Health and Wellness Management (HWM) - Courses

HWM 300 Cr.3

Introduction to Human Health

This course is designed to provide students with a general background knowledge on many of the issues impacting our health today. Topics of study will include issues in mental, physical and social health such as stress, nutrition and fitness, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, relationships and sexuality and diseases and disorders. An introduction to behavior change theories and the factors contributing to overall wellness will also be included. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 305 Cr.3

The Wellness Profession

This course explores the definition of wellness, health promotion and the seven dimension model of wellness. Students will learn the professional role and personal commitment required to implement life-style wellness programs. The course includes an overview of the history and philosophy contributing to the success of wellness and health promotion professionals. Students learn through assigned experiential learning the basic wellness principles. Activities explore personal wellness and whole systems healing in the seven-dimensions of spiritual, physical, emotional, career, intellectual, environmental, and social. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 310 Cr.3

Changes Across the Lifespan

This course explores research and theory regarding the nature and processes of human development from early adulthood through old age and death. Key topics include biological theories of aging; the changing body; disorders of the brain; personality development; changing memory and thinking skills; relationship issues; careers and retirement, and death/dying. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 315 Cr.3

Workplace Wellness Program Management

The objective of this course is to examine the issues in healthcare and defining the quality of care in healthcare programs. The course will focus on health care financing and insurance, objectives of financial management, leadership styles, managing costs, and managing healthcare professionals. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 320 Cr.3

Health and Medical Terminology

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to basic health terminology. Since health care uses a unique blend of prefixes, suffixes, and terms related to both preventative and clinical care, it is important that the wellness professional has the knowledge and abilities to decipher this information. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 325 Cr.3

Health Literacy

This course will explore the current understandings and work in health literacy research, advocacy, and outreach efforts across the various health education and related fields. It will include readings, discussions, and competencies in evaluation of health information for quality and credibility; locating health information and determining quality resources; identifying and assessing population health literacy; and understanding the networks of agencies working in health settings to address literacy in the health field. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 335 Cr.3

Worksite Health Environment

This course examines the workplace environment's influence on daily health decisions and focuses on practical, contextual levers of behavioral change. Novel insights from the fields of behavioral economics and consumer marketing will be reviewed to help students understand the cognitive barriers to health behavior change and the environmental "nudges" that can be leveraged to overcome these barriers at work. Students will explore environmental assessment tools, active design principles, workplace policies, supportive research and real world examples. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 345 Cr.3

Physical Activity and Nutrition for Wellness Managers

This course presents professional recommendations and guidelines for physical activity and nutrition. Students will design workplace strategies that will meet recommendations and guidelines to support employees. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 350 Cr.3

Research and Statistics for Wellness Managers

This course is designed to familiarize students with research nomenclature, procedures for the design and evaluation of research and interpretation of statistical analysis in the health field. This course will also provide the tools for critically evaluating the validity of health research. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 360 Cr.3

Stress, Dependencies, and Addictions

This course examines common behavioral strategies with regard to stress and its management, and the use of alternative remedies for physical and emotional dependencies and addictions. Prerequisite: Introduction to Biology; Introduction to Psychology. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 370 Cr.3

Understanding and Effecting Health Behavior Change

This course provides the basic knowledge of foundational change theories, including the Transtheoretical Stages of Change model, in order to help students understand how health behavior change happens. Included in the course is a self-reflection on personal wellness and strategies for implementing health behavior change. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology; HWM 300. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 385 Cr.3

Marketing and Communication for Wellness Managers

Students will develop basic marketing and promotional skills, grounded in the disciplines of social marketing, health communication and business marketing that address consumer health "needs" and customer "wants." Students will be able to assess market opportunities in wellness services, programs and facilities, and create marketing strategies and tactics. Emphases will be placed on best practices for behavior change, increased cost savings for employers, improved customer/employee participation and /or revenues for wellness programs, services and facilities. Prerequisite: HWM 325. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 405 Cr.3

Survey of Information Technology in Wellness

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of information technology tools in the wellness industry and legal considerations for their use, such as but not limited to web portals, online assessments, health records applications, telephonic and digital health coaching, online challenges, online tracking tools, social media, videos, podcasts, mobile apps, and wearables. Prerequisite: HWM 315. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 430 Cr.3

Population Health for Wellness Managers

This course introduces the evolution of health problems and services and will examine the methods designed to capture a community health profile. The participant will apply concepts involved in measuring and understanding the health of individuals and populations in order to enhance quality of life. The key social determinants of wellness and their interactions will be considered. Prerequisite: HWM 300; HWM 350. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 460 Cr.3

Leadership and Change Management in Health

This course will examine the various leadership and management styles, including business models of leadership. Organizational behavior, decision-making, and attributes of effective leadership will be reviewed in this course. Understanding the impact of changes in healthcare, wellness, and fitness programs on various organizations is an objective of this course. Prerequisite: HWM 315. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 470 Cr.3

Assessment and Evaluation for Wellness Managers

This course surveys general approaches to assessment, programming and evaluation in health and wellness settings. Participants will explore individual, group, and organizational approaches to assessment, programming, and evaluating planned and organized efforts to promote both health and wellness. Prerequisite: HWM 335; HWM 430. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 475 Cr.3

Employee Health and Well-Being

Successful companies must understand the importance of workplace involvement in health. The relationship of employee health to healthcare costs and productivity will be discussed as a return on investment (ROI) and an investment in human capital. Strategic and product management planning are developed in relationship to disease management versus population wellness theory. Assessments of employer needs, organizational culture, environmental policy, and procedures supportive to desired outcomes are practiced. Professionals learn about aligning client needs and wants with best practice program design, implementation, and evaluation for successful results. Age, gender, race, and issues that affect participation in wellness programs are reviewed. Prerequisite: HWM 385. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 480 Cr.3

Employee Benefits for Wellness Managers

The design and administration of a health care plan plays a key role in attracting and retaining employees and implementing employer's cost savings. This course is designed to provide students with a solid introduction to the basic issues of health care benefits and teach students how to integrate successful return on investment (ROI) strategies for adopting preventive health benefits that enhance employees' well-being. Prerequisite: HWM 315. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 485 Cr.3

Health Coaching for Wellness Managers

The course will assist in developing a strong, useful theoretical viewpoint for health coaching as well as understanding the approaches of therapists and how differential treatment therapeutic goals are set. The definition of coaching and diverse methodologies will be taught, practiced, compared, and contrasted. Students will specifically gain an understanding of what treatment and by whom is most effective for individuals displaying specific problems and under what set of circumstances. As a result students will learn a variety of treatment modalities and learn to respect vastly differing world views. Prerequisite: HWM 305; HWM 370. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 492 Cr.1-6

Independent Study in Health and Wellness Management

This course is designed as a supplement to the required course work in HWM to meet special interests and/or needs of the student. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 493 Cr.1

Health and Wellness Management Fieldwork Prep

This course requires students to identify and secure fieldwork placement for completion the following semester. The fieldwork experience develops skills in program planning, implementation, promotion and evaluation, oral and written communication, collaboration and networking. Consent of department. Pass/Fail grading. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 494 Cr.3

Health and Wellness Management Fieldwork

Students engage in practical fieldwork experience as a pre-professional in a health/wellness setting to utilize skills and knowledge acquired in previous courses. This fieldwork experience is designed to further develop skills in some, but not necessarily all, of the following areas: program planning, implementation, promotion and evaluation, oral and written communication, collaboration and networking. Prerequisite: HWM 460, HWM 470, HWM 480, and HWM 493. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM 496 Cr.3

Health and Wellness Management Capstone

This course requires the application of knowledge and skills acquired through successful completion of all HWM courses taken prior to or concurrent with this course. Using a case study, students demonstrate competence in health and wellness management by completing assignments and participating in discussions that results in the logical, sequential building of a strategic plan for a comprehensive corporate wellness program. Students demonstrate interviewing, professional networking and resume writing skills along with formally presenting their final strategic plan. Prerequisite: HWM 460, HWM 470, HWM 480. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.