About the Program

The graduate program in Applied Health Science, MS is focused on advanced learning experiences related to health education and promotion for application in public health, community health, school, and clinical settings.

This program will prepare you for employment in educational settings, governmental agencies, private and voluntary health organizations, health care facilities, and business and industry.

Our curriculum focuses on skills required to apply for credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) or a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®). (See certification for more information.) 

Skills you'll focus on include: 

  • assessing needs and capacity for health education and promotion
  • planning and implementing health education and promotion interventions
  • conducting evaluation and research related to health education and promotion
  • advocating for health, health education and promotion, and the health education profession
  • demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills to support diversity, equity, health equity, and inclusion in health education and promotion 
  • communicating with other health professionals, consumers, students, employers, and other health education specialists
  • leading and managing health education and promotion programs
  • and, applying ethics and professionalism to health education and promotion practice

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities


Admission Requirements

Deadlines and Important dates 

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.85.
  • A personal statement indicating purpose for pursuing a graduate degree in the department of Health Science, here at Minnesota State Mankato.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors or professional colleagues.
  • A resume.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants

  • Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
  • Credential Evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service member.

Progression Requirements-Time Limits

  • All work, including approved transfer credits, must be completed with a 6 year period.
  • The time limit begins with the first course taken that applies to the program.
  • The time limit applies to transfer credits.

Progression Requirements - Graduate Enrollment

  • Graduate students must be registered for at least one graduate-level credit (500 level and above) during the semester they intend to graduate.
  • Finishing a previous course with an 'IP' does not fulfill this requirement. Courses must have final grades assigned.

Graduation Requirements

  • Only graduate-level courses (500 level and above) will be counted toward a graduate degree.
  • At least one-half of the credits counted for the degree, excluding thesis and APP credit, earned in courses restricted to graduate students (600-699 level).
  • A 3.0 grade point average minimum must be maintained for all graduate work being counted toward the fulfillment of the degree.
  • Courses taken at Minnesota State University, Mankato that are assigned a "C-" or below will not be counted toward graduation credit.
  • Transfer credits assigned a "B-" or below will not be accepted.
  • If a dual number course is taken at the undergraduate level, it cannot be taken at the graduate-level and counted toward the degree.
  • Graduate courses may be repeated but credit for the course is applicable toward the degree only once. However, all grades earned for that course shall be used in calculating the grade point average.
  • HLTH 630: Research Techniques in Health (3) or an equivalent graduate-level research methods course.
  • HLTH 675: Advanced Biostatistics (3) or an equivalent graduate-level statistics course.
  • A maximum of 6 credits of independent/individual study.
  • A minimum of 3 thesis credits must be earned by a student following a thesis plan.
  • A maximum of 6 credits of thesis credits may be earned by a student following a thesis plan.

Note: All other Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Graduate Studies and Research policies apply to this program.


Contact Information

213 Highland Center North
Graduate Coordinator: 507-389-1711