Health, Engaging Communities, Changing Lives

UNCG MPH Program Mission

The UNCG MPH program prepares community health education practitioners committed to promoting the health of communities.

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Goal 1: Teaching

The PHE-MPH program offers classroom, field, and professional development experiences that afford students the opportunity to acquire and apply core public health and health education knowledge areas.

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Goal 2: Scholarship and Research

The PHE faculty and students will engage in the pursuit of new public health and health education knowledge.

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Goal 3: Service

The PHE faculty and students will provide service to the profession and local, state and national communities.

UNCG MPH Curriculum

Our MPH curriculum is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the professional requirements are based on the recommendations of the Joint Commission of the Society of Public Health Education and the American Association for Health Education. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national credentialing exam for the profession and become a Master’s Certified Health Education Specialist. The MPH program requires 45 semester hours of specified, sequential courses including an internship. By the end of the program students will have preparation in the Core Areas of Public Health (biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health administration, and social and behavioral sciences) and in the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists (assessment, program planning, implementation, evaluation, administration and management, resource, and communication and advocacy).

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Innovative Features

The MPH program at UNCG emphasizes reflective practice, a theoretical base, network development, leadership development and cooperation and collaboration with community health organizations. Throughout the curriculum, special attention is given to community involvement, effective communication, and uses of technology. Graduates of the program gain the knowledge and skills necessary to promote health and prevent infectious and chronic diseases, injuries, and the consequences of disasters.

The curriculum emphasizes the application of health education skills and knowledge with a variety of community populations, as well as the practical application of research findings to health problems and includes preparation in the core areas of public health. Throughout the curriculum, special attention is given to community engagement. During their coursework, students will develop an e-Portfolio that can be used to market themselves to future employees.

As part of their graduate studies, students are required to complete an internship in a community health agency. Prior to the internship/practicum, students plan their work in an applied program planning class. These two courses and the experiences they provide constitute the Capstone Experience of the MPH program.