Health Professions Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Health Professions Education prepares professionals to lead and innovate within academic and clinical training environments across diverse healthcare disciplines. This program emphasizes the development of advanced competencies in teaching, curriculum design, and educational leadership for healthcare practitioners.
- Academic Leadership: Cultivates strategic decision-making and management abilities essential for guiding educational institutions and academic departments in health sciences.
- Assessment: Focuses on designing and implementing valid, reliable evaluation methods to measure learner performance and program effectiveness.
- Clinical Decision Making: Explores the cognitive and ethical processes involved in real-world clinical judgment, with application to teaching and mentorship.
- Curriculum Development: Equips learners with frameworks and methodologies for creating dynamic, competency-based educational programs aligned with professional standards.
- Ethics: Addresses moral and professional dilemmas in healthcare education, including issues related to equity, informed consent, and professional conduct.
- Primary Care Education: Concentrates on training models and pedagogical strategies specific to preparing providers in primary care and community-based health settings.
- Program Evaluation: Teaches systematic approaches to analyzing educational initiatives, using data to inform improvements and ensure accountability.
- Research Methods: Provides foundational and advanced training in designing, conducting, and interpreting educational research studies.
- Statistics: Develops analytical skills necessary for understanding and applying quantitative data in educational planning, assessment, and research.
Health Professions Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Health Professions Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Health Professions Education degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Education Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 465,230 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033 | $103,960 | $63,820 - $212,420 | 176,420 | $49.98 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
Health Professions Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $64,387 in Hawaii to $115,820 in District of Columbia—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and Delaware. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 465,230 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Health Professions Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 17 institutions offering Health Professions Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Health Professions Education is found at Campbell University (19 graduates), University of Connecticut (UConn) (13 graduates), University of Missouri (UMKC), Kansas City (9 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (8 graduates), and Logan University (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 102 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell University |
Doctorate (Other)
|
19 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
9 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
8 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Logan University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Chesterfield, Missouri | Private | logan.edu |
| Bellarmine University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | bellarmine.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Master's
|
5 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| University of Lynchburg |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | lynchburg.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Master's
|
4 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Other Award
|
3 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Butler University |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | unthsc.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Health Professions Education programs
How much can I earn with a Health Professions Education degree?
Salaries for Health Professions Education graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earn around $103,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $115,820 compared to $64,387 in Hawaii. Approximately 465,230 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Health Professions Education programs?
Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Health Professions Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Campbell University (19 graduates), University of Connecticut (UConn) (13 graduates), and University of Missouri (UMKC), Kansas City (9 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Health Professions Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, and Education Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 465,230 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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