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#1 Best Accredited Online Master’s in Health Education Program by BestColleges
Job titles related to Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®)
The University of Florida’s 100% online Master of Science in Health Education and Behavior (HEB) prepares current and aspiring health sector professionals to successfully plan, implement, and evaluate health education and promotion in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings.
During the 2022 exam cycles, 69 students/graduates took the CHES® exam. Of these test takers, 57 passed resulting in a 82.6% pass rate — 14.2% higher than the national average.
The online HEB curriculum was developed around the areas of responsibility as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), Inc., ensuring that students are equipped with the competencies and skills necessary to succeed as health education specialists and prepared to sit for the CHES® exam.
In addition to core courses that explore theories and principles of health education and teach students how to effectively plan, implement and evaluate programs, students choose from a range of program-specific electives including health communication, health promotion for priority populations, patient health education, or women’s health issues, ensuring the degree aligns with their current role and future career goals.
"HEB faculty strive to prepare our students professionally. We really work with students to help them align their interest areas in health with our degree program to help them find the job that meets their needs."
—Dr. Holly T. Moses, Instructional Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator
By the end of the program, students will sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) Exam — and M.S. in HEB graduates boast an exceptional pass rate thanks to our expert faculty who know what it takes to pass the exam and succeed as health education specialists. During the 2022 exam cycles, 69 students/graduates took the CHES® exam. Of these test takers, 57 passed resulting in a 82.6% pass rate — 14.2% higher than the national average (68.4%). Our faculty are heavily involved in the field of health education and promotion, and many of them are Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®). Credentials aside, each of our faculty is invested in students’ careers and professional aspirations and provide personalized guidance to help them meet their goals.
This investment in our M.S. in HEB students also extends to the Registration Examination for Dietitians, which will require those eligible for the exam to hold a master’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university, or foreign equivalent as of January 1, 2024. Our faculty include registered dietitians and an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics fellow with expertise in public health practice, private practice, nutrition education, and academic research.
The online M.S. in Health Education and Behavior is geared to both current health educators and aspiring professionals who are passionate about health education and promotion in areas ranging from business health programs to community and public health initiatives. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and have included hospital executives, nutritionists, health educators, and individuals from social science backgrounds, such as psychology and communication. They typically aim to enhance their knowledge to advance in their careers and earn a higher salary in settings that include:
Beginning January 1, 2024, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will require those eligible for the Registration Examination for Dietitians to hold a master's degree. After this date, graduates of the M.S. in Health Education & Behavior interested in starting a career as a registered dietitian will meet one of the eligibility requirements for the exam — holding a master’s level degree.
As a student in the online M.S. in Health Education and Behavior, you can prepare to excel as a leader by cultivating the skills to communicate vital information, promote health literacy, and advocate for improvements in public health policy. In our new student story video, Gabrielle Lobban talks about how earning her degree online allowed her to continue working while she started applying the concepts she learned to her career immediately. For more information about how the HEB master's program can help you reach your goals, contact an enrollment advisor.