Association of Accredited Public Health Programs

Health education draws from many different disciplines, including psychology, biology, sociology, communications, business, and education. The variety of undergraduate backgrounds that MPH-CHE candidates bring to the program help all members of the program to broaden their understanding through classroom sharing and team projects.

The curriculum of the MPH-CHE program is designed to prepared candidates to practice health education in the graduate responsibility areas developed by the Joint Committee for Graduate Standards. To further demonstrate mastery of these professional competencies, graduates of the MPH-CHE program are encouraged to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) through the national examination offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

MPH-CHE candidates are encouraged to develop colleagueship through cooperative ventures while in the program. In their present or future professional situations, teamwork and networking will be essential. Mutual support and collaboration are encouraged both informally and through the curriculum in the MPH-CHE program. Many opportunities to develop creative and innovative approaches to health education, often as a team, are provided. The curriculum stimulates personal challenge, growth in understanding, and confidence in one's skills, along with a community connectedness.

Each MPH-CHE candidate, with the assistance of the program director and faculty, is encouraged to examine career options and personal preferences. Opportunities to explore health education in business, communities, schools, clinical settings, and higher education through the core curriculum, electives, workshops and the Preceptorship experience are offered by the department.

In addition to choosing a career path, the graduate student uses the time in the program to form an image of himself or herself as a professional health educator. This process is complemented by readings, projects, and discussions with fellow students and faculty, and memberships in professional organizations.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the MPH-CHE graduate program at the University of Wisconsin is to prepare professionals who will address enhancing the quality of life through health education and health promotion, realizing the dynamic and interdependent nature of human systems and their interactions with the environment.

Students in the MPH-CHE program come from a wide array of undergraduate backgrounds and professional experiences. Some were students in health education, while others majored in liberal arts programs, nursing, the social sciences, or the natural sciences. Community health education integrates elements from all these disciplines. MPH-CHE graduate students also have in common an interest in the human condition in all its diverse aspects. They believe that good health is basic to human well-being. MPH-CHE graduate students should have good communication skills. They will become specialists in the gathering, processing, and disseminating of health information to the public. They are also prevention focused. Graduates from this program are involved in efforts that seek to prevent health problems and optimized healthy lifestyles choices. Such approaches have become even more crucial in an era of burgeoning health care costs.

MPH-CHE Graduate Responsibilities: