Health Promotion & Worksite Wellness Online
Cultivate healthier communities and organizations.
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Request InfoHealth Promotion & Worksite Wellness, M.S. Overview
The University of West Florida’s online MS in Health Promotion & Worksite Wellness can help you target a wide range of advanced roles in this emerging field, including specialist, coordinator, educator, director and administrator titles across communities and workplaces. You’ll be able to assist people in the community and employees in staying healthy, fit and lowering stress, along with topics across the social and psychological sphere of health education.
The program prepares you for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam, a competency-based exam to measure the obtainment, application and interpretation of knowledge in the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists. Recently, graduates of the master’s in health promotion degree program have had a 100% pass rate for the CHES exam.
Courses in the degree reflect current professional standards and practices in the health promotion field. And the curriculum is versatile. You can select electives that further specialize your course of studies in worksite wellness and other areas of interest. Plus, you’ll have the option for a thesis track if you’re interested in research or a doctoral program.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Working professionals seeking career advancement in the health promotion field
- Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds
You Will Be Able To:
- Identify, analyze, and synthesize health education concepts, principles and theories applicable to health promotion and worksite wellness.
- Compare and contrast health promotion program planning models and theories for application in health promotion and wellness settings.
- Present ideas clearly, effectively and articulately in written and oral communications.
- Recognize and propose solutions to ethical problems related to health promotion and health education.
- Develop skills related to the administration of health promotion programs in health and worksite wellness settings.
Courses and Requirements
UWF’s online master’s in health promotion includes a total of 39 credit hours. It requires completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher.
- HLP 6535 - Research Procedures
3 Credit Hours
Research Procedures
Research methodology, critical analyses and evaluation of current research, and design of a research proposal in the major field.
- HLP 6595 - Research Seminar
3 Credit Hours
Research Seminar
Development of a research design suitable for a thesis or research project in health, leisure or sports science.
- PHC 6000 - Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
3.0 Credit Hours
Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals
This foundational course covers the application of epidemiologic procedures to the understanding of the occurrence and control of conditions such as infections and chronic diseases, mental disorders, community, and environmental health hazards, accidents, and geriatric problems in human populations. The course is critical to developing student competency in the foundational and practical utilities of epidemiology as a tool for disease surveillance and outbreak investigations, disease prevention and treatment. Part of the Master of Public Health degree program.
- HSC 6037 - Philosophical Foundations of Health Education
3 Credit Hours
Philosophical Foundations of Health Education
High-order philosophical, ethical, and theoretical foundations of the professional practice of health education are explored. Students will be expected to develop their own philosophical, ethical and theoretical approach(es) to the field after becoming familiar with the peer-reviewed literature related to the health education.
- HSC 6226 - Current Issues in Worksite Wellness
3 Credit Hours
Current Issues in Worksite Wellness
Foundational course for developing, implementing, and evaluating Worksite Health Promotion (WHP) programs. Current issues related to worksite wellness and health promotion will be discussed and reviewed in detail. Topics include: history of WHP; the health/productivity/cost link; and WHP program framework. Worksite employee issues will be explored including: employee health needs, employee health interests, employee health interests, and accessing employee data. Worksite program goals, policy, implementation, participation generation, and evaluation will be analyzed. Management hierarchy and organizational values will be assessed in relation to building a healthy worksite environment. Funding and resource considerations will be evaluated.
- HSC 6587 - Health Education Program Planning and Evaluation
3 Credit Hours
Health Education Program Planning and Evaluation
This course is designed to prepare the graduate student with the theoretical and practical perspectives of health program planning and evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on the major components of program planning models; needs assessment; priority setting; program goals and objectives; program implementation and evaluation; and budgeting. Additional topics include: ethical issues related to health program planning; multicultural literacy; and grant writing. Graduate standing or permission from Health Education faculty for non-graduate students is required.
- HSC 6667 - Social Marketing in Health Education
3 Credit Hours
Social Marketing in Health Education
Provides students with an understanding of social marketing definitions, theory, and techniques. Social marketing systematically applies consumer marketing tools to achieve a consumer oriented approach to health promotion programming. Students will learn how to segment, reach, and influence target audiences while examining issues such as product planning, pricing, communication, distribution, and market research. As part of this course, students will apply marketing principles to design program messages and materials for behavior change initiatives.
- HSC 6135 - Health Literacy and Cultural Competency
3 Credit Hours
Health Literacy and Cultural Competency
The course examines the roles of health educators, public health professionals, health administrators, and other health professionals in providing culturally competent guidance and programming to consumers of health services. The course provides insight into the history of healthcare, examination of the role of culture in health and healing, health literacy, current issues, and challenges facing healthcare in contemporary society. Students will be challenged to integrate research and theory of health literacy principles as they apply concepts related to health communications and cultural competency.
Choose 15 Credit Hours From the Courses Listed Below
- HLP 6940 - Internship
3-6 Credit Hours
Internship
Placement in an appropriate agency or organization for the purpose of gaining some experience in the field. Faculty and agency personnel will supervise the student as the student participates in a wide range of services available in the setting. Goals and objectives will be planned by the student, instructor and agency supervisor. Reports will be required on a regular basis with a final report and oral interview. Permission is required. (may be repeated for up to 6 sh of credit)
- HLP 6971 - Thesis
1-6 Credit Hours
Thesis
Graded on a satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
- COM 5025 - Health Communication
3 Credit Hours
Health Communication
Provides an up-to-date overview of the healthcare industry, spotlighting communication issues in patient care, health care administration, public relations, human resources, health education and the media. Includes coverage of diverse cultures and ethical considerations. A highly interdisciplinary course useful for students considering any type of career in the healthcare industry. Offered concurrently with COM 4022; graduate students will be assigned additional work. Graduate standing is required.
- PHC 5410 - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
3 Credit Hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
Covers behavioral and social science contributions to science disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and anthropology, will be reviewed and integrated with public health objectives and outcomes. Using a biopsychosocial framework, the role of social, psychological, and behavioral factors in health and illness are emphasized.
- HSC 6106 - Health Delivery Systems
3 Credit Hours
Health Delivery Systems
This course explores health care delivery in the United States. Examines health care systems in other countries along with covering topics including American beliefs and values related to health care delivery, evolution of health services in the United States, health service professions, influence of medical technology, and the financing of health services.
- HSC 6905 - Directed Study
3 Credit Hours
Directed Study
MAN 5116 Management of Diversity 3 Roles, behaviors, career paths, motivational strategies, obstacles, and collegial reaction to managing diversity within the labor force are an integral aspect of the course. Personal assessment of communication styles and diversity in management styles are provided. Discussions focus on diversity awareness and strategies to enhance productivity through team effort. Emphasis on proactive steps to integrate a diverse work force toward a more productive unit. Offered concurrently with MAN 4102; graduate students will be assigned additional work. All majors encouraged. Graduate student status is required. Credit may not be earned in both MAN 5105 and MAN 5116.
- HSA 6342 - Human Resources in Healthcare
3 Credit Hours
Human Resources in Healthcare
This course applies the concepts and theories of human resources to the unique needs of the healthcare workforce. Areas of focus include recruitment and retention, training and development, performance appraisal, and employment law as it relates to healthcare employment. Students will acquire the skills needed to oversee a diverse healthcare workforce effectively.
- HSC 6528 - Prevention of Infectious Diseases
3.0 Credit Hours
Prevention of Infectious Diseases
An overview graduate level course of the methods and strategies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases within a population setting and the application of these tools in public health programs to achieve an epidemiologic impact on disease reduction, elimination or eradication. Methods covered in the course are those applied to population settings and address both vaccine and non-vaccine preventable diseases of public health significance.
- PHC 6300 - Environmental Health
3.0 Credit Hours
Environmental Health
This foundational pubic health course provides a broad overview of the relationship between humans and their environment, and of the efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental threats. Students will be given an overview of the chemical, physical, and biological hazards present in our living and working environment and their effects on human health. The course is designed to acquaint students with the scientific and technical foundations of population health and examines both the practice of environmental health and problems addressed public health practitioners.
- MAN 5116 - Management of Diversity
3 Credit Hours
Management of Diversity
Roles, behaviors, career paths, motivational strategies, obstacles, and collegial reaction to managing diversity within the labor force are an integral aspect of the course. Personal assessment of communication styles and diversity in management styles are provided. Discussions focus on diversity awareness and strategies to enhance productivity through team effort. Emphasis on proactive steps to integrate a diverse work force toward a more productive unit. Offered concurrently with MAN 4102; graduate students will be assigned additional work. All majors encouraged. Graduate student status is required. Credit may not be earned in both MAN 5105 and MAN 5116.
- PHC 5355 - Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
3.0 Credit Hours
Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
Concerns worker protection and serves as a prerequisite for advanced study of hazards and work settings. Development and management of occupational safety and health programs, resolution of safety and health issues, and improvement of safety performance. Introduction to safety and health fields, overview of loss control information and analysis, specific safety and health programs, and program implementation and maintenance. Offered concurrently with PHC 4341; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- HLP 6535 - Research Procedures
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the University of West Florida’s online master’s in health promotion, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:
- Undergraduate institutional GPA
- Undergraduate Senior Year/Major GPA
- Submission of letter of intent describing reasons for applying to the program and associated career goals
- Submission of contact information for two professional references
- Work experience as reflected in a resume
How to Apply
To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission into the University of West Florida. Review application deadlines. In addition, you must submit:
- Official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies.
- Contact information of professional and/or academic reference including title, email, and phone number (email addresses and phone numbers) for two professional references
- Resume including appropriate employment at increasing levels of responsibility
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $14,999.40 |
| In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 10) | $384.60 per credit hour | $11,153.40 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $40,725.36 |
| 90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $18,674.37 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online campus programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Active Duty Military
All active-duty members of the Armed Forces who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.
UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance
The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition, housing and meal plans at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
When you complete the online master’s in health promotion, you can pursue a variety of careers within the field.
Worksite Wellness Program Coordinator
Worksite Wellness Program Coordinator; or Administrator a business organization, government, or university setting
Director of Health Education
Director of Health Education/Promotion in a nonprofit or public health organization
Research Assistant
Research Assistant for a local or state government agency or higher education
Health Educator
Health Educator in a business organization, government, or school/university setting
Tobacco Treatment Specialist
Tobacco Treatment Specialist for a nonprofit or public health organization