Program Description
The Health
Promotion/Wellness program trains
professionals who can deliver
scientifically based programs aimed at
improving the quality of life for all
people. Students in the major exemplify
academic excellence as they are required
to achieve a minimum of a 2.75 overall
grade point average for graduation. The
program has been recognized three times
as the top undergraduate program in the
nation by the Association for Worksite
Health Promotion.
High School Preparation
High school students
are expected to pursue a college preparation curriculum
and should engage in studies focusing on a strong
biology, chemistry and mathematics background.
Additional courses in psychology, computer technology,
health education, and physical education are helpful.
Department Features
Health
Promotion/Wellness faculty have regional and national
identity in: the American College of Sports Medicine,
the Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation, the National Wellness Association, the
National Safety Council. Opportunities for professional
students to participate in state, regional and national
conferences are provided annually. We challenge our
students to "walk their talk", that is, one must live
the wellness model, not just talk about it. A
multidisciplinary curriculum provides a knowledge base
in the seven dimensions of Wellness programming. Social,
Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual,
Environmental, and Spiritual (SPECIES) dimensions are
interrelated by professional staff from the specialties
of pyschology, health education, business, human
development, gerontology, environmental studies and
occupational health and safety. This model, created at
UWSP, has been adopted by over fifty universities across
the country.
Field Experiences
Practicums and
a full semester internship at selected worksites are
required. Interns have been placed internationally at
prestigious organizations including: Australian Post-Pet
Institute, Cooper’s Aerobic Center, Johnson and Johnson,
Duke University Healthy Living Center, Harvard Medical
Center, Living Well Premier Health Club - London, U.S.
Olympic Center, and the White House Fitness Center. Nine
additional pre-intern practicum experiences are provided
to students to prepare for internships.
Career Opportunity
Located in a
corporate, community, hospital, commercial or
educational setting, this career demands expertise in
both facilitating behavior change and promoting healthy
lifestyles. UWSP health promotion professionals provide
expertise in facilitating participants’ lifestyle
choices, promoting and marketing health programs
through: screenings including health risk appraisals and
risk management; implementing programs in fitness,
nutrition, health education, stress management, smoking
cessation, behavior modification and back care;
developing incentive programs, marketing, public
relations, fundraising campaigns; and managing fitness
and wellness facilities that provide community
activities for participants.
