Health and Wellness Promotion
The Health and Wellness Promotion major in the Department of Health and Wellness is the newest major on campus and is designed for students interested in becoming leaders in the fight against an increasingly serious health crisis in America. The major prepares graduates to provide education and motivation for individuals to maintain good health, prevent disease, secure treatment when needed, and promote quality of life.
This innovative major, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree, prepares students to provide educational, informational and support services to populations at risk for health problems. Training in fitness and nutrition, health communications, personal wellness coaching, health promotion programming and materials development, biomechanics, motor development, health psychology and consumerism are topics covered. The curriculum also emphasizes multi-level programs aimed at the promotion of fitness and healthy lifestyles, prevention of childhood and adult obesity, HIV/STD prevention, substance abuse prevention, worksite and senior wellness programming, developing cultural competence, and achieving racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health parity.
Students are prepared, supported and expected to serve as healthy role models. The major requires them to complete internships with organizations throughout the state and beyond so that our graduates have real, practical experience in the profession, which will be advantageous when pursuing employment.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
This degree prepares students for careers in worksite wellness, hospital-based wellness programs, state or community health centers, retirement and nursing home wellness programs, commercial and non-profit health organizations, fitness, and recreation centers, and other related areas. Other possibilities include jobs all over the world in public health agencies, voluntary nonprofit organizations, schools/colleges/universities, medical-care settings, business and industry, medical and pharmaceutical sales, and many more areas. Graduate and/or professional degree options include exercise physiology, nutrition, health education, health promotion, gerontology, public health, medicine and other health-related professional programs.
North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness
The Health and Wellness Promotion degree program will be the centerpiece of the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness, to be built on campus at the end of the decade. Associated activities, outreach programs, student services, research and conference facilities also will be part of the N.C. Center for Health and Wellness. The 2004 General Assembly appropriated $35 million, and with additional private funding construction is set to begin in 2008. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion among children, specifically to combat childhood obesity, worksite wellness and health promotion among older adults. Health and Wellness Promotion majors will be involved in all activities through service learning, internships and community-based undergraduate research. Complementary activities may include health fairs, a distinguished lecture series, an annual state conference, and other initiatives as partnerships develop.
More Information
Health and Wellness Department
Weizenblatt Hall, CPO #2730
UNC Asheville
One University Heights,
Asheville, NC 28804
828.251.6513
ehenshaw@unca.edu