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The Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion with a concentration in Health Promotion is designed to develop practitioners with the skills and competencies to effectively assess, design, implement and evaluate health promotion programs in a variety of settings.

Program highlights:

  • The core of the program is designed around coursework that helps students develop the skills and competencies required of entry level health educators as delineated on the Certified Health Education Specialist credential.
  • Regular admission to this program requires a minimum 2.75 GPA on all undergraduate work if accrued over a four-year (or more) period. If accrued over a two-year period, meaning the last two years of your undergraduate degree, a 3.0 GPA is required.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Who should pursue this degree?

Are you interested in a rewarding opportunity to work with clients and help them understand and improve their health? This is an ideal degree to help you meet those goals.

What are some potential careers?

Some of the potential careers for which this degree prepares you include community health specialist, public health educator and health coordinator. Organizations who employ individuals with this degree include the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, public health services, schools and universities, healthcare institutions and public policy and lobbying organizations

 

What are some potential careers?

 

Program Structure

A student must have acquired a minimum of 33 hours in order to graduate in both the thesis and non-thesis options. Other electives may be taken as approved by advisor. For a complete listing of courses offered each semester online:

  1. Visit the Class Schedule
  2. Select the term, choose "Online Education" as your campus, "FNH" as your subject, and "Graduate" as your level
  3. Click on "Display Classes" at the bottom

Research Methods (9-12 hours)

Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
FNH 8563 Principles of Epidemiology and Health Science Research2 3
KI 8313
 
EPY 6214		 Interpretation of Data in Kinesiology (or approved transfer course)
                  OR
Educational and Psychological Statistics		 3
FNH 8673
 
FNH 8000		 Applied Projects for CHES (3 hours)
                  OR
Research/Thesis (6 hours)		 3

Core Courses (15 hours)

Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
FNH 8513 Theory and Practice of Health Education2 3
FNH 8523 Health Promotion Techniques 3
FNH 8553 Behavioral Epidemiology 3
FNH 8613 Design and Administration of Health Promotion Programs1 3
FNH 8653 Implementation and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs1 3

Electives (6 - 9 hours)

Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
FNH 6253 Nutritional Biochemistry of Foods
FNH 6373 Career Skills in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion 3
FNH 6393 Prevention and Control of Disease 3
FNH 6773 Intro to Environmental Health 3
FNH 6783 School and Community Drug Use Prevention 3
FNH 8193 Problems in Health Education 3
FNH 8543 Health Education for Diverse Populations 3
FNH 8623 Current Issues in School Health 3

1 FNH 8613 is a prerequisite for FNH 8653
2 These courses should be the first two classes taken. If these are not available in your first semester, please contact your advisor for alternatives.

Admissions Requirements

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

  • Fall Semester – August 1
  • Spring Semester – December 1
  • Summer Semester – May 15

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion with a concentration in Health Promotion.

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.

  • ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  5. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  6. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  7. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your advisor to determine the courses that are most appropriate for you to take. Approximately two months prior to the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Leah Pylate Headshot

Dr. Leah Pylate

Health Promotion

  • Assistant Professor
662-325-0401

Comprehensive Exam

The date for the Comprehensive Exam is November 7, 2024 for students who are graduating in Fall 2024.

Comprehensive Exam Application Form

  • You must complete the Comprehensive Exam Application form (above) and mail or email it to Dr. Leah Pylate, Health Promotion, P.O. Box 9805, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or via e-mail at lbp77@msstate.edu. This form is due on October 24, 2024.
  • All Health Promotion students' planning to graduate in Fall 2024 will need to complete an Application for Degree form. The "Apply For A Degree" form can be found in the myBanner for Students section under "Academic Records" at the myState login. You must submit this form by the deadline, along with the appropriate fee, in order to graduate. The deadline for this application is October 18, 2024 . Please consult the Academic Calendar for late application deadlines.
  • If you are interested in taking the comprehensive exam, please contact Dr. Pylate for more information at lbp77@msstate.edu.

Comprehensive Exam Information

To be eligible to take the comprehensive exam, you must be enrolled in a class at MSU during the semester you want to take it.

  • Please note that successful completion of the comprehensive exam is a requirement for graduation.
  • You must be within six (6) hours of graduating and/or in your final semester in the program and enrolled in an MSU class (as opposed to transfer credit) in order to qualify to take the comprehensive exams.
  • The comprehensive examination consists of a day-long exam (given in two, three- hour sessions) covering the Core classes in the program. The five classes covered are FNH 8593, FNH 8523, FNH 8553, FNH 8613, and FNH 8653. The exams are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Students' failing the written portion of the exam may, at the discretion of program faculty, be given the opportunity to remediate shortcomings.
  • Failure to pass the comprehensive exams will otherwise result in dismissal from the graduate program.

Exam Procedures:

**Special Notice:

At this point in time, our intent is to offer the comprehensive exam in our traditional formats (i.e., on-campus in Rm 211 Herzer or via proctor for distance students). Given the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, we will monitor and follow university safety protocols. If it is deemed too risky to be on campus (or with a proctor), we will adjust the exam format as needed. Please keep in touch with Dr. Pylate and/or your advisor for up-to-date information.

Grading:

Exams will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Each instructor grades the answers for his/her own course. Students will be notified by Dr.Pylate of their results as soon as possible. It usually takes approximately one week for exams to be graded and results reported.

Notes:

  • You may not use any outside materials or references when completing your exam.
  • Since the exams are graded on a pass/fail basis, it is very important that you provide as thorough an answer as possible for each question. All questions require written answers (essay, listing, etc.). Be sure to respond in the manner asked for in the question.
  • Per MSU policy, students' not passing the comprehensive exam may be dismissed from their graduate program OR offered an opportunity to remediate their answers. The decision to dismiss a student or allow remediation is at the discretion of program faculty.
  • Prepare as thoroughly as you can for comprehensive exams. If you have any questions prior to the exam please contact: If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your advisor:

Careers

Health promotion is one of the fastest growing areas of employment in the United States.

To learn more about what the Bureau of Labor Statistics says about Health Educators' career outlook, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To find more career opportunities, visit the following links:

Graduates of Our Program Work in a Variety of Settings

  • Robin Annison
    Emergency Training Specialist, U.S. Capitol Police, Washington, D.C.
  • Juleigh Baker
    Health Educator, Longest Student Health Center, Mississippi State University
  • Steve Brantley
    Grants Monitor, Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, Jackson, MS
  • Mandy Burleson
    Child Life Specialist, Mississippi State Dept. of Health, Starkville, MS
  • J. Don Chaney
    Associate Dean, Distance Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
  • Lois Coleman
    Health Educator, Alvin A Dubin Alzheimer's Resource Center, Fort Myers, FL
  • Tiffany Fennell
    Health Educator, American Heart Association, Jackson, MS
  • Allison Ford
    Associate Professor, Health Promotion, University of Mississippi
  • Melody Fortune
    Branch Director, Breast and Cervical Cancer, Mississippi State Dept. of Health
  • Michelle Harcrow
    Health Educator, Student Health Center, University of Alabama
  • David Holland
    Cancer Control Manager, American Cancer Society, Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Jason Horay
    Strategic Client Success Executive, Labcorp Employer Services, NC
  • Christopher Thomas
    Cancer Prevention Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA
  • Jamie Waggoner
    Health Promotion Specialist, Toyota Motor Company, Louisville, KY
  • Alice Ann Williams
    Clinical Dietitian, Valley Services, Inc, Mississippi State Hospital

Certified Health Education Specialist

The coursework in this program has been developed around the competencies required to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). CHES credentialing is available through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing and gives health educators a competitive edge in the field.

For more information visit the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing website.


Contact Information

Photo of Mindy Wolfe

Mindy Wolfe

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
662-325-8545
Headshot of Mark Jimerson

Mark Jimerson

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
662-325-2655
Leah Pylate Headshot

Dr. Leah Pylate

Health Promotion

  • Assistant Professor
662-325-0401
Filler image for conacting the department or college

Department of FSNHP