For detailed information regarding admission requirements for the School of Education graduate programs, please visit the Admissions Requirements website at https://www.uab.edu/education/home/admissions/.

Overview of Our Programs

The Community Health and Human Services program at UAB is designed to prepare students to work in professional health settings including national/state health organizations, clinical-based programs, and community-based non-profit agencies. In addition to studying contemporary health content, students are guided in the process of assessing community needs, planning, implementing, and evaluating health-related programs and interventions which correspond to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing professional standards. Students are provided numerous opportunities to practice advanced health education specialist tasks via Instructor lead community-based projects and purposefully designed service learning experiences.

Graduate Certificate in Health Education

The Graduate Certificate in Health Education is designed for students who desire to work in the community or enhance their skills in academia and seek preparation at the graduate level in community health, but not a full master's degree. The Graduate Certificate in Health Education is also designed for students wishing to obtain eligibility for the Certified Health Education Specialist Examination that have a degree in a complimentary field but do not currently have the corresponding coursework. This certificate will formally recognize UAB students and community professionals who have sought out necessary skills and training in community health education. All courses are offered online.

Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.): Community Health (Online)

The Community Health and Human Services program at UAB prepares students for advanced employment opportunities beyond the bachelor's degree level with a M.A.Ed. in Community Health. Work settings include public, volunteer, and private health agencies, community health clinics, hospitals, and worksites. Students gain skills in health education program planning, implementation, evaluation, and administration. Students are provided numerous opportunities to practice advanced health education specialist tasks via Instructor led community-based projects and purposefully designed service learning experiences. Students learn research-based protocol and may choose to complete either a thesis or an internship upon degree completion. Required courses include research design, the advanced health education/promotion specialist, program planning, evaluation, and administration, along with health behavior theory. Course work is aligned with responsibilities and competencies of advanced level health education specialists developed by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (www.nchec.org). This program of study has been developed to include the knowledge and competencies needed to prepare students for either the Certified or Master Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES/MCHES) examination.

Masters of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.): Community Health with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management (Online)

Through this joint venture between the Community Health and Human Services program and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, students learn advanced health education programming planning, implementation, and evaluation competencies as well as nonprofit management skills such as grant writing, fundraising, and public service. The program prepares students to lead in non-profit, public health agencies, government roles, and worksites.

M.A.Ed. Admission Process (Online)

Consideration for admission to the master’s degree program will occur each Fall and Spring term. The completed application packet must be received by the Community Health and Human Services Program from the Graduate School by the dates shown:

Admission to graduate study in Community Health and Human Services is initiated through the Graduate School and all required materials are to be submitted per specified instructions delineated by the Graduate School. M.A.Ed. applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 2.50. The M.A.Ed. program does not require that student complete the MAT/GRE examination. In rare cases, applicants who do not meet aforementioned standards may be considered for admission.

In addition, applicants must address several questions in writing that reflect the applicant’s background, development, pertinent work-related experience, and professional career objectives relating to careers in Community Health. Applicants will also be required to submit a professional resume. All applications for graduate admission are reviewed by the Community Health and Human Services faculty and may be given one of two decisions:  a) admit or b) not admit.

Graduate Traineeship in Pediatric Pulmonary Care (with School of Health Professions)

A Graduate Traineeship in partnership with the UAB Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC) is offered to a student currently trained as a respiratory therapist. Prospective students are those desiring a graduate degree in Community Health and Human Services; is interested in pediatric pulmonary care; and aspires to positions of leadership. One trainee is selected per year. The traineeship features a combination of planned coursework, hospital rounds, pulmonary clinics, patient and family education, and research experience. This interdisciplinary training program is offered to graduate students in Respiratory Therapy - Community Health and Human Services, nursing, nutrition, social work and medicine. Training is provided in each of the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies. The Traineeship includes a monthly stipend (for up to 12 months) and tuition assistance (limited to U.S. citizens or to individuals with a permanent visa).

For more information go to uab.edu/medicine/peds/ppc or contact: LaShonna Stodghill, MAE, RRT, AE-C, lashonna.stodghill@childrensal.org or Dr. Laura Forbes at ltalbott@uab.edu.

Student Professional Dispositions

Community Health and Human Services faculty individually review the professional dispositions (behaviors and attitudes) of students within each course in accordance with the School of Education’s policy and procedure. Additionally, faculty will collectively review student dispositions and overall progress in the program at the end of each semester. Dispositional areas identified as deficient could result in termination from the program.

Graduate Program Policies 

No individual course grade below “C” will be accepted. Each course with an earned grade below “C” must be repeated. Repeating a required health education course more than twice is not permitted. If a student receives a grade lower than a “C” after their second attempt, he or she will be dismissed from the Community Health and Human Services program and not allowed readmission.

Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students

Following admission to the UAB Graduate School, students may enroll in elective Community Health and Human Services courses as "non-degree seeking" students with the permission of the instructor. Non-degree seeking students are limited to 12 hours of coursework. It is essential for non-degree seeking students to make an advising appointment with a faculty member prior to enrolling in elective courses as some elective courses have pre-/co-requisites. Non-degree seeking students are not permitted to take "core" health education courses prior to admission. Enrolling and passing non-degree seeking coursework does not guarantee admission into a masters or doctoral degree program. Admission criteria (cumulative GPA, recommendations, and written statement) are the primary factors considered when reviewing student suitability for admission to a program.

Graduate Certificate in Health Coaching

M.A.Ed. in Community Health

Designed to prepare individuals for advanced health education and promotion careers in agencies, schools, worksites, and allied health care settings. All courses are offered online. This program is aligned with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing standards and prepares students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) examination. CHES/MCHES provides evidence of competency of the knowledge, skills and application of the Areas of Responsibilities defining the role of an entry or masters-level health educator. Program options allow students to select a thesis, internship, or course work completion option based on approval of the Graduate Program Director and prior professional work experience of the individual student.

Community Health Promotion

For detailed information regarding admission requirements for the School of Education and Human Sciences graduate programs, please visit the Admissions Requirements website at https://www.uab.edu/education/studentservices/admission-requirements.

Community Health Promotion (PhD)

Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Retta Evans, rrevans@uab.edu

Ph.D. Community Health Promotion

The PhD program in Community Health Promotion offers a broad-based curriculum emphasizing biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health, as well as interventions and policies aimed at improving community health. The curriculum provides students with the coursework, background, and practical experiences to become leading researchers and practitioners in the broad and rapidly growing field of health education and health promotion. Students learn the skills needed to work with individuals and communities to assess health needs, and then effectively plan, implement and evaluate culturally appropriate and theoretically based interventions to improve and promote health and to lessen unhealthy behaviors by addressing knowledge, attitudes, skills, and beliefs in various settings. By the conclusion of the program, students are able to conceptualize the theoretical and philosophical basis of health promotion clearly and conduct their own independent research projects. The curriculum prepares students for careers in academia, clinical research, and leadership roles in community and public health promotion in private industry, as well as non-profit and governmental health organizations.

Ph.D. Admission Process

Consideration for admission to graduate study in health education will occur each Fall for acceptance to start the following Fall term. The completed application packet must be received by the Community Health and Human Services Program from the Graduate School by the dates shown:

Candidates for admission must have completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution in health education or a health-related field. Admission to doctoral study is initiated through the Graduate School. Applicants will: (a) request official transcripts of all college coursework to send to UAB Graduate School; (b) submit (3) letters of recommendation from professors or others who are qualified to judge your ability to complete doctoral coursework; and (c) submit writing sample(s), such as an essay describing your academic training, professional experiences and career goals.  Admission to the program is competitive.The GRE is being waived for the Fall 2022 term.

Ph.D. applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.00 or greater for prior college coursework.

Ph.D. in Community Health Promotion Program of Study

Students may enter the program with a master's degree in health education, or closely related health field. Students with no prior academic background in health education will be required to take these co-requisites: CHHS 610, CHHS 631, & CHHS 697 during years one and two. This will be determined through a review of transcripts by the Graduate Program Director upon admission to the program. A required review of student credentials prior to admission will identify strengths and needs. This review will provide students with a blueprint for their course of study and will be conducted by the program director and faculty advisor. The PhD degree program will require students to complete a minimum of 72 credit hours. Students will meet regularly with a faculty advisor to plan course enrollment. 

Research and Statistics Prerequisites: Students are required to have completed the following courses (or equivalents) BEFORE enrolling in the Advanced Research and Statistical Methods Core.

The specific components of the PhD program in Health Education and Health Promotion are outlined below.

Ph.D. through the School of Education and Human Sciences

¹

Choose one course that fits the needs of your dissertation, with the approval of an advisor. Two examples are listed, but other courses could apply.

²

 Selection of courses pre-approved by doctoral program advisor to build knowledge and skills in a cognate area, e.g. Health Disparities, Research, Global Health, Public Health Policy, Aging and Health, Disabilities and Health.

Comprehensive Examination

A written comprehensive examination is required of all candidates for the Ph.D. degree. To be eligible to sit for comprehensive exams, students must have successfully completed CHHS 731, CHHS 732, CHHS 740 and CHHS 742. Students must register for a minimum of 3 hours of graduate work during the semester in which the comprehensive exam is taken. The exam must be passed unconditionally before the student can defend his/her proposal and be advanced to candidacy. 

To prepare, students should review all materials from listed coursework as well as other related courses and supplementary material. This exam is designed to test the student’s ability to take a given population and design an appropriate, theory-based health intervention to the situation. Each student must synthesize and apply what has been learned throughout the program. On the day of the exam, students will be given questions that require them to write a paper, describing an appropriate, theory based program to address the chosen health issue/population. This must involve thorough planning, implementation, and evaluation. The PRECEDE/PROCEED model should be used as a framework for the paper.

Comprehensive exams will be offered twice each year and is written and graded by the graduate faculty in the doctoral program. Grading of the comprehensive exam is done blinded, and by consensus. Students who fail to achieve passing scores will have one attempt to remediate within a calendar year. If a student fails a section for the second time, they will be dismissed from the program.