The 20 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Health Education Degree Programs

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

–Benjamin Franklin

Gone are the days of reactionary medicine. The future of healthcare is built around a preventative model, in which patients are given the knowledge and tools to make optimal wellness choices. To educate and empower patients, highly competent Health Educators are essential. These individuals have comprehensive knowledge of health and wellness issues and their underlying causes, a broad understanding of healthcare delivery systems, and the communication and advocacy skills to serve as agents of change at the individual, organizational, and community levels. How does one become such an influential wellness leader? Through the training provided in a Master’s in Health Education degree program.

If you have a passion for wellness, and the drive to help others lead healthier lives, a Master’s in Health Education could be the right choice for you. Your work can have a tangible positive impact by helping people to live longer, healthier lives. Health Educators work in fitness facilities, schools, corporate offices, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. They analyze data, assess health needs, design and implement interventions, quantify outcomes, write grants, advocate for patients, and organize communities. They take on tough health challenges like obesity, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, HIV prevention, and infectious diseases through innovative, pro-active approaches. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of Health Education is expected to grow by 21% by 2022, and an affordable online master’s degree provides the training necessary to take on a prominent role in the field.

An online master’s degree in Health Education typically covers courses in Research Methods, Health Education Program Design and Implementation, Behavioral and Social Theory, Grant Writing, and Epidemiology. Most take two years to complete on a full-time basis, and many require a capstone thesis or research project, or an experiential learning component, such as a practicum. Many online master’s programs prepare students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, or require that they do so as part of the degree program. Fortunately for future health educators, there are a great number of high-quality online master’s degree programs that offer affordable tuition along with outstanding academics. We’ve researched a broad selection of the graduate degrees currently available online, to bring you the best and most affordable programs. Read on to find an affordable graduate degree option that fits your health education goals, and get started on a career that truly helps your whole community to thrive.

1. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama (UA) is a public research university based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This large, old and prestigious school is the flagship of the University of Alabama System, as well as a sea-grant and space-grant institution. UA dates back as far as 1820, just after the founding of the state of Alabama itself, making it the oldest institute of higher learning in the state. It is also one of the largest, with a total enrollment of 38,563 students. AU is organized into 13 academic divisions, including the state’s largest schools of law and engineering, and awards a total of 117 areas of study leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. This rigorous school is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a “doctoral university with very high research activity,” and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as 110th in National Universities and 51st in Top Public Schools, as well as 76th in Best Value Schools, in recognition of the school’s affordable tuition. Since 1919, the school has administered a College of Continuing Studies which educates nontraditional learners, and currently encompasses UA’s popular division of distance learning, which offers a wide array of affordable online degrees.

The University of Alabama offers a remarkably affordable master’s in health education through “Bama by Distance,” their online academic division. The online degree is granted as a Master of Arts in Health Studies (Health Promotion), and has the same academic rigor and prestige of UA’s on-campus graduate program. The curriculum prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exam. The degree requires the fulfillment of 30 credit hours, with 18 credits in required classes and a generous 12 credits in electives. Classes include Health Behavior, Health Promotion Techniques, Organization and Implementation of Health Education, and Evaluation in Health Education. The online master’s can be completed in less than two years at a reasonable pace of two courses per semester, allowing even busy working adults to earn this master’s degree at an accelerated pace. UA also offers credit for prior education, training, and professional experience, potentially further shortening students’ pace of completion. Tuition for this rigorous and flexible online master’s costs just $394 per credit hour, making the degree from the UA our number one choice for Most Affordable Master’s in Health Education.

2. Walden University

Walden University is a private university which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and offers classes and degree programs entirely online. The school was founded in 1970 in order to help working adults, primarily teachers, pursue doctoral degrees while retaining full-time employment. Today, Walden awards a total of 140 degree programs with over 300 possible concentrations, and serves a total of 51,016 online students at the undergraduate and graduate level. Walden is dedicated to affordable and professionally-relevant education, and popular areas of study include healthcare, criminal justice, human services, business, management, psychology, social work, nursing, and public administration.

Walden University confers an exceptionally affordable and flexible master’s in health education. The Master of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion is available in a General Track or in five optional specializations: Emergency Preparedness, Health Policy and Advocacy, Population Health, Self-Designed, and Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The General degree consists of 50 total quarter credits: 5 in Foundation courses, 35 in Core courses, 5 in an Elective course, and a culminating 5-credit Capstone course. Concentrations require the completion of three specialization courses, which vary by concentration. Classes for this affordable degree have highly practical topics such as Socioecological Perspectives on Health, Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation, Health Education and Communication Strategies, Applied Research in Public Health, Public Health Administration and Leadership, and Grant Writing. Tuition for this online master’s in exceptionally affordable at only $440 per credit hour.

3. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU), officially “The Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science,” is a public research university based in Starkville, Mississippi. The school was founded back in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. Nowadays, it is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant university, and the Carnegie Foundation classifies MSU as a “doctoral university with higher research activity.” MSU has the largest campus in the state by enrollment, with a total of 21,353 students. The university is divided into 12 schools and colleges, with no less than 180 affordable and respected associate’s, bachelor’s master’s and doctoral degrees available, including the state’s only degrees in architecture and veterinary medicine. MSU is ranked 171st in National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, as well as 90th in Top Public Schools.

Mississippi State University confers a respected and affordable online master’s in health education through its Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. The curriculum is broad and integrative, with a strong focus on preventative wellness. The degree requires a minimum of 33 hours: 9-12 hours in Research Methods, 15 in Core Courses, and 6-9 hours in electives. Students have the option of choosing between a research-focused Thesis Option or project-based Non-Thesis Option. Class topics cover selections such as Theory and Practice of Health Education, School and Community Drug Use Prevention, Behavioral Epidemiology, and Design and Administration of Health Promotion Programs. Graduates of this affordable and respected program have found employment at such prestigious institutions as the CDC, WHO, and the Public Health Prevention Service. With an extremely affordable tuition of $474 per credit, the online master’s in health education from MSU merits top billing in our ranking of 20 Most Affordable Master’s in Health Education.

4. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global (PG) is an independent public university belonging to the Purdue University system, a statewide system based in Indiana, which also includes four traditional campuses, extension centers, and a statewide technology program. PG was formed in 2018, when Purdue University acquired Kaplan University, a large and widespread distance learning institution founded in 1937. PG serves a student body of approximately 30,000, the vast majority of whom are enrolled in online degree programs and classes. On-campus learners attend classes at any of 14 PG locations based in Maryland, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The university offers both traditional instructor-led classes and competency-based education, and awards certificates and associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Affordable tuition and career-oriented studies are stressed, and include such disciplines as Nursing, Healthcare, Social Work, Business, Law, and Information Technology.

Purdue University Global has a notably accessible, flexible and affordable online master’s in health education, which includes multiple credit pathways. This comprehensive Master of Science curriculum covers topics in health awareness program design and implementation, topical research, multicultural issues, current developments in healthcare, and professional ethical standards. Classes cover topics like Community Health Assessment, Health Education Design, Implementation, and Administration, Health Behavior, Environmental Health, and Health Education and Communication. Graduation requires a total of 56 credits in all. Students can receive credit towards their degree not only for prior coursework, but also for work and life experiences, and professional or military training, making the path to their online master’s degree potentially faster and more affordable. All online students complete an onsite fieldwork-based experience as part of their studies, and the program has multiple start dates, allowing students to begin their studies as soon as they are read\y. This flexible degree is available for the affordable price of just $485 per credit.

5. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina (USC) is a public research university which is located in in Columbia, South Carolina, with an additional 7 satellite campuses. It is the flagship institution of the University of South Carolina System. USC was established in 1801 as South Carolina College, with an initial enrollment of just 9 students. The school has since become the largest in the Carolinas, and currently serves a total of 34,731 learners, and has over 350 degree programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. USC operates schools of law business, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, and social work. It is one of only 32 public schools to have earned the Carnegie Foundation’s top-tier designations in both research activity and community engagement. USC is also a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, in the nation’s top 3% for graduating African-American students, and among the nation’s top 25 for work-ready graduates, as defined by Times Higher Education Employability Ranking. The school is widely recognized as a top value public school for its excellent blend of academic quality and affordable tuition, and was designated as a “Best Value in Public Colleges” by the Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s. U.S. News and World Report ranks USC 103rd in National Universities, 142nd in Best Value Schools, and 46th in Top Public Schools.

The University of South Carolina offers multiple online master’s degrees in health education, along with other online graduate degrees in the field. USC’s certificate, master’s and doctoral programs in Health Promotion, Education & Behavior feature a strong interdisciplinary and collaborative orientation. Students pursuing an online master’s degree in the field can choose between a Master of Public Health, a Master of Science in Public Health, and a dual Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health. The former degree provides prepares graduates to become practitioners in community, nonprofit, or school settings, and comprises 45 credits, including a six-hour practicum. The online Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior degree is also offered in an accelerated format. The Master of Science in Public Health in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior degree, on the other hand, is intended for those training as specialists. The 45-credit program includes a six-credit thesis component, making this an excellent choice for those planning on pursuing doctoral-level studies. Finally, the The dual MSW/MPH degree program is aimed at training graduates for work in hospitals, health departments and healthcare corporations, and encompasses two desperate, complimentary master’s degrees. The MSW/MPH comprises 84 credit hours, including a three-credit public health practicum. Each of these rigorous and distinctive degrees is available at the affordable price of $533 per hour.

6. University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. The university was founded back in 1853, as the East Florida Seminary, which merged with the Florida Agricultural College in 1884. UF has since become a large and prestigious institution known for rigorous academics and affordable tuition. The university is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institute, and a member of the elite Association of American Universities (AAU). The school is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and serves a massive student body of 39,595 undergraduates and 16,297 graduate students from its sprawling, 2,000-acre campus. UF is the third-largest school in the state and the nation’s eighth-largest single-campus university. The institute is organized into sixteen academic colleges with over 150 research centers, and awards degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s master’s and doctoral levels. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a doctoral university with “very high research activity,” and has earned top marks from U.S. News and World Report, with ranks UF 9th in Top Public Schools, 42nd in National Universities, and 93rd in Best Value Schools.

The online master’s in health education available through the University of Florida is both prestigious and affordable. The school’s The Master of Science in Health Education and Behavior is designed for students whose career goals include becoming advanced practitioners in nonprofit or healthcare settings. The curriculum is based around external standards set forth by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), and prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, which is required for graduation. This flexible, 30-credit master’s program includes a full 15 credits of health education electives, allowing online students to pursue and develop their personal and professional interests. Core courses include Philosophy & Principles of Health Education, Planning Health Education Programs, Epidemiology, and Evaluating Health Education Programs. Tuition for this respected and flexible online master’s degree is remarkably affordable at only $550 per credit.

7. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public research institute which is based in Cleveland, Ohio. CSU was formal established in 1964, when it took over the facilities, faculty and 2,500 students of Fenn College, an institute dating back as far as 1923. in 1969, CSU took over the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969, Ohio’s first evening school of law and one of the first law schools to admit women and minorities. In the same year, CSU became a member of the University System of Ohio. Today, the university has an enrollment of 17,290 students and offers more than 200 academic programs, with affordable tuition and a broad range of on-campus and online studies. It encompasses eight colleges, including schools of Business, Education and Human Services, Urban Affairs, Engineering, Graduate Studies, and Law. Through Project 60, CSU offers free classes to senior citizens, and the school maintains over 250 partnerships with businesses and organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and NASA Glenn Research Center. U.S. News and World Report ranks CSU 231st in National Universities.

Cleveland State University offers an affordable and flexible master’s in health education, which features a high proportion of elective courses. The online Master of Education in Community Health Promotion degree is designed for students holding an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as healthcare administration, allied or community health, nursing, physical education, social work, psychology, or sociology, or those with two or more years’ field experience. The online master’s degree requires the completion of 31 credits, and a full 18 of these are Health Education and Promotion electives, giving students a wide latitude to pursue their individual interests in the field of health education. Core classes include Methods and Techniques of Research and Evaluation, Grants and Fiscal Management, Health Promotion Delivery Strategies, and the program concludes with a single-credit Capstone Course. Electives cover such specialized health and wellness topics as sexuality, substance abuse, and nutrition. This flexible master’s degree is highly affordable, with tuition set at $556 per credit.

8. Liberty University

Liberty University is a nonprofit, private, evangelical Christian school located in Lynchburg, West Virginia. Liberty was established by the popular televangelist, reverend Jerry Falwell in 1971. It has since become the world’s largest Christian university, with a total enrollment of 110,000 students, the majority of whom are enrolled in the school’s popular online degree programs. Liberty offers a wide range of both online and on-campus degree programs, including 297 bachelors, 315 masters, and 32 doctoral degrees. Liberty is organized into 17 colleges, including schools of law, medicine, business, divinity, aeronautics, engineering, visual and performing art, and osteopathic medicine. The vast campus is one of the nation’s ten biggest, and spans 7,000 acres. Student housing is extensive, with 30 student dormitories, and well-appointed, with each dorm room equipped with a private bathroom and kitchen. Outside of class, student residents can take advantage of extensive recreational facilities such as a motocross facility, archery range and ice skating rink. U.S. News and World Report ranks Liberty 231st in National Universities, and the Carnegie Foundation has designated the university as a “research university of moderate research activity.”

Liberty University confers an accelerated and affordable master’s in healthcare education through its extensive School fo Health Sciences. The Online Master of Public Health – Health Promotion Degree is designed for students interested in pursuing a position in healthcare management, healthcare advocacy, or other healthcare-focused business, and trains students to pursue solutions to healthcare obstacles, understand best practices in disease prevention, and conduct nutritional consulting. The curriculum covers such practical and in-demand content areas as biostatistics, social and behavioral theory, environmental health, epidemiology, public health administration, and research methods. In addition to online classwork, all students in this rigorous and affordable program are required to complete a 120-hour practicum to develop hands-on skills. The entire online master’s degree can be completed in just 1.5 years, making this degree fast as well as affordable. The 41 required credits encompass 18 hours in core courses, 18 in the Health Promotion concentration and another 8 in health education electives. Up to half of the required credits may be transferred in from prior coursework at another institution. Liberty’s master’s in health education is very affordable at a cost of $565 per credit.

9. Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi University for Women (MUW) public university which is based in Columbus, Mississippi. Despite its name, MUW is a co-educational school, having begun admitting men in 1982, and which now has about 19% male students. The university was established in 1884 as the first public women’s college in the nation, and was originally focused on liberal arts and vocational studies. Today, the school awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees, and the most popular areas of study at MUW are Nursing, Elementary Education, and Psychology. The school has a totAl enrollment of 2,428 and a very low student to faculty ratio of 12 to one. U.S. News and World Report ranks this notably affordable and high-quality school 52nd in Regional Universities South, as well as 48th in Best Value Schools, and 19th in Top Public Schools.

Mississippi University for Women accords a highly comprehensive online master’s in health education. This high quality and affordable Master of Science in Health Education has a unique emphasis on women’s health issues and diverse populations. Students enrolled in the program are required to take the Certified Health Education Specialist Exam
(CHES) exam, perform an internship, research project or thesis, and to successfully complete a graduate portfolio demonstrating their practical understanding of the field. The curriculum covers a total of 39 credits, with 27 hours in Core Classes and another 6 in electives. Core courses cover such topics as Foundations of Health Education, Community Health Education Methods, Epidemiology, Health Program Evaluation, and Theories of Health Behavior. This extensive online master’s degree program thoroughly prepares graduates for success in the health care field, and is available for the affordable tuition of $587 per credit.

10. Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University (PSU) is a public university located in Plymouth, New Hampshire. PSU dates back to 1871, when it was founded as Plymouth Normal School, a teacher training institute, becoming a state university in 2003. Today, PSU is a member of the University System of New Hampshire, and boasts affordable tuition and small class sizes, with a student to faculty ratio of 17 to one. The university has an enrollment of 6,300 students enrolled in associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In addition to its original programs in the field of education, PSU is currently known for strengths in the fields of meteorology, business, natural sciences, visual and performing arts, and psychology. The PSU motto, “Ut prosim” (That I may serve) reflects its commitment to service learning and engagement. Students volunteer for as many as 220,000 hours per school year, and the Carnegie Foundation has recognized the school as a “Community Engaged University.” U.S. News and World Report ranks the university 115th in Regional Universities North, as well as 35th in Top Public Schools.

Plymouth State University has a highly flexible and notably affordable master’s in healthcare education, available through online, hybrid, face-to-face, intensive weekends, or in-class sessions. Students enrolled in the Master of Education degree program can choose to pursue a general Health Education Masters Degree or opt for one of three concentrations: Eating Disorders, Health Promotion, or K–12 Certification. The latter concentration leads specifically leads to endorsement for New Hampshire certification as a K-12 Health Education teacher, while the specializations in Eating Disorders and Health Promotion are designed more broadly for those interested in these health care approaches. Core classes include Behavior in a Diverse Society, Philosophy, Ethics, and Education, and Research Design. In keeping with PSU’s focus on experiential learning, each degree track includes a Capstone course involving a practicum, thesis or research project. This high-quality, specialized and hands-on master’s degree has an affordable price of $683 per credit.

11. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health (NMC) is a private, not-for-profit institute which is based in Omaha, Nebraska. The school was founded in 1891 and delivers 42 certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in nursing and allied health to about 1,100 students. Class sizes are small, and 90% of NMC instructors hold advanced or terminal degrees in their fields. The college is affiliated with the Nebraska Methodist Health System, one of the state’s largest health systems, and the campus is home to 10 state-of-art laboratories. Students at NMC develop practical healthcare skills through service-learning experiences, small class environments, community-based education, and leadership development. In addition to Nursing, NMC administers programs in Sonography, Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology, Healthcare Management, and Occupational Therapy.

12. University of Illinois at Chicago

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a public research university based in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1965 and is the second-oldest member of the University of Illinois system. With a student body of 30,539, it is the largest school in the greater Chicago area. UIC is organized into 15 colleges, including the nation’s largest medical school, whose research expenditures top $412 million. The Carnegie Foundation has designated UIC as a “doctoral research university with very high research activity.” UIC is especially noted for outstanding offerings in the fields of business, medicine, social science, life sciences, and mathematics. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings awarded the school 63rd in the nation and 200th globally. U.S. News and World Report ranks UIC 45th in National Universities, 73rd in Top Public Schools, and, in recognition of its low tuition and high academic rigor, 124th in Best Value Schools.

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers an affordable and prestigious master’s in Health Education online, with a 5-day on-campus orientation session. The Master of Health Professions- Education is offered through UIC’s highly respected School of Medicine, and is designed to produce leaders who are equipped to manage change, overcome organizational barriers, and shape the future of health care organizations and delivery systems. The degree requires the completion of 32 credit hours, comprising five core courses, health education-related electives, and a research-based thesis. Core classes include Scholarship in Health Professions Education, Instruction and Assessment, Curriculum and Program Evaluation in Health Professions Education, and Leadership. Students may opt to pursue an Independent Study as one of their electives, allowing a broad degree of personalization. This flexible online master’s degree has an affordable price of $777 per credit.

13. Maryland University of Integrative Health

Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is the nation’s leading school for integrative medicine, and one of the few graduate schools fully dedicated to this specific discipline. This private non-profit school began as an acupuncture clinic in 1974, and had developed into an acupuncture school by 1981, the first in the country to become accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Today, MUIH is a fully accredited graduate school entirely dedicated to integrative health, and offers holistic and relationship-centered programs which blend traditional healing practices and modern science. MUIH offers holistic and affordable doctoral and master’s degrees, graduate, post-master’s, and post-bachelor’s certificates, as well as continuing education from their campus in Laurel, Maryland and online.

Maryland University of Integrative Health offers a holistic and affordable online master’s in health education which is widely recognized for quality and value. The Master of Science in Health Promotion degree is designed to develop in-depth knowledge of the psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting health, and the practical skills to develop programs and interventions to address these influences in order to promote wellness. The 33-34-credit curriculum incorporates such integrative health principles and practices as mindfulness, movement, physical activity, and functional nutrition. This flexible and affordable online degree program offers the opportunity to pursue with of two concentrations: community health education and workplace wellness. Both tracks make graduates eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. Core course topics include Health Promotion Administration, Management and Resource Development, Health Education Needs Assessment and Program Planning, and Topics in Diversity for Health and Healing. Tuition is affordable at a price of $820 per credit.

14. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university which is located in Baltimore, Maryland, with a second campus in Washington, DC. Dating back to 1876, it is the first research university to have been founded in the United States, and currently serves 20,174 students through 10 academic divisions. It is a member of the Universities Research Association and a founding member of the prestigious American Association of Universities, and has been affiliated with a total of 37 Nobel laureates. This elite institution is widely recognized for outstanding academics, especially in the fields of medicine, music and education, and for relatively affordable tuition. Johns Hopkins is ranked 11th in National Universities, 19th in Best Value Schools, 2nd in Biomedical, and 9th in Environmental Health.

Johns Hopkins University has developed an affordable and prestigious online laster’s in health education through a collaboration between its highly-ranked schools of Business, Education, Nursing, Medicine, and Public Health. The innovative Master of Education in the Health Professions features hypothesis-driven and evidence-based teaching, leadership training, and fosters student research and publication. The program consists of 33 credits: 18 credits in the Evidence Based Teaching core, plus a 15 credit concentration in either educational research or educational leadership. Both concentrations allow students to further personalize their course of study through selections in projects, electives, and/or their practicum. Class topics include Evidence Based Teaching, Instructional Strategies, and Curriculum Development. An 18-credit Post-Master’s Certificate in Evidence-Based Teaching in the Health Professions is also available. This elite and flexible online master’s degree is surprisingly affordable, at a cost of $840 per credit.

15. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) is a public, sea grant research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, belonging to the University of North Carolina System. ECU was founded in 1907 as the East Carolina Teachers Training School, becoming a comprehensive college in 1951, and a university in 1967. With a student body of 27,386, it is the third-largest school in North Carolina, yet class sizes are small, with a student to faculty ratio of 17 to one. ECU operates 14 schools and colleges, including a school of medicine and a school of dentistry. The university emphasizes affordable tuition, experiential learning, and community engagement, and operates 8 dentistry community service learning centers in rural and underserved areas. ECU is also committed to research, and has made significant contributions to the fields of medicine, speech pathology, local archeology, and costal restoration. U.S. News and World Report ranks CTU 113rd in Top Public Schools and 207th in National Universities.

East Carolina University awards an accelerated and affordable online master’s in Health Education through its College of Health and Human Performance. The master of arts in health education degree equips graduates to effectively assess the health concerns of a population, to develop and implement strategic interventions, and to analyze health outcomes. The curriculum effectively prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam upon graduation. This master’s program is fast and flexible as well as affordable- the entire 36-credit program can be completed in as few as 18 months, and includes the option to pursue a thesis, coursework or internship track. Class subjects include titles such as Introduction to Epidemiology, Research Methods, Intervention Strategies, and Needs Assessment in Health Education and Promotion. Tuition for this well-rounded online master’s degree is affordable, costing $877 per credit.

16. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private, nonprofit Christian university which is located in Loma Linda, California. The school is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and was founded in 1905. LLU currently awards more than offers more than 100 degrees and certificates at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level, with a strong focus on medical and behavioral health, as well as religious studies. Total enrollment comes to 4,427, and some 23% of students are enrolled in distance learning programs. All on-campus and online degrees are taught from a Christian perspective, and emphasize hands-on training. The large suburban campus shares space with six hospitals, where students develop real-world skills through hands-on training.

Loma Linda University confers a holistic and affordable online master’s in health education which is rooted in Christian, Seventh Day Adventist values. The person-centered and wellness-oriented principles of this spiritual tradition are fused with established theories of learning and behavior, as well as evidence-based, scientific data through the curriculum. In addition to online classes, students in this affordable master’s program gain hands-on skills by completing a 400-hour practicum experience in a healthcare setting. The course of study is designed to prepare graduates to take the Credentialing Examination in Health Education, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) examination. The curriculum is both broad and comprehensive, totaling 56 credits in core health classes, major coursework, and electives. Class titles include Pharmacology, Child and Adolescent Health, Mind-Body Interactions and Health Outcomes, and Lifestyle Diseases and Risk Reduction. At a cost of $880, the Master of Public Health – Health Education degree from LLU is an affordable option.

17. The College at Brockport, State University of New York

The College at Brockport, State University of New York (SUNY Brockport) is a liberal arts college which is based in Brockport, New York. The school is a member of the State University of New York, and one of the most selective schools in the SUNY system. SUNY Brockport dates back as far as 1835, and serves a total of 8,243 students, offering 42 undergraduate majors, 29 graduate programs and 18 areas of teacher certification. Experiential learning is a major area of emphasis, and SUNY Brockport offers both extensive internship opportunities at community and corporate settings, as well as one of the nation’s biggest study abroad programs. The school is recognized for affordable tuition and strong academics; U.S. News and World Report ranks SUNY Brockport 69th in Best Value Schools, 19th in Top Public Schools, and 64th in Regional Universities North, and Kiplinger’s includes it among the nation’s top 100 “Best Value” public schools.

The College at Brockport, State University of New York accords an affordable and fully online master’s in health education, designed specifically for those planning to work in school settings. The Master of Science in School Health Education is offered through the school’s Department of Public Health and Health Education, and satisfies the academic requirements set forth by the New York State Department of Education for health teacher certification. The course of study comprises a total of 33 credits, with 27 credit hour in required core courses, and 6 credits in electives. Class subjects include Health education Curriculum Development, Teaching Methods & Strategies for School Health Education, and Communicating in Health Education. The program concludes with a three-credit Capstone Seminar & Field Experience, with the aim of synthesizing prior learning and developing real-world teaching skills. The master’s in health education from SUNY Brockport is an excellent value, with a cost per credit of $943.

18. Concord University

Concord University is a public liberal arts university based in the rural town of Athens, West Virginia, with an additional educational center located in the town of Beckley. Concord was established in 1872 as the Concord State Normal School, with an initial class of just 70 students. The school has since grown to serve some 3,000, and currently offers 15 undergraduate majors, as well as graduate degrees in Education, Health Promotion, and Social Work. The most popular areas of study are Liberal Arts, Business, and Education. Tuition at Concord is affordable, and class sizes are small, with a student to faculty ratio of 15 to one. U.S. News and World Report ranks Concord University 114th in Regional Universities South

Concord University awards a flexible and affordable online master’s in health education
The online Master of Arts in Health Promotion features a social and behavioral health emphasis and a range of practicum options, and focuses on primary prevention and community empowerment. The comprehensive online health education curriculum prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam. The 33-credit curriculum encompasses such class topics as Epidemiology in Health, Research in the Health Sciences, and Health Interventions for School-aged Children. The program concludes with a health education practicum, allowing students to develop hands-on skills in a professional setting. This practical online degree features an affordable tuition of $1100 per credit.

19. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public space-grant research university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a member of the University System of Ohio and the city’s oldest institute of higher education, dating back to 1819. It is also the state’s second-largest school, with 44,338 students in all. UC is traditionally strong in engineering and the physical sciences, and conducts extensive research. The school expends about $400 million on research annually, ranking 22nd among American public schools for research expenditures, and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation as a “Doctoral University with Highest Research Activity.” It is also recognized for experiential learning, and pioneered the co-operative education model back in 1906, through which students alternately pursue full-time academic studies and professional work in their field of study. UC offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, and more than 600 programs of study in all, including 81 associate’s, 114 bachelor’s, 105 master’s and 66 doctoral degrees, as well as 3 professional degrees. Both affordable and prestigious, UC is ranked 133rd in National Universities, 63rd in Top Public Schools, and 111th in Best Value Schools.

The University of Cincinnati awards a flexible and affordable master’s in healthcare education through its School of Human Services. The degree is offered in a hybrid format, with both on-campus and online components. The Master of Science in Health Promotion & Education degree includes the option to pursue concentrations in Community Health Education or Exercise Management. UC also offers a Master of Public Health -degree with a Health Education & Promotion Concentration, consisting of 42 credits and including both on-campus and online classes. Sample courses include Community Organization & Program Management, Epidemiology in Health Promotion and Education, and Biostatistics for Public Health. The Master of Science degrees offer the option to pursue either an extended internship or research-based thesis, while the Master of Public Health degree requires a Public Health Practicum as well as either a two-course Capstone or two-course Thesis. Both degrees render graduates eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. UC’s rigorous hybrid master’s degrees are affordable, costing $1311 per credit.

20. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university which is located in Los Angeles, California, and it the oldest private research university in the state, dating back to 1880. It is a member of the elite the Association of American Universities. USC enrolls 45,687 students, and is organized into 17 schools and colleges, including schools of law, business, engineering, medicine, and social work. The school has been the birthplace of a number of innovations, including the Domain Name System, DNA computing, image compression, and antivirus software. Entrepreneurship is also fostered, and alumni have founded such influential companies as LucasFilm, MySpace, Tinder, and Intuit. Faculty include USC presently has 8 Rhodes Scholars, 5 Nobel Laureates, 5 MacArthur Fellows, 181 Fulbright Scholars, and a Turing Award winner, among many other award-winners. This elite and affordable school is ranked 21st in National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, as well as 40th in Best Value Schools, and 15th in Most Innovative Schools, along with many top tier rankings for individual academic programs.

The University of Southern California confers a prestigious and affordable master of public health with a concentration in Community Health Promotion, available fully online through its Keck School of Medicine. This rigorous and selective program requires a total of 20 credits in core Public Health courses, followed by a selection of 16 credits in the Community Health Promotion specialization, and 6 credits in practicum/experiential learning. The 6-credit practicum comprises a one-credit field practicum, a 4-credit Public Health Management and Leadership Seminar, and a one-credit integrative capstone course. Courses within the concentration include Intervention Approaches for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Organizing and Mobilizing Communities for Global Health, and Program Evaluation & Research. This high-caliber, respected, and comprehensive online master’s degree is surprisingly affordable, costing $1863 per credit.