About the Program
DELIVERY METHOD: FULLY ONLINE
ENROLLMENT STATUS: FULL-TIME | PART-TIME
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
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MS in Health Communication for Social Change
The online master of science degree in Health Communication for Social Change prepares students to achieve meaningful public health outcomes through communication, social marketing and other behavior-change strategies. Students gain core public health competencies and receive training in health literacy, strategic marketing, social media strategy, multimedia production, and health entrepreneurship along with other critical communications domains.
Learn to collaborate across disciplines and make a real difference by addressing health inequalities with human-centric approaches. Elevate your career, inspire change and become a leader in health communication.
Delivery method: This program is offered in both hybrid (online and on-campus) and fully online formats. Online courses may be delivered asynchronously and/or synchronously. Current and recent school-wide class schedules, including modality details, can be found here. Find answers to common questions about our online programs and delivery methods here.
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- Text: (646) 664-1366
- Phone: (646) 664-8355
- Email: admissions@sph.cuny.edu
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- Upcoming admissions events: Join us!
Is this degree right for you?
As the the only fully online health communications program offered by a CEPH-accredited school of public health, this degree is designed for working professionals looking to explore how effective health communications can build a more intersectional and equitable public health.
What will you learn?
Students will learn how to transform public health through the art of health communication. Learn to tailor your messages for diverse audiences and sectors, articulate public health issues in relatable terms and navigate the complexities of cultural competence. Become an adept communicator who makes public health accessible and impactful for all.
Where to after graduation?
Because this program emphasizes building technical skills, graduates will have access to a wide variety of employment opportunities at city, county, and state health departments, advertising and marketing agencies, non-governmental organizations; philanthropic organizations, and more through our engaged faculty.
Making an Impact
Our graduates work in health communication at organizations including:
Admissions Information
Admissions Requirements
- Completed SOPHAS application
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited university with GPA (overall and major) of at least 3.0.
- Personal statement/statement of purpose (recommended length is 500 words)
- Resume
- 2 letters of recommendation
- TOEFL scores are required if language of instruction for prior degrees was not English
- Paper-based test: 550
- Computer administered test: 233
- Internet-based test: 60 (reading score, writing score, and listening score)
- Transcript evaluation from WES or ECE for foreign transcripts.
Application Deadline
SOPHAS applications for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2027 are now open.
- Spring 2027 application deadline: December 1, 2026 (priority scholarship deadline)
- Fall 2027 application deadline: March 1, 2027 (priority scholarship deadline)
Curriculum
This degree program is fully online.
| Foundational Knowledge (0 credits) | PUBH 601 Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* |
| Core Coursework (15 credits) | PUBH 610 Introduction to Health Systems, Policy, and Management |
| PUBH 611 Health Equity, Communication, and Advocacy | |
| PUBH 612 Designing and Evaluating Public Health Interventions | |
| PUBH 613 Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research | |
| PUBH 614 Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research | |
| Required Coursework (15 credits) | CHSS 626 Health and Media Literacy for Public Health Advancement |
| CHSS 627 Social Marketing and Health Communication Theory and Practice | |
| CHSS 628 Multisectoral Engagement for Sustainable Health: Local to Global Development, Implementation and Measurement | |
| CHSS 629 Strategic Multimedia Production and Innovative Health Communication: Design and Delivery | |
| CHSS 630 Case Studies in Social Marketing, Health Communication, and Strategic Diplomacy for Public Health | |
| Elective Coursework (3 credits) | One (1) elective chosen in consultation with faculty advisor |
| Culminating Experience (3 credits) | CHSS 700 Health Communication Capstone Project |
| Total Credits Required | 36 |
*Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from PUBH 601 by submitting a Course Waiver Request.
Recommended Course Sequence
These sequences are recommended for full-time students. Part-time students are encouraged to meet with a staff advisor to map out an appropriate plan of study.
| For students beginning their program during the fall semester: | ||
| Semester | Course | Credits |
| Year 1 Fall | PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* | 0 |
| PUBH 613: Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research | 3 | |
| PUBH 610: Introduction to Health Systems, Policy, and Management | 3 | |
| PUBH 611: Health Equity, Communication, and Advocacy | 3 | |
| CHSS 626: Health and Media Literacy for Public Health Advancement | 3 | |
| Year 1 Spring | PUBH 614: Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research | 3 |
| CHSS 627: Social Marketing and Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 | |
| CHSS 628: Multisectoral Engagement for Sustainable Health: Local to Global Development, Implementation, and Measurement | 3 | |
| PUBH 612: Designing and Evaluating Public Health Interventions | 3 | |
| Year 2 Fall | CHSS 629: Strategic Multimedia Production and Innovative Health Communication: Design and Delivery | 3 |
| CHSS 630: Case Studies in Social Marketing, Health Communication, and Strategic Diplomacy for Public Health | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| CHSS 700: Health Communication Capstone Project | 3 | |
| For students beginning their program during the spring semester: | ||
| Semester | Course | Credits |
| Year 1 Spring | PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* | 0 |
| PUBH 613: Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research | 3 | |
| PUBH 610: Introduction to Health Systems, Policy, and Management | 3 | |
| PUBH 611: Health Equity, Communication, and Advocacy | 3 | |
| CHSS 628: Multisectoral Engagement for Sustainable Health: Local to Global Development, Implementation, and Measurement | 3 | |
| Year 1 Fall | PUBH 614: Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research | 3 |
| CHSS 626: Health and Media Literacy for Public Health Advancement | 3 | |
| CHSS 629: Strategic Multimedia Production and Innovative Health Communication: Design and Delivery | 3 | |
| CHSS 630: Case Studies in Social Marketing, Health Communication, and Strategic Diplomacy for Public Health | 3 | |
| Year 2 Spring | PUBH 612: Designing and Evaluating Public Health Interventions | 3 |
| CHSS 627: Social Marketing and Health Communication Theory and Practice | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| CHSS 700: Health Communication Capstone Project | 3 | |
*PUBH 601 should be completed during a student’s first semester. Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from this requirement by submitting a Course Waiver Request.