Health Promotion and Wellness

The Health Promotion and Wellness Track prepares students for a career as a health and wellness coach in private practice or as part of a team in settings such as a medical practice or corporate wellness. Additionally, this program prepares individuals for a variety of careers in health education and wellness as they develop the ability to design, implement and evaluate wellness programs.

Students will participate in 40 hours of synchronous coaching sessions. They’ll interact with our expert faculty and their fellow peers in mock coaching sessions. They’ll have the opportunity to see health and wellness coaches in action. Additionally, students will participate in an exam and a one-on-one coaching session.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs within the Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers fields to grow 17% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average. There are a number of careers graduates of the program can pursue, including:

• Wellness Coach
• Health Educator
• Health and Wellness Coordinator

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Curriculum

Health Sciences Core Curriculum (12 Credit Hours)

HS 504 Research Methods (3 credits)

Introduction to general research principles and research ethics. The student will be introduced to the following topics in the research process: problem statement, question formulation, principles of measurement, basic design and methodological features, issues of reliability and validity, and fundamentals of conducting a literature review. Quantitative article critiques will be conducted in class and outside of class. The class format will include lecture, small group discussion, and practice.

HS 506 Data and Decision-Making (3 credits)

This course will focus on the use and application of statistics commonly found in the field of exercise science. Topical areas include but are not limited to determining appropriate statistical tests to perform, interpreting results and determining appropriate follow-up tests as needed. Emphasis is on design of experiments and appropriate statistical test usage, and interpretation of results.

HS 507 Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)

This course is designed to prepare health care professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to make independent judgments about the validity, results, and application of clinical research and to implement evidence-based clinical practice in their careers. This course will focus on the concepts of evidence-based practice with emphasis on forming answerable clinical questions and effective literature search strategies.

HS 602 Applications of Education Practice (3 credits)

This course will explore best practices of the application of educational instruction and delivery for individuals working in a variety of employment settings with diverse populations including clients, patients, students and community learners. This course will include topics associated with generational learning, learning styles, learning design for groups and individuals along with various styles of delivery.

Health & Wellness Coaching (15 Credit Hours)

WE 610 Population Health Issues (3 credits)

In this course the health issues of specific populations will be discussed, including gender and age specific populations, as well as one or two additional populations driven by class preferences. Additional populations may include shift workers, various ethnic groups, or religious groups. Health and well-being issues specific to each population selected will be discussed and explored and evidence-based strategies developed to address the issues for each population. The ecological model of health promotion will be explored. Class format will include lecture and small group activities.

WE 630 Nutrition & Exercise for Health & Wellness (3 credits)

This course includes an overview of chronic diseases and associated risk factors. The effects of behaviors in the etiology and treatment of chronic diseases are examined. Emphasis is placed on the effects of modifying behaviors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, smoking, and alcohol use as well as stress reduction. The role of exercise and diet in integrative lifestyle medicine is explored. Basic skills in exercise prescription and nutritional intervention strategies within scope of practice are developed.

WE 700 Theories of Behavior Change (3 credits)

This course explores health promotion and wellness, social determinants of health, health education, and public health programs. The theoretical basis and the evidence supporting health and wellness coaching will be discussed. Theories of behavior change and wellness coaching will be evaluated. Coaching strategies to be developed include motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry, and positive psychology. Focus will be placed on developing one-on-one practical coaching skills while emphasizing ethical and legal practice considerations. Several synchronous sessions are required.

WE 710 Theories & Application of Wellness Coaching (3 credits)

This course explores the theoretical basis and the evidence supporting health and wellness coaching. The concept and structure of the coaching approach for facilitating sustainable behavior change is examined. The major tenets of coaching strategies including motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry, and positive psychology are explained and practiced. The coaching process is emphasized with focus placed on developing one-on-one practical coaching skills. Several synchronous sessions are required.

WE 711 Advanced Wellness Coaching (3 credits)

This course provides an opportunity to practice and develop the health/wellness coaching competency required for teaching and practicing coaching. Knowledge and skills developed in prerequisite courses are synthesized and expanded. Emphasis is placed on the application of coaching skills, and practice sessions with feedback are included. Also included is the business of health/wellness coaching including ethics and legalities. A practical skills exam and several synchronous sessions are required. (Prerequisites: WE 710)

Elective (3 Credit Hours) or Thesis (6 Credit Hours)

Elective course (3 credits)

OR

HS 686A Health Science Thesis (3 credits)
HS 686B Health Science Thesis (3 credits)

Webinars