Graduate Programs in the Department of Health Science

Degree Programs
Admission Criteria and Procedures

The Department of Health Science offers the Master of Science in Education (Health Education) program for the preparation of professional health educators. Professional preparation for the field of health education focuses on skills for the promotion of health, and strategies for enhancing and encouraging change toward positive health behaviors.

The Department of Health Science master's degree offers opportunities for advanced study related to the planning, implementation and evaluation of health education programs in multiple community settings, including public health departments, voluntary health associations, medical and mental health care agencies and organizations, work site settings, and various health advocacy organizations. Completion of this degree prepares the candidate to be eligible for certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), as set forth by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

The Health Science master's degree program also meets the academic requirements established by the New York State Department of Education for permanent certification as a health teacher for those individuals provisionally certified in health education. Completion of this degree prepares the candidate for permanent certification in health (K-12) only if the candidate is already provisionally certified in health (K-12) before February 1, 2004, and has two years of full-time, paid experience as a health teacher at the K-12 level.

Alternative MSEd (Health Education)

This program is designed for students who do not have provisional certification to teach but seek certification as a health teacher (K-12) before February 1, 2004. These students may have completed an undergradute health science liberal arts program, health science professional program without student teaching, or other related undergraduate major. They would need to fulfill specific requirements, including student teaching, to satisfy the New York State Department of Education. Additional courses are required to complete the MSEd which would lead to permanent certification to teach health (K-12) in New York state.

Admission Criteria and Procedures for MSEd and Alternate MSEd (Health Education) Degree Requirements.

All applicants for the Master of Science in Education (Health Education) programs must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. All applicants will be evaluated individually to determine the course requirements for their program. Academic standards for acceptance into the program include the following:

Preference is given to applicants with an undergraduate degree grade point average (GPA) over 3.0; (An applicant with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 may present his/her written rationale for acceptance in the application materials.)

Three (3) satisfactory letters of recommendation. The letters should comment on the applicant's

competence in professional work performance;

academic performance in college;

ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and

ability to relate effectively with colleagues, students, clients, superior and subordinate personnel, and the general public.

Score reports for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and Writing Test. A score of 4.5 or better on the GRE Writing test is required.

Evidence of satisfactory performance (grade of "B" or better) in two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (or equivalent) and one semester of Statistics taken at the undergraduate level.

Note: Courses completed prior to matriculation may or may not be approved for subsequent inclusion in a successful applicant's course of studies, at the discretion of the department. No more than six credits taken before matriculation will be applied to a graduate student's master's degree program.

Applications, offical transcripts from all colleges attended, GRE results and three letters of recommendations should be submitted to the College's Graduate Admission's Office (585)395-5465, or (585)395-2525. To request admission material online, click here.

To access information regarding preparing for the Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST), click here.

The decision to accept or reject an application lies wholly within the department's jurisdiction. The Department of Health Science has a professional responsibility to deny admission or continuation in any of its graduate programs to any applicant/student whose level of performance and/or personal characteristics do not not meet academic, professional or ethical standards.

All Students considering a Department of Health Science program or concentration are invited contact any of the following members of the department faculty for further information and guidance.

Douglas Scheidt, Department Chair
Patti Follansbee, Chair, Health Science Graduate Admissions

Department of Health Science
SUNY College at Brockport 23 Hartwell Hall
350 New Campus Drive Brockport, NY 14420-2979
(585)395-2643

Return to Department of Health Science Homepage.