Median Pay: $59,990 per year

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree 

Number of Jobs: 60,400

Job Outlook: Employment of health education specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

Above information sourced from 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

Health Promotion Major (B.S.) Requirements (36-39 Credit Hours)

Requires 33-36 semester hours for Program Core, plus 6 hours of elective courses (selected from Health Promotion Elective Courses):

WELL 131 First Aid and Safety Education (3 Credit Hours)

Designed to aid the student in developing an understanding of the basic principles of accident prevention as applicable to the home, the highway, and the school. First aid measures for various injuries and illnesses are discussed and practiced.

WELL 178 Life Choices (3 Credit Hours)

The study of health-related factors enabling intelligent decisions as they relate to the physical, mental, and social health of self, family, and community.

WELL 252 Mental Health (3 Credit Hours)

The study of mental and emotional health. Emphasis on teaching and content development. Exploration of mental health issues: stress, lifestyle, fulfilment, suicide, and child abuse. 

WELL 272 Drugs and Society (3 Credit Hours)

The effect of drug use and abuse on the individual and society. Strategies for making intelligent decisions regarding drugs will be discussed. Drugs and the sporting society will also be included. Odd years only.

WELL 275 Foundations of Health Science (3 Credit Hours)

This course involves a study of the history, foundational disciplines, and principles that led to the establishment of health education. The role of health education in the present health care system is also studied.

WELL 311 Health Education - K-12 (3 Credit Hours)

The study of pedagogy and implementation of health-related concepts in the K-12 classroom.

WELL 340 Anatomy & Physiology (3 Credit Hours)

This course will examine the organization, structure, and function of the human body with a focus on health and physical activity. Students will explore each body system and understand how they coordinate to maintain homeostasis.

WELL 350 Administration of Public Health (3 Credit Hours)

WELL 361 Principles of Nutrition (3 Credit Hours)

This course presents the scientific principles of human nutrition. Emphasis will be placed on the health of the individual as related to food and its assimilation in the human body. Nutrient recommendations for growth and maintenance will be examined in both the average and athletic populations.

Or

WELL 461 Nutrition for Special Needs (3 Credit Hours)

This course will focus on the unique nutritional needs of various special populations. Common topics include diabetes, vegan/vegetarian, menopause, pregnancy, eating disorders, overweight/obesity, children, and the elderly.

WELL 485 Health Promotion Internship (3-6 Credit Hours)

Students will locate a discipline appropriate business and obtain approval from the worksite supervisor to complete their supervised internship with. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned through course work in a real-world setting. The student will choose either 3 or 6 credits, which will require 100 or 200 hours of supervised worksite experience, respectfully. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

6 Hours of Health Promotion Elective Courses:

PHED 351 Tests and Measurement in Health & Physical Education (3 Credit Hours)

Evaluating health and physical education by the construction and administration of tests. Emphasizes reliability, objectivity, and validity of tests and grading systems. Students will be required to organize, administer a test, and evaluate and report the results. Prerequisite: students must have junior or senior standing.

WELL 451 School and Community Health Workshop (3 Credit Hours)

WELL 461 Nutrition for Special Needs (3 Credit Hours)

This course will focus on the unique nutritional needs of various special populations. Common topics include diabetes, vegan/vegetarian, menopause, pregnancy, eating disorders, overweight/obesity, children, and the elderly.

WELL 475 Critical Areas in Health (3 Credit Hours)

The study of health problems and contemporary methods for assessing health disparities. The exploration of literature surrounding health issues. 

WELL 495 Independent Study (1-3 Credit Hours)

Independent study for advanced students only. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.