Program Length:
20 months
Credit Hours:
30
Cost per Credit:
$1,922
Spring 2024
January 8
Summer 2024
May 6
Fall 2024
Late August
American University has a successful 40+ year history in training health and wellness leaders. The online MS in Health Promotion Management at American University is an extension of the on-campus award-winning program — the first in the U.S. to include business and management principles alongside the science of health and wellness. The innovative curriculum helps you develop the knowledge to identify what wellness changes are needed, and the leadership skills to implement them in an effective way.
The online MS in Health Promotion Management will teach you how to address health inequities and inefficiencies and create preventive health solutions. You’ll learn how to act as a health advocate, changing the lives of others as you promote physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and vocational health. By the end of the program, you’re ready for a leadership position that oversees the creation of health and wellness programs. Graduates can:
Conduct, analyze, and translate health science research for health promotion practice and management.
Formulate and demonstrate effective, culturally competent health communication strategies across various mediums, channels, and organizations.
Apply analytical, creative, and intuitive thinking styles to identify problems, explore opportunities, and evaluate existing paradigms for organizational advantage.
Apply best practices in health promotion management to assess needs, make plans, organize projects, align resources, build partnerships, monitor outcomes, and provide leadership.
Since 1980, this innovative program has created leaders in the health promotion industry. A winner of the Distinguished Academic Program Award (DAPA) from the National Wellness Institute, its unique curriculum meets the eligibility requirements for Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) certification. It also expertly prepares you to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam — 100% of our graduates who’ve taken the exam in the last five years have passed.
Being a small program, you have the flexibility to choose independent studies and build close connections with students and alumni and be mentored by the same faculty that helped the program win the DAPA award.
Winner of the
DAPA Award
Become a Certified Health
Education Specialist
Become a Certified
Wellness Practitioner
AU was recognized by Princeton Review, Best Colleges 2023, with the title of College Gets High Marks and ranked the following:
Admission to American University’s online Master of Science in Health Promotion Management requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
Applicants will need to submit:
*The application fee is typically waived if the application file is complete within a three week period.
$10,000 — No Separate Application Required
Prospective students who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or above (on a 4.0 scale) in their undergraduate program can qualify for the Online Merit Scholarship in award amounts up to $10,000. As part of your application process, your academic history will be reviewed to see if the scholarship can be applied; there is no separate application to fill out.
You will be notified of the scholarship status when you’re admitted to the program, or shortly thereafter.
To receive the scholarship, which is applied equally to the fifth and sixth courses of the program, you must remain in good academic standing.
You can impact wellness within any community or organization. The curriculum in the online Master of Science in Health Promotion Management teaches you how to lead others toward permanent changes that result in a healthier lifestyle based on the latest trends, research, and health promotion initiatives.
This 30-credit-hour program consists of 10 courses and can be completed in as few as 20 months.
This course provides a science-based foundation for the relationship between modifiable risk factors for non-communicable and select communicable diseases and lifestyle behaviors. Students gain an understanding of why and how lifestyle behaviors are associated with the etiology of most leading causes of death in the United States.
This course will focus on developing leaders in health promotion management as leaders drive innovation and change within organizations. In this course, you will explore how the dimensions of health and wellbeing, along with the importance of awareness of self, others, and the environment, can provide the foundation for becoming a successful leader.
Introduces students to advanced principles in program planning for health promotion activities. Emphasis on the use of theories for the identification of health and lifestyle risk factors, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs to effectively reduce the risk factors associated with chronic disease.
This course provides an overview of the healthcare system in the United States and the emerging role of health promotion in enhancing health. Includes the different types of health promotion activities offered, clinical and theoretical foundations for initiating health promotion activities, and trends of health promotion strategies in managed care organizations. Students develop working models for the integration of health promotion programs into the existing system.
An in-depth review of validity, reliability, and objectivity as they relate to measurement techniques in health promotion programs. The primary focus is on the use and analysis of assessment instruments used to determine health risks and an understanding of epidemiological and evaluation concepts in health and fitness.
This course provides students with strategic knowledge about different models and approaches used to implement health promotion programs in workplace settings. Students conduct case studies of organizations’ worksite health promotion programs, conduct an evaluation of program outcomes, and make informed recommendations to advance each program.
Organizations are constantly changing in response to a wide array of internal and external system dynamics, often unintentionally but sometimes in a planned, methodical way. This course focuses on the latter, where organizational leaders work collaboratively to make good decisions about what to change and how to manage those changes, given competing priorities and limited resources. Picking up where front-end analysis leaves off, you will work with colleagues to prioritize a strategic need, define a solution, craft a compelling vision, and communicate a persuasive business case for that change. Then, you will analyze stakeholders, identify change levers and resistance, develop change metrics and strategies, and strategize your communication, engagement, learning, and sustainment activities. This course will help you become a more influential leader and catalyst for positive change within any organization.
You can review all official course descriptions from the American University Catalog.
To learn more about the curriculum for American University’s online Master of Science in Health Promotion Management, call 855-725-7614 to speak with an admissions adviser or request more information.
With healthcare costs rising alongside increased efforts to fight cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, health promotion experts are in demand. From policymaking in the public arena to private corporations and healthcare systems, professionals who have the skills to advance health while managing teams and coordinating day-to-day operations are being hired quickly for a variety of health promotion roles.
Health educators and community health workers, for example, are expected to see a 17% increase in job opportunities from 2020 to 2030 — more than double the national average job-growth rate.1 Health education specialists who work in hospitals can expect a median salary of $76,450, while the highest 10% earned $102,480 in 2021.1
With your MS in Health Promotion Management from American University, you’re well prepared to apply your skills to a variety of roles and more senior positions such as:
As passionate change-makers, our alumni are responsible for measurable differences in the health and lives of their community members. You can find some of them working at these outstanding organizations:
Alison Chrisler is a Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Health Studies. Dr. Chrisler is a Certified Child Life Specialist with over a decade of experience in program evaluation within the non-profit sector. Dr. Chrisler’s research and evaluation expertise focuses on working with children, youth, and families that are often overlooked, with a special emphasis on hospitalized children, LGBTQIA youth, and the aging community. Currently, her research focuses on developing a cost analysis of child life programs in partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado. Additionally, Dr. Chrisler is examining parental advocacy efforts when they have a child that identifies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
Dr. Chrisler holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Families Studies and M.A. in Youth Development from Michigan State University. She is currently a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow developing a measure to capture critical thinking among public health undergraduate student. She is also a DC Humanities Truck Fellow developing an intergenerational playgroup as an innovative community activity that promotes the health and wellbeing of seniors, as well as build community and reduce ageism among families who have children from birth to 5 years old. Additionally, Dr. Chrisler serves as the Executive Editor of The Journal of Child Life.
American University welcomes its online students as a part of its community. As an online student, you’ll learn from the same outstanding faculty and be held to the same learning standards as students who attend courses on campus. On-campus and online programs deliver the same outcomes, and important support systems, like career resources, are set up for online learners as well. The only difference is you’re allowed to learn when and where it’s best for you so you can earn your degree and advance your career without putting the rest of your career and life on hold.
Our digital campus was intentionally designed based on extensive research behind what makes online learning successful. We combine advanced technology, hands-on experiences, and full access to the American University community. Here, you’re not an online student, you’re an AU student.
Rigorous Courses
Online courses are as challenging as their on-campus counterparts and taught by the same connected faculty members, influential guest speakers and prominent lecturers.
100% Support
New-student orientation, 24×7 help desk for technical issues, a student services coordinator, financial aid advisers and more are all available to ensure your success.
Expert Faculty
Home to some of the most acclaimed scholars and thought leaders in the world, you’ll learn from award-winning scholars and policymakers, diplomats, authors, artists, attorneys, scientists, journalists and more.
Collaborative Learning
Use virtual tools to talk about your coursework, work in teams with classmates, build strong connections, network with others and ask your instructor questions and turn in assignments.
American University is dedicated to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
As an online MS in Health Promotion Management student, you can transform your military experience and leadership skills into new career possibilities as you earn your degree regardless of where you live or are stationed.
We support a full range of military education benefits such as:
Additionally, if you’ve served in any branch of the U.S. military on active duty within the past three years, you’re eligible to waive the application fee. We accept transfer credits from military coursework, have a dedicated Office of Veterans Services to help connect you to benefits, and maintain an active Veterans Services Support Network.
We welcome you to learn more about our military benefits and how to apply for them.
Become an American University student. A passion for public service, an emphasis on active leadership, and a global outlook are the hallmarks of the American University learning experience. We create graduates who stand out from their peers as active, socially aware, and compassionate leaders who work toward creating meaningful change in our world.
To learn more about American University’s Master of Science in Health Promotion Management, request more information, request an appointment, or call us toll-free at 855-725-7614.
Health promotion is an emerging discipline that empowers people and organizations to choose behaviors and adopt lifestyle choices that support healthy decisions that reduce chronic conditions and healthcare costs.
As a graduate of the program, you’ll be well prepared to take on leadership and management roles in a variety of settings. Our graduates work as community health specialists, individual health coaches, wellness program managers, and more for small and large organizations.
Target employers include corporations, hospitals, state departments of health, schools, and health plans.
Health promotion is about empowering people to choose positive behaviors. It’s focused on lifestyle choices at the individual, community, and society level, as well as policies that support people making healthier lifestyle choices. Public health is more population-based and looks to apply policy to health solutions such as enacting vaccine requirements or seatbelt laws.
You will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a satisfactory grade point average — a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate work is recommended.
Applicants will need to submit:
Applicants will also complete a phone interview with a Department Lead.
All applicants are considered for the Online Merit Scholarship of $10,000 during the application review — no separate application is required.
*The application fee is typically waived if the application file is complete within a three week period.
The program can be completed in as few as 20 months.
No, but a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate work is recommended. For more submission requirements, contact an advisor.
A TOEFL score of 600 (or 100 on the internet-based test), a minimum score of 68 on the Pearson Test of English, or a minimum IELTS score of seven (7) is required. Additionally, applicants with international transcripts must have them evaluated course by course. For a list of acceptable evaluators, go to NACES.org.
Applicants will complete a phone interview with the Program Director a and will need to submit:
Our application deadline varies based on the term you are applying for. Please note that the earlier you submit your application, the sooner you’ll know whether you’ve been awarded the Online Merit Scholarship. Please contact our online admissions advisors for a specific timeline as to when your application file needs to be fully submitted.
Yes, graduate students enrolled at least half-time in a master’s program may be eligible for federal loans. To apply, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). American University’s FAFSA code is 001434.
Yes, online students can easily request a Student ID online to take advantage of all the same resources as our on-campus students.
Yes. When you complete the program you qualify to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) exam and can pursue the Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) credential from the National Wellness Institute.
Home to some of the most acclaimed scholars and thought leaders in the world.
Home to some of the most acclaimed scholars and thought leaders in the world.
Home to some of the most acclaimed scholars and thought leaders in the world.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Health Educators and Community Health Workers. Retrieved May 17, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm#tab-1.
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