Thesis Curriculum
Leveling Courses:
To be determined by admissions committee
NOTE: Courses must be taken in addition to the minimum 36 credit hours below; maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA on all leveling courses
Health Core (21 hours)
Research Core (6 hours)
Foundation Research Methods (6 hours)
Choose one:
Elective (3 hours)
Thesis Research (6 hours)
Leveling Courses
Purpose: Leveling courses are meant to ensure that all HLTH MS Thesis students begin with basic health educator skills.
- Advisors are responsible for checking to see if a student has taken appropriate courses, prior to entering the MS Thesis program. If student has not taken all of the courses, advisors will make sure the students take whatever courses are needed at the beginning of the program.
- Hours for leveling courses do not count towards the minimum 36 hours required for the MS-Thesis degree.
- Students must receive a minimum of a 3.0 average on leveling courses.
Health Education Theoretical Core
Purpose: This core is meant to ensure that HLTH MS Thesis students are knowledgeable about health theory, systems thinking, and other responsibilities that may influence their content area (from an outside discipline).
Research Core
Purpose: The research core is meant to ensure that HLTH MS Thesis students have a foundational grasp on methods and analysis from multiple paradigms, as well as specialized knowledge related to a methodology of choice.
- Students must take a total of 6 hours of methods and/or analysis courses.
- 6 hours of methods/analysis courses should provide students a basic knowledge for a master’s level health education specialist. A list of research course options is provided.
Elective Areas
Purpose: The elective area is determined by the student and advisor. The 3 hours of courses should build on the research method of interest for the student.
- 6 additional hours should be advanced methods in one approach, according to the students’ interest.
- An excel file is available to help an advisor direct a student in elective courses. This file has a list of all the course offerings that are related to each of the three listed areas. It is an iterative document and should be updated as new courses are introduced.
Thesis
Purpose: The final step in the HLTH MS Thesis degree plan is the thesis. These hours are meant to prepare the student to finish their degree and enter the professional environment or a PhD program.
- Thesis projects should follow OGAPS guidelines and thesis defenses should be shared with faculty.
