Total Cost * Next Start Date Completion Time † Semester Credits Total Cost * Promote Health and Wellness, Ignite Healthy Living
Inspire others to live a healthier life through the power of education. The M.Ed. in Health and Wellness Education at ACE equips you to assess diverse needs and build research-driven health education programs for school, community and/or healthcare settings. Grounded in theoretical frameworks and professional standards, this program positions you to lead in health education with advanced knowledge, evidence-based teaching approaches and practical leadership skills.
You’ll also be prepared to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, a nationally recognized acknowledgment of your competency and expertise. Whether you’re looking to promote health and wellness for students, communities or healthcare professionals, this health education master’s program empowers you to generate and influence positive health outcomes.
Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.
This program is intended to prepare educators in a variety of health settings, including PK-12 schools, and community institutions and organizations. A growing need exists for educators who know and engage others in considering health topics, who utilize effective ways to teach and train providers, and who can deliver content to an audience with a range of needs, either within the healthcare industry or school environments to promote healthy life choices. This requires the ability to assess community or organizational needs, determine program priorities, and create and deliver educational content in a manner which can be evaluated for effectiveness whether it is in the public or private sector. The program is designed to prepare interested students for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.
Students explore theories and principles shaping the understanding of learning and motivation. Classic and current theories of cognition and motivation will be examined in relation to real world relevance. Students will gain an overview of neurology and its influence on human development, including cultural and individual perspectives about learning.
This course examines the relationship between the educator and the community. Students will explore topics of substance abuse; obesity; mental health; nutrition; communicable diseases and economics issues faced by the community-at-large. The course will focus on methods to form partnerships between programs and communities, practicing ethical standards as determined by laws within the healthcare industry. In addition, students learn methods of outreach and dissemination of information to support the needs of the community.
This course explores methods to analyze data to define needs and establish a program focus for delivering health education. The course will utilize research to evaluate policies and protocols relevant to the field. Learners will examine how to identify evaluation procedures on several levels, i.e. individual, personnel, program planning, and how to prepare a professional interpretation of the information.
Surveying various program models related to health education, this course identifies specific components of program design and examines methods to determine strategies for implementing a program into a specific setting. Relevant application of the material will relate principles of fundamental care to guide informed choice and formative research to assess needs. In addition, the course will address how to monitor and evaluate programs, including elements of operations scale-up and funding.
The graduate capstone demonstrates the application of knowledge acquired through prior coursework, providing a direct relationship between the program outcomes, core dispositions, and student performance as evidenced by selected artifacts.
This course analyzes how culture, social norms, values, beliefs, and personal experiences impact health-related decisions and behaviors. It examines the influence of individual and group dynamics, such as perception, attitudes, and social interaction, on health choices and their broader effects on daily life.
Derived from theoretical concepts, practices and principles, this course explores interactions between health factors (social, political, economic, and/or personal) as they influence life-style choices. Potential interventions and strategies for overcoming barriers and the ethical implications for professionals practicing in health education are examined in relation to practical application.
Addressing lifespan development from birth to death, this course of study focuses on ways physical health controls affective and cognitive changes. Consideration is given to factors influencing development and lifespan changes related to decisions in healthcare. The course also addresses the impact of aging on family relationships, sexuality and socialization, altering how individuals relate and respond to life choices.
Technology continues to drive ways to deliver, analyze, and interpret data, including informatics/bioinformatics, clinical research, consumer, and public health statistics. By teaching and training staff in the use of technology, protocols within an organization can be established as they relate to compliance issues and how stakeholders need to understand its use. Guidance is provided in the appropriate selection of technology to benefit targeted populations. CO1 Evaluate various technologies used to deliver, analyze, and interpret healthcare data, including informatics/bioinformatics, clinical research, consumer, and public health statistics.
Foundational approaches to guiding and educating individuals within school and community settings about issues and services are considered in this course. Using data for decision-making, relational skills are evaluated as an example of how specific settings impact options, and how a professional stance is established through ethical application of the laws governing healthcare practices.
This course will address how to collect, analyze and utilize data for decision-making purposes. Learners will explore a range of research approaches, including formative and summative research, to examine how to determine the best fit for their program needs. Students will be expected to demonstrate a working knowledge of research methods and analyze service statistics to make informed choices regarding quality improvement for health related programs.
We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.
Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.
You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.1
Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.2 Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.
You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.
Tuition & ROIWe are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.3 Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.
Success StoriesOur virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.
Support Services
Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.
Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.
Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,3 while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.3
Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.
*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.
All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:
2Internal research conducted November 2025
3Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026
4Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026
Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.
