Master of Science, Health Promotion and Wellness Management
Sarah McCallister, Department Head
Phone 836-5370;
HeathPEandRecreation@missouristate.edu
Program Description
The Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management is a 36-37 hour interdisciplinary program. It is designed to provide preparation for students from diverse backgrounds in health, human services, and business.
The curriculum integrates managerial skills with scientific and clinical knowledge of preventive medicine, behavioral psychology, health care economics, public health, contemporary health issues, and organizational theory. The result is a competency-based, multi-disciplinary academic preparation for professionals dedicated to assuming leadership and managerial positions within the health and wellness industry. Students are prepared for careers as managers and program development specialists/educators of health and wellness programs in hospital or corporate-based wellness settings, health maintenance organizations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, private fitness clubs, sports medicine facilities, and volunteer agencies.
Curricular activities are complemented by research opportunities in the well-equipped exercise science laboratory. Diverse practical experience opportunities are provided in conjunction with the campus wellness initiative directed by the Health Education Coordinator in Taylor Health Center and with the expanding clinical and community facilities in the Springfield metropolitan area.
Entrance Requirements
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate work.
- Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the General Examination.
- Prerequisite courses: 12 hours. Students entering the program should have an undergraduate course in statistics, exercise physiology, introductory psychology, and business management. A student who does not meet these criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be considered on the basis of individual merit and accepted on a probationary status.
Accelerated Master's Degree Option
Students enrolled in programs housed in the Kinesiology Department may be accepted into the Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management program after admission requirements for the accelerated master's option are met. Once accepted, up to 12 credit hours of approved 600 and 700-level coursework may be counted toward both the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science in Education and the Master of Science degree programs.
The accelerated option allows majors in the Department of Kinesiology who are interested in health promotion and wellness management to complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree in three semesters and a summer rather than the typical four semesters and a summer. For more information and guidelines, contact the Health Promotion and Wellness Management program director in the Kinesiology Department.
Before enrolling in each course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and complete a Mixed Credit Form. Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.
Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Option
- Senior standing and an overall GPA of 3.2 or better.
- Completion of an undergraduate course in statistics or measurement and evaluation, exercise physiology, biomechanics, introductory psychology, and business management. A student who does not meet these criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be considered on the basis of individual merit.
Degree Requirements (minimum of 36 hours)
- Required Core - 15 hours
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HLH 700 | Research Methods in Health, Physical Education and Recreation | 3 hrs |
| HLH 710 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Wellness Management | 3 hrs |
| HLH 750 | Programming Approaches in Wellness/Health Promotion | 3 hrs |
| HLH 752 | Health Risk Identification and Management | 3 hrs |
| HLH 760 | Health Promotion Planning | 3 hrs |
2. Choose from the following electives (9-10 hours)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KIN 667 | Physical and Leisure Activities for the Aging Adult | 3 hrs* |
| KIN 669 | Health Appraisal and Exercise Testing Techniques | 4 hrs* |
| KIN 705 | Applied Statistics in Health, Physical Education and Recreation | 3 hrs |
| KIN 737 | Curriculum Designs in Physical Education | 3 hrs |
| KIN 759 | Contemporary Heath Problems | 3 hrs |
| KIN 760 | Applied Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 hrs |
| KIN 762 | Applied Exercise Physiology | 3 hrs |
| KIN 797 | Graduate Seminar | 1-3 hrs |
| KIN 781 | Contemporary Issues in Physical Education | 3 hrs |
| MGT 600 | Administrative, Organizational, and Operations Concepts for Managers | 3 hrs |
| PLS 651 | Administrative Law | 3 hrs |
| ECO 604/ HCM 604 |
Health Care Economics OR | |
| COM 736 | Concepts and Analysis of Communication in Organizations OR | |
| MGT 764 | Organizational Behavior OR | |
| PSY 718 | Organizational Psychology | 3 hrs |
3. Internship
HLH 791 Wellness Internship 1-6 hrs
Supervised work in an approved health promotion/ health care setting. As a culminating experience, the internship is crucial to the Program. Students must complete a minimum of 400-600 clinical hours.
The intern experience (HLH 791) is an integral part of this major and should be planned (in consultation with the advisor) in advance of the semester in which the student desires to register for the experience.
Application deadlines for HLH 791 are as follows: Fall - March 1; Spring - September 1; Summer - January 1. Applications are available from, and are to be returned to, the graduate coordinator.
4. Research
KIN 799 Thesis OR 6 hrs
KIN 795 Research Project 3 hrs
PLUS Completion of 700-level 3 hr course
selected with Advisor 3 hrs
5. Comprehensive Examination. A written comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.