Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Health program specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a health program specialist. Health program specialists usually study psychology, business, or public health. 59% of health program specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 742 real health program specialist resumes to see exactly what health program specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for health program specialists are the Jackson State University and the Jackson State University.
There are also many online health program specialist courses to help get the education required to be a health program specialist.
There are certain health program specialist certifications that you should consider. These health program specialist certifications include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES).
What education do you need to become a health program specialist?
What degree do you need to be a health program specialist?
- Bachelor's, 59%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 11%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a health program specialist?
- Psychology, 17%
- Business, 13%
- Public Health, 9%
- Nursing, 7%
- Other Majors, 54%
Most common colleges for health program specialists
| Health program specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Jackson State University | 25.56% |
| University of Central Arkansas | 6.02% |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 5.26% |
| Mississippi State University | 5.26% |
| Northern Arizona University | 4.51% |
Best majors for health program specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 16.6% |
| 2 | Business | 13.0% |
| 3 | Public Health | 9.1% |
| 4 | Nursing | 7.3% |
| 5 | Social Work | 6.5% |
Best colleges for health program specialists
The best colleges for health program specialists are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A health program specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for health program specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become health program specialists.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
8. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for health program specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice
Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...
2. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
3. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
4. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
5. Program Design & Evaluation for Health Systems Strengthening
This course provides an introduction to designing and evaluating to strengthen the health system. After successful completion of all learning activities, course participants will be able to: 1. Define health systems strengthening 2. Describe health systems frameworks and how to incorporate them into evaluation planning 3. Describe how to design and prioritize implementation of health systems programs 4. Detail approaches to evaluate health systems programs, including data sources and study...
6. Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions
This course focuses on data, evaluation methods and the economic evaluation of digital health interventions. This module focuses on key data considerations for digital health including data management, data visualisation and methods for evaluating digital health interventions. The key focus is on experimental and quasi-experimental design approaches that can be applied to evaluating digital health interventions and key considerations for the economic evaluation of digital health interventions...
7. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
8. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
9. Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
The Center for Humanitarian Emergencies is a partnership between CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch and the Rollins School of Public Health that drives global collaboration, research and evidence based training to improve the lives and well-being of populations impacted by humanitarian emergencies. - Center for Humanitarian Emergencies: http://www.che.emory.edu/ - CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch: http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/errb/index.html This course...
10. Systems Thinking In Public Health
This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...
11. Health Data 101
An Introduction to Health Data for data analysts...
12. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness
Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...
13. Health Informatics
This Specialization is intended for health professionals, administrators, health IT staff, vendors, startups, and patients who need or want to participate in the health IT/informatics process. Throughout the five courses of this Specialization, you will learn about the social and technical context of health informatics problems, how to successfully implement health informatics interventions, how to design a health informatics solution for decision support, and how to answer a health informatics...
14. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health
The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...
15. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
16. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
17. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist
Health Information Technology HIT...
18. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
19. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
20. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life
Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...
Top 10 most affordable universities for health program specialists
The most affordable schools for health program specialists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.
If the best universities for health program specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for health program specialists.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for health program specialists
The hardest universities for health program specialists to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for health program specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for health program specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,443
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for health program specialists
The easiest schools for health program specialists to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and nyack college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a health program specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for health program specialists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
7. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
Average health program specialist salary by education level
| Health program specialist education level | Health program specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $60,000 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $44,692 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $50,891 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,919 |
Health program specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for health program specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025