M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences

May be earned under either of two plans. Both meet the minimum requirement of 30 credits completed. Plan A (Thesis track) emphasizes research and requires at least 24 credits of advanced course work and completion of a master’s thesis. Plan B (Project and Practicum Track) requires a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, at least 26 credits of advanced course work, and completion of a project and a practicum. Students in both plans work with their major advisor to assemble a graduate advisory committee and develop the plan of study and research agenda culminating in the writing and oral defense of a thesis (Plan A) or in the project/practicum (Plan B). Students must satisfy the University standards and degree requirements, and pass a comprehensive examination administered under the auspices of the advisory committee.

Location

• Storrs Campus

Modality

• In Person

Requirements

M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences Requirements

A minimum of 30 credits in the following domains.

Health Promotion

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
AH 5319	Health Education and Behavioral Interventions for At-Risk Populations	3
AH 6305	Program Planning and Evaluation for Health Professionals	3
AH 6324	Critical Issues in Health Promotion, Disease and Disability Prevention	3
Total Credits		9

Research

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
AH 5005	Biostatistics for Health Professions	3
AH 6306	Research Methods in Allied Health	3
One research-based elective with advisor approval		3
Total Credits		9

Electives

Students complete 12 credits from Allied Health Sciences and other schools or colleges across campus chosen in consultation with the student’s advisory committee to develop depth in an area of health promotion sciences (e.g., statistical modeling/evidence-analysis, behavioral and environment change interventions, health equity, genetics and diagnostics).

4+1 FastTrack Dietetics B.S./Health Promotion Sciences M.S. Requirements

While fulfilling requirements of their B.S. degree, FastTrack students simultaneously complete a maximum of 12 credits of coursework toward the M.S. (AH 5005 Biostatistics for Health Professions, AH 5351 Contemporary Nutrition Issues and Research, AH 6305 Program Planning and Evaluation for Health Professionals, AH 5319 Health Education and Behavioral Interventions for At-Risk Populations or AH 6306 Research Methods in Allied Health) which may be applied to both undergraduate and graduate plans of study.

Requirements for the 5th Year of Study

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
AH 6324	Critical Issues in Health Promotion, Disease and Disability Prevention	3
AH 5335	Community Nutrition Education and Behavioral Intervention Delivery for At-Risk Groups	2
AH 5314	Professional Development Project	3
AH 5317	Professional Development Practicum	5
Graduate level elective 1		3
DIET 4315	Food Service in Health Care	1
DIET 4335	Clinical Nutrition in Acute Care	1
Total Credits		18

¹

Which could include AH 5319 Health Education and Behavioral Interventions for At-Risk Populations or AH 6306 Research Methods in Allied Health.

The following courses are required to meet ACEND requirements and be eligible to take the national dietetics registration exam, not for the M.S. degree: Spring semester: DIET 4435 Community Nutrition Practicum II, DIET 4455 Clinical Dietetics Practicum III, DIET 4470 , and summer a non-degree externship DIET 4991 Dietetics Externship. These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher in the 5th year to meet ACEND accreditation standards. Grades below “C” in any course require a remediation plan approved by a student’s major advisor and Program Director.

Learning Objectives

1. Interpret, apply, and critically evaluate methods and strategies for engaging diverse populations in research and health promotion activities.
2. Conduct research on health promotion, disease prevention and related fields utilizing appropriate research designs, data collection strategies, and quantitative and qualitative analytic methods.
3. Apply conceptual models to develop/refine behavioral interventions based on explanation of evidence-based behavioral strategies and the analysis and critique of the scientific literature to identify gaps in the evidence base.
4. Interpret and evaluate emerging research on biomarkers of health conditions/diseases including clinical utility, strengths, and limitations in health promotion monitoring, interventions, and social determinants of health.
5. Integrate policies and environment-level constructs into conceptual frameworks, study designs, and/or health promotion interventions and programs.
6. Demonstrate excellence as an emerging researcher as evidenced by contributing to scholarly conferences, submitting publications, effective oral communications, participating in student mentoring, interacting productively in a research team, and practicing ethical research.

The FastTrack (4+1) B.S. in Dietetics and M.S. in Health Promotion Sciences is a program that is available for highly motivated UConn undergraduate students. The FastTrack allows students accepted into the Undergraduate Coordinated Dietetics Program in Allied Health Sciences at UConn to complete the baccalaureate degree in Dietetics, the Plan B M.S. degree in Health Promotion Sciences, and the hours of supervised practice approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), all within five years plus an externship. When all requirements are successfully completed the student may sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration National Registration Examination.

Students are accepted into the program as early as their 5th semester of undergraduate study based on their academic performance and the completion of prerequisite courses, as well as personal background and/or experiences revealing a commitment to dietetics and health promotion sciences.