Advance your Education and Career through Graduate Degrees Geared Towards Public Service
If you are ready to grow in your career as a public service leader, contact us to learn more about the outstanding opportunities in graduate education at East Carolina University.
ECU’s motto is “To Serve,” so it’s no surprise we offer numerous programs, emphasized in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts of Sciences and College of Health and Human Performance, to educate and develop leaders for public service. Many of these programs have a long history and all of them continue the tradition of excellence demonstrated by our many alumni engaged in public service across the state and nation.
Graduate Degrees
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Visit MS Criminal Justice site
- 100% online; Complete the program at your own pace
- No GRE required
- Ranked the top online criminal justice master’s program in North Carolina and among the top 25% in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- 65,000 openings in law enforcement annually
- Successful careers in law enforcement, fraud investigation, courts and institutional corrections, victim services, crime research and analysis, private investigation, and higher education
Master of Science in Environmental Health
Visit MS Environmental Health site
- 100% online Applied degree option
- No GRE required
- Research degree option is ideal for intensive, hands-on data collection
- Current professionals can upgrade their credentials and improve career prospects
- 20% projected employment growth through 2030; Work for public- and private-sector employers
Master of Arts in Health Education
Visit MA Health Education site
- 100% online; Designed with professionals in mind
- No GRE required
- Ranked #1 in 2023 from OnlineMastersDegrees.org
- Graduates eligible to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination
- Use social and behavioral theories/models to design, implement and evaluate community health programs
- Successful careers as health educators in academic, clinical, community or corporate settings
Master of Science in Planning and Development
Visit MS Planning and Development site
- 100% online; Transfer up to 50% of academic credits from another institution
- No GRE, GMAT, thesis or internship required
- Choose from concentrations in Coastal and Environmental Planning, Urban and Community Planning, or Rural and Regional Planning
- Study abroad with faculty and students
- Median pay of $79,540 nationwide
Master of Public Administration
Visit Public Administration site
- 100% online for E-MPA; In-person and online hybrid for T-MPA
- 24-month traditional (T-MPA), or 36-month executive track (E-MPA)
- No GRE required
- Nationally accredited
- Small class sizes (15 students average)
- Successful careers in budget and finance, policy analysis or management, economic development, human resources, public affairs, non-profits, and local, state or federal governments
Master of Science in Recreation Sciences
Visit MS Recreation Sciences site
- 100% on-campus
- No GRE required
- Choose from concentrations in Recreation and Park Administration, or Recreational Therapy Administration
- Opportunity to complete certificate programs in aquatic therapy and biofeedback
- National Excellence in Education award winner
Master of Science in Security Studies
Visit MS Security Studies site
- 100% online; 10:1 student-faculty ratio
- No GRE required
- Choose from concentrations in International Security, Homeland Security Policy, Science and Technology Security, or Environmental Health and Occupational Safety
- Ranked #4 at BestColleges.com
- 30% projected employment growth through 2030, with median wages from $66,000 – $102,000
- Successful careers in military service, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, emergency management, foreign service, media, and cyber and Internet security
Master of Social Work
- 100% online, and in-person options
- No GRE required
- Field education complements the signature pedagogy
- Emphasizes enhanced person-in-environment framework to produce practitioner leaders
- Nationally Accredited
- Alumni regularly win National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter awards
- 12% projected employment growth through 2030
Graduate Certificates
In addition to our graduate degree programs, ECU offers several certificate programs that focus on a specific topic and can be completed in a shorter amount of time than a full degree program.
- Economic Development – A flexible program that provides the economic development professional with right mix of analytical, theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.
- Professional Communication -Providing communication professionals with the conceptual and technical knowledge needed to stay current and competitive.
- Public Management and Leadership – Related to our Masters in Public Administration program, this certificate will help enhance your knowledge and skills as a public service leader.