The Master of Education with a Specialization in Health program prepares health educators to be proficient in the Puerto Rico Professional Standards for Teachers. Graduates are career-ready, technologically savvy and culturally competent to advance social justice causes.
This program is for recertification by the Puerto Rico Department of Education as a health educator only.
Modality
Program Overview for the Master of Education Degree with a Specialization in Health
Our graduates excel in health education and are skilled in needs assessments, study planning, student assessment and advocating for health education.
Based in Puerto Rico, classes are offered on-campus with online (asynchronous) coursework.
Master of Education Degree with a Specialization in Health Program Highlights
Through its Puerto Rico campus, Cambridge College gives you flexible course options to balance work and family demands as you progress toward your graduation goals.
- Flexible, hybrid program: Four classes per term are taught on-campus, typically on weekends; the rest of the classwork is completed online (asynchronously). This allows you to earn your master’s degree while balancing work and family time.
- Great location: Our classroom location in Puerto Rico is close to public transportation and provides year-round free parking for students.
- Language: Classroom instruction is in Spanish and coursework is in Spanish and English.
- Connect with fellow students: Cambridge College welcomes in MEd students who bring diverse perspectives.
- More value, less tuition: Compared to similar master’s degrees, Cambridge College offers lower tuition to graduate students. Our commitment to affordable education gives more students the opportunity to achieve academic and career goals.
- NCHEC Licensing: Students in the Health MEd program may apply for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). This is a professional health education credentialing body in the U.S.
Master's in Health Learning Outcomes
The Master of Education degree with a Specialization in Health program at Cambridge College Puerto Rico prepares students in the following key areas:
- Confidently teaching comprehensive, skills-based health education as part of coordinated school health
- Identifying risk factors
- Guiding students to reduce risky behavior
- Enhancing overall well-being and academic performance through personalized learning projects
Master's in Health Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Master of Education Degree with a Specialization in Health Program Courses
Classes required in this MEd program include the following:
- Statistical Decision Techniques for Managers
- Principles of Health/Social Emotional Promotion and Public Health Issues
- Promoting Wellness: Building Positive Health/Social Emotional Behavior
- Preventing Unintentional Injury and Violence
- Evaluation of School Health/Social Emotional Programs
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
This program is for recertification by the Puerto Rico Department of Education as a health educator. Students must pass the PCMAS for recertification.
Master of Education with a Specialization in Health Careers and Salary
The median annual salary across the United States for health education specialists was $59,990 in May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 In Puerto Rico, the mean yearly wage was $36,080.2
$59,990
Median annual wage for health education specialists in the U.S., May 20221
$36,080
Mean annual salary for health education specialists in Puerto Rico, May 20222
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Health Education Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm (visited November 22, 2023).
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Health Education Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211091.htm#st (visited November 21, 2023).
Jobs in Health Education
Graduates of our Master of Education Degree with a Specialization in Health can teach in grades preK-12, undergraduate level in Puerto Rico. They can also teach courses and conduct research at universities. Many work as health educators in a variety of settings:
- Local health departments
- Hospitals and clinics
- Businesses and industry
- Public and private schools
Additional health education job titles3 include the following:
- Health educator
- Patient advocate
- Wellness coordinator
- Health coach
- Health journalist
- Case manager
- Community organizer
3Indeed, What Can You Do With a Health Education Degree, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-do-with-health-education-degree (visited November 21, 2023).
Faculty Spotlight
Roberto J. Rodríguez Santiago
EdD, MEd
Health Specialist, Education Leadership and Adjunct Professor
Dr. Roberto J. Rodríguez Santiago holds a Ed. D in Education with concentrations in higher education and organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). He has eighteen years of experience in the Department of Education of Puerto Rico where he has held several positions including teacher assistant, school health teacher, school health teaching facilitator, school director, special assistant, assistant secretary, operations manager of the school health program, Regional...