College of Education, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion Health Promotion (M.S.)

What can you do with this degree?

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Kinesiology and Health Promotion - Health Promotion Option prepares students to become a specialist in the development of individual, group, institutional, community and systemic strategies to improve overall health in communities. Courses place an emphasis on prevention and areas such as worksite health promotion, college health promotion, and applied current research. The program will prepare you for careers in healthcare facilities, public health departments, public health policy agencies and other work fields.

Our health promotion courses prepare students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination, a national certification widely respected in the health promotion field. As a student, you will gain an understanding of individual level behavior change; planning, implementing, and evaluating programs; community organizing and capacity building; environmental change; advocacy and health policy. You will also gain advanced professional skills, build professional relationships with top alumni, and engage with internationally recognized faculty in health promotion.

Our Health Promotion specialization offers students the choice between the Thesis Option (27 hours of course work, 6 hours thesis) and Internship Option (30 hours of approved course work, 3 hours internship). Students in our M.S. program complete a core of 15 hours of required health promotion and research related courses within the KHP Department and College. Students complete an additional 12-15 hours of elective course work (depending upon thesis option) that may be selected from within the KHP Department; other departments in the College of Education; College of Medicine; College of Health Sciences; College of Public Health; College of Nursing; College of Social Work; College of Communications and Information Studies; plus many more.

Students selecting the non-thesis route will also be required to complete an internship in the field of health promotion. This opportunity reinforces the responsibilities and competencies set forth by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Delivery Method: Fully Online or Face-to-Face

Credit Hours: Varies by program option

Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion

Hands-on Experience

Throughout the coursework, you will be prepared for employment in a variety of settings such as worksites, schools, health departments, health/wellness related businesses, and colleges and universities.

The University of Kentucky has several specialized research centers on campus providing students the opportunity to collaborate with professionals in many other disciplines, including:

Sanders-Brown Center for Aging Research
Center for Tobacco and Health Research
Center of Drug and Alcohol Research, Prevention Research Center
Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center
Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy.

The program allows you to engage in research with health promotion faculty. In addition, the health promotion program has close ties to the University of Kentucky’s Health and Wellness Program for faculty and staff, University Health Services which provides program opportunities for UK students and Campus Recreation, offering unique employment and internship opportunities.