Master's in Health Promotion Sciences, Allied Health Sciences

MS in Health Promotion Sciences

The two-year Master’s in Health Promotion Sciences program will prepare you to make critical contributions to future of health research, community health outcomes, and evidence-based health interventions. Master’s graduates develop competencies in health promotion, health education, and behavioral health to enhance the health of the population at the local, national, and global levels. With the skills and interdisciplinary knowledge you develop through your coursework, relationships with faculty mentors, and real-world research experience, you will leave ready for an impactful career in public health, community-based treatment and healthcare fields, worksites, and clinical and research settings, or for continuation into a PhD program.

Recommended Preparation

Applicants should already have in hand or be nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Ideally, the applicant’s academic record will include strong preparation in the sciences as well as research and/or volunteer experience that contributes to his/her professional and career interests in health promotion sciences. Successful MS applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale); excellent GRE scores; strong recommendations from advisors and others familiar with their academic work and potential; and research interests that match with our graduate faculty. Both a personal essay and a sample research paper or abstract are required elements of the admissions application.

Program Overview

In consultation with your faculty advisor, you will design a plan of study to meet your professional, educational, and scholarly goals. Two tracks are available:

  • Thesis Track (Plan A) emphasizes research and requires the completion of a research project and submission of a thesis. 30 total credits.
  • Project & Practicum Track (Plan B) emphasizes comprehensive understanding of health promotion, health education, and behavior change, primarily through advanced coursework and the completion of a project and practicum. 32 total credits.

Both tracks require the completion of core coursework including:

  • Health Promotion (minimum 9 credits)
    • AH 5319 – Health Education for At-Risk Populations
    • AH 6305 – Health Program Planning & Evaluation
    • AH 6324 – Critical Issues in Health Promotion Disease and Disability Prevention
  • Research (minimum 9 credits):
    • AH 5005 – Biostatistics for Health Professions
    • AH 6306 – Research Methods (Plan A only)
    • Additional methods/analytic course (e.g. AH6005, AH6015, AH6310)
  • Electives (minimum 3 credits):
    • Selecting from courses offered in Allied Health Sciences or in other departments across the University, you will use your elective(s) to deepen your knowledge in an area of health promotion sciences (e.g. statistical modeling/evidence-analysis, behavioral and environmental change interventions, genetics and diagnostics).

Graduate Assistantships

If accepted into the MS program, you may be considered for competitive graduate assistantships that include research and/or teaching assignments. These assistantships provide a stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits. For general information about graduate assistantships at UConn, please visit the Graduate School.

Fellowships

In order for an applicant to be considered for one of the following fellowships, the applicant must select that they wish to be considered in SLATE. Recipients of these fellowships will be the most academically promising members of the entering class of graduate students at the University of Connecticut. The criteria used to select recipients include the following:

  • Evidence of scholarly or creative achievement highlighted by the department or program in their nomination and evidence that the department or program provides the environment necessary for success in the areas of interest highlighted by the applicant.
  • Evidence of any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, e.g., publications, presentations, exhibits, performances.
  • Evidence that the nominee has been successful at previous academic institutions, e.g., letters of recommendation.
  • Quantitative evidence of academic accomplishment, e.g., undergraduate grade point average, GRE/GMAT (when available).

The Jorgensen Fellowship (JF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.

In addition, to be eligible for either the fellowships below, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education and/or a commitment to enhancing diversity in their field of study.

  • The Harriott Fellowship (HF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.
  • The Crandall Fellowship (CF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to master’s programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for two years (MFA is for three years).

For HF and CF fellowships students must submit a diversity statement through the SLATE application system. Students can demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education through participation in organizations or activities that (a) directly relate to increasing access to higher education and retention in higher education of individuals, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs or (b) that help to ensure that individuals are welcomed and included in higher education environments regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs. Such organization and activities might include participation/affiliation with TRIO programs, cultural/affinity organizations/centers, volunteer experiences, and college or university committees focused on these goals. Students provide evidence of this commitment through research and educational experience reflected on their CV/resume (articles, presentations, internship, and research experience), in their personal statement, or in letters of recommendations.