Master of Public Health - Community Health Education

UNCG’s Master of Public Health, Community Health Education degree is a professional preparation program for students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. It’s designed for students who are interested in careers involving the development and management of population-based health promotion and disease prevention activities within communities.

Our approach to research and teaching/learning in this Master in Public Health Program should accelerate the translation of new knowledge into practice in other ways as well. Findings generated by research teams of students, faculty and community partners will have immediate implications for improving the undergraduate and master’s curricula that prepare practitioners.

M.P.H. in COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION Program Distinctions

Students in the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program will learn in a nationally recognized and accredited program.

• The Public Health Education program is ranked #116 nationally and #3 in NC by the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2026. 
• The M.P.H. program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The professional requirements are based on the CEPH accreditation and the professional responsibility areas and recommendations of the Joint Commission of the Society of Public Health and the American Association for Health Education.
• The Department of Public Health Education is affiliated with Healthy UNCG, the UNCG Center for Athlete Well-being, and the UNCG Center for Women’s Health and Wellness.

The M.P.H. in Community Health Education Student Experience

By the end of the program students will have preparation in the core areas of public health and in the seven areas of responsibility for health education specialists. These are:

• Assessment
• Program planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Administration and management
• Resource
• Communication and advocacy

The program emphasizes reflective practice, a theoretical base, network development, leadership development, and cooperation and collaboration with community health organizations. This is done with:

• A curricular emphasis on the application of health education skills and knowledge with a variety of community populations.
• The practical application of research findings to health problems and includes preparation in the core areas of public health.
• Community involvement and engagement, social justice, the root causes of health within society, effective communication, and uses of technology.
• Having a socio-ecological perspective to understand the health of populations and broad determinants of health.

Additionally, students will work closely with faculty members and community partners to design and implement research studies aimed at resolving public health outcomes important to the community and the field.

After Graduation with an M.P.H. IN COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION

The degree program prepares graduates for careers in public health and health care settings at local, state, regional, or national levels. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national Health Education Specialist credentialing exam for the profession and become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). With qualifying experience they can become a Master’s Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). M.P.H. students are also eligible to sit for the national exam to become Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential.

Apply to the Community Health Education Program

The MPH program reviews applicants on a rolling basis, so all interested students are encouraged to apply early. Review the admission requirements related to GPA, experience, and references.

FAQS about m.p.h. in Community Health Education Program