M.A. and M.S. Opportunities
Why pursue a Master's degree to prepare for work as a Health Education Specialist or Community Health Worker?
A Master's Degree Makes One More Competitive for Employment
A master’s degree—whether our 32 credit MA in health education or 42 credit MS in community health education—allows you to acquire important skills that make you more competitive for employment. Meanwhile, our MS degree is considered an MPH equivalent degree, making individuals competitive for employment in settings that value master’s level training in public health and community health. The training we provide prepares graduates to enjoy employment opportunities, while enhancing students’ skills.
What do Master's Degree Graduates Students Say About Their Preparation for Employment and Career Opportunities?
Hear Megan Mahedy speak about her M.S. Degree training and employment opportunities in a video.
Hear what M.A. graduates have to say about their training and employment opportunities:
Nixon landed his dream job, distinguishing himself by being selected as a Junior Health Scientist/ORISE Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of STD Prevention where he worked from 2015 to 2019.
“In my last semester at Teachers College, Columbia University I received an A in all of my courses and one A+. I am highly satisfied with the education I received at Teachers College, Columbia University. The M.A. degree program in health education provided me with a clear vision of the things I want to do in the long term.”
— Nixon Arauz-Melendez
In October of 2022, Dr. Theresa P. Castillo received the Year 2022 Deborah Harding Women of Achievement Award from the Peace Corps, sharing how “It is such a big honor and tribute to the early work that started while at TC in the late 90's.”
“TC provided me with the foundation essential for translating health research into practical application. The Master’s degree paved my way to work in multiple health care settings, ranging from the National Institutes of Health to rural health clinics in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
— Theresa P. Castillo
Amrita took a curriculum developed in a TC class and implemented an original peer-led health education program back home in India: the model SEHAT--Social Education and Health Advocacy (the acronym means health in Hindi). She enjoyed support from the United Nations Office of Drugs & Crime. A film on SEHAT’s documents her success (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHOlgf3BDeI).
“Being a citizen of a developing nation like India where public infrastructure is stretched, I decided to leave a successful corporate career in 2004 and take the dive into the development sector… TC changed my world view. It was a humbling experience to be a peer with top notch professionals who had worked for years in the field. It opened my eyes to ground realities and the importance of culturally-appropriate programs."
— Amrita Bahl