Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences (MS)

The purpose of the Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science is to produce graduates who are adept at translating scientific research into practice to promote healthy lifestyles and environments. Graduates will be prepared to provide and direct services aimed at reducing chronic disease risk and ameliorating the impact that existing chronic diseases/disorders have on individuals and communities. Improving health outcomes of individuals and communities is critical as it reduces 1) costly premature death and disability; 2) the financial and human costs of medical treatment; and 3) the economic burden on individuals, families, employers, and society due to decreased worker productivity, lost wages, and the cost of government-funded medical programs.

Graduates of this program will be equipped to employ strategies to support positive lifestyle changes among healthy and chronically ill individuals and populations; develop, direct, and evaluate public health education programs and health promotion campaigns; advocate for improved health promotion policies, services, and resources; and plan, develop, implement, and evaluate health-related research. Program graduates will be prepared to be assume roles as health education/health promotion specialists in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, long term care, government, health-related service organizations, non-profit organizations, and businesses that address human health and wellness.

The curriculum includes coursework designed to achieve competencies needed to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and/or a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. In addition, the Health Promotion and Behavioral Science MS program maintains a partnership with the Orlando Veterans Administration Health Care Services (VAHCS) Dietetic Internship Program. Students eligible to participate in the Orlando VAHCS dietetic internship and the Health Promotion and Behavioral Science MS program will meet the eligibility requirements to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam upon successful completion of both programs. The proposed curriculum will enhance the knowledge and skills of future RDNs who often work in settings where expertise in health promotion and behavior change and the ability to critically evaluate research findings and propose sound research studies is critical.

This face-to-face full-time degree program offers thesis and non-thesis options. Students in the non-thesis option complete 30 credit hours consisting of 10 required courses over three semesters (fall, spring, summer). Students in the thesis option complete 36 credit hours including 10 required courses and six credits of thesis over 5 semesters (fall, spring, summer, fall and spring).

Program Prerequisites

Applicants to the Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences MS program must have adequate preparation in health as indicated by completion of courses in basic and applied sciences, statistics, psychology, and a minimum of three health-related courses.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

• Complete the following:
  • HSC6058 - Research Methods in Health Sciences (3)
  • HSC6059 - Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Health Sciences (3)
  • HSC6248 - Community Program Planning and Implementation (3)
  • HSC6585 - Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion and Education (3)
  • HSC6586 - Health and Wellness Coaching (3)
  • HSC6607 - Lifestyle Medicine (3)
  • HSC6717 - Community Program Monitoring and Evaluation (3)
  • HSC6945 - Health Promotion Practicum (3)
  • HSC6667 - Health Promotion Advocacy, Communication and Campaigns (3)

Non-Thesis/Thesis Option

• Complete 1 of the following
  Non-Thesis Option
  • Complete the following:
    • HSC6207 - Behavioral and Sociocultural Aspects of Health Equity (3)
  Thesis Option
  • Complete all of the following
    • Complete the following:
      • HSC6513 - Statistical Methods for Health and Behavioral Research (3)
    • Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
      • HSC6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)

Grand Total Credits: 30 - 36

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Independent Learning

Health Promotion and Behavioral Science MS students demonstrate Independent Learning throughout the curriculum and through completion of a health promotion practicum or thesis.

Non-thesis students must successfully complete HSC6815 – Health Promotion Practicum. Independent learning is demonstrated by developing and presenting a protocol for a systematic review using PROSPERO*.

Thesis students must complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of HSC 6971 - Thesis, successfully defend their thesis and meet all university requirements for thesis submission to apply thesis credits toward the degree requirements.

(*Note: PROSPERO is an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews where there is a health-related outcome in areas such as health and social care, public health, and education. It helps researchers comply with PRISMA, an evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses focused on evaluating effects of interventions.)

Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences Sample Plan of Study

Nonthesis Option (30 credit hours)

Thesis Option (36 credit hours)