Health & Wellness Promotion
Health and Wellness Promotion PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Health and Wellness Promotion is our 100% online, interdisciplinary field that involves the application of health-related knowledge and behavioral science to help people, organizations, and communities change lifestyle behaviors to improve short- and long-term physical and psychological health and well-being. Research has repeatedly found that controllable behaviors account for a significant percentage of the causes of health outcomes. For example, a study published in August 2022 found that almost 50% of all worldwide cancer deaths were associated with preventable behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and obesity. Health and Wellness Promotion focuses on how to change those behaviors. Persons working in the field will typically have job titles such as Health Promotion Specialist, Community Health Consultant, Health Educator, and Employee Wellness Program Coordinator.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
The COVID-19 pandemic, the rising mental health challenges, and the many health inequities
identified between rural and urban regions have made clear the need for individuals
with expertise in health and wellness promotion. The graduates of this program would
be on the front lines, applying their skills to addressing these challenges and directly
impacting the quality of life of residents of North Carolina and throughout the nation.
The key objective of the program is to prepare graduates to meet the requirements
of the National Wellness Institute to become Certified Wellness Practitioners.
offer a curriculum providing knowledge and training in the system, methodological,
project management, contextual, and professional aspects of health and wellness promotion
that would develop in graduates the competencies required by the National Wellness
Institute for certification as Wellness Practitioners. The competencies are in the
following five domains:
- Authenticity and Self-Awareness - Engage in ongoing reflection to expand personal growth and professional development in multiple dimensions of wellness
- Whole Person and Systems Approaches - Using an ecological approach, apply relevant theories and models to explain the integrated role of physical, social, intellectual, emotional, occupational, & spiritual aspects in the human pursuit & experience of wellness throughout the lifespan; Use appropriate techniques to encourage individuals to be active participants in their wellness journeys.
- Inclusive and Responsive Practices - Practice compassion & multicultural competence in assisting individuals in identifying barriers or resistance to change that are interrupting their ability to integrate wellness-promoting behaviors into their lives.
- Communication and Connection - Recognize the influence of organizational development, leadership, & culture on individual wellness; use meaningful and inclusive communication methods & technologies to support, manage, and promote wellness initiatives; use quantitative & qualitative feedback to continually evaluate the quality & effectiveness of initiatives.
- Legal and Ethical Principles - Understand and comply with legal standards for confidentiality, compliance, and mandated reporting.
DEGREE PROGRAM
The Health and Wellness Promotion degree program is a fully online program that combines
specific coursework from degree programs in the Department of Health and Human Studies:
Health and Kinesiology, Pharmaceutical Science, Psychology, and Social Work. Students
will complete 6 credit hours of field and research experience as part of the degree.
Students must earn a ‘C’ or higher in all courses required for the Health and Wellness
Promotion degree. Students are expected to sit for the Certified Wellness Practitioner
Exam at the conclusion of their degree program.
Mr. Jonathan James
Lecturer of Psychology and Co-Advisor, ECSU Psychology Club
Department of Health and Human Studies
1704 Weeksville Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
jjames@ecsu.edu
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