The Department of Health Science offers a Master's of Science degree in three programs: Community Health; School Health; and Chemical Dependency Studies. The Community Health program is designed for the professional interested in Health Promotion in either public, private or voluntary organizations. The School Health Program is for licensed teachers seeking advanced study in Health Education. The Program in Alcohol and Drug Studies allows students to apply for the Certified Chemical Dependency Credential through the Institute of Chemical Dependency Professionals of Minnesota.
All applicants should submit the following to the College of Graduate Studies: a completed Application for Graduate Study, verification of the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, two official transcripts listing undergraduate/graduate degree(s) to be sent directly from the degree–granting institution to the College of Graduate Studies (including MSU, M students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff), and any additional information required for international students, if appropriate. The GRE is not required. Upon receipt of these materials, the College of Graduate Studies will forward the applicant's file to the Department of Health Science for admission recommendation. Admissions are made each semester and all application materials must be received by the deadlines for the semester applied.
Students not meeting specific course requirements may be admitted provisionally and asked to fulfill the deficiencies in addition to the regular schedule of courses.
Students pursuing the Master of Science in Health Science may take either the thesis plan or the alternate plan. On the thesis plan, students must complete 30 credits of coursework and complete a thesis. The thesis must show independent thought in the recognition of a clearly defined problem and in the method of its treatment. It must conform to the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual of style and be approved by the student's examining committee and the graduate dean. A maximum of six credits may be earned for the thesis. On the alternate plan, students must complete 34 credits of coursework and complete an alternate plan paper. The alternate plan paper is a culminating research project which may be satisfied by a research paper or papers, an extended internship, an individual creation or a paper accepted for publication in a credible professional journal. The alternate plan paper must be approved by the student's three faculty member examining committee and the Graduate Dean.
All elective courses are chosen in consultation with the student's graduate advisor to meet the student's educational and professional goals. A minimum of 50% of all graduate coursework applied toward the degree must be completed at the 600 level.
Full–time students typically complete the formal coursework for the degree within four semesters, leaving only the thesis or alternate plan paper to finish the degree. All graduate requirements for the Master's degree must be completed within a six–year period.
For application forms and information, please contact:
The College of Graduate Studies & Research
Minnesota State University, MankatoTelephone: 507-389-2321
Fax: 507-389-5974
Email: grad@mnsu.edu
For additional information about Graduate Study in Health Science, please contact:
Dawn Larsen, Ph.D., CHES, Graduate Program CoordinatorTelephone: 507-389-2113
Fax: 507-389-2985
Email: dawn.larsen@mnsu.edu
