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    Health and Wellness Master's Degree

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    Health and Wellness Master's Degree Overview


    Turn Your Passion For Wellness Into a Career


    Reactionary care is a thing of the past. The new healthcare model relies on prevention, with health insurers and employers alike recognizing that the most efficient system is one that keeps people out the hospital in the first place.

    That's where you come in. With a Master of Science in Wellness and Health Promotion Management, you'll create, manage and assess wellness initiatives in corporate, community and clinical settings. 

    NMC has served as an educational leader in wellness and health promotion for more than 20 years. As a healthcare institution, we understand the importance of producing results-oriented health promotion programs and services. 

    Concentrations Offer In-Demand Knowledge

    • Worksite & Community Wellness — Complete four WellCert professional certifications, incorporated through a partnership with the Chapman Institute. These industry-leading certifications include:
      • Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC)
      • Certified Wellness Program Manager (CWPM)
      • Certified Wellness Program Director (CWPD)
      • Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant (CWWPC)
    • Medical Fitness Management — This track's courses will prepare you to sit for the Fitness Facility Director Certification exam offered by the Medical Fitness Association. (NMC is currently the only graduate program in the country to offer this opportunity.)

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Health Educators in May 2020 was $56,500, while projected job growth is expected to be 13% between 2019 and 2029, faster than the average across all occupations.

    Program Perks
    • The master's degree can be completed in 21 months.
    • No GRE required for admission
    • Flexible online format allows you to advance your educational goals while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.
    • Courses are 5-10 weeks long, with scheduled breaks every 5 weeks.
    • The program requires 36 credit hours for completion.
    • Access courses online at any time of the day.
    • Complete a practice-based capstone rather than a thesis.
    • Program curriculum aligns with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Areas of Responsibility that are required for students to take the CHES exam.

    Accreditation & Licensure

    Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Health and Wellness Master's Degree Admissions Information

    Criteria

    Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited university or college - does not have to be in healthcare
    • Bachelor's degree GPA of 3.0 or above (Students below a 3.0 will be reviewed on an individual basis.)
    • Non-Nebraska residents meet State Authorization Regulations

    Requirements

    To be considered for admission the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

    Deadlines

    Students interested in a wellness and health promotion master's degree may apply anytime and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their acceptance by letter or phone.

    Starting Term - Summer 2022

    Priority Deadline - 3/4/2022

    Standard Deadline - 4/1/2022

    Starting Term - Fall 2022

    Standard Deadline - 7/15/2022

    Costs & Financial Aid

    NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

    Cost Per Credit Hour

    $741

    NMC Scholarships

    NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

    Student Grants or Loans

    Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

    Employee Education Benefits

    Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

    External Scholarships

    Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

    Calculate Your Net Price

    Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

    Curriculum

    The program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. All students in this wellness and health promotion master's degree are required to complete specific coursework. This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change.

    Core

    IDS 500
    WELLNESS & HEALTH PROMOTION MANAGEMENT ORIENTATION
    DETAILS
    This course provides the Master of Science in Wellness & Health Promotion Management program orientation for Nebraska Methodist College. Emphasis will be placed on program expectations, student resources, and scholarly writing.

    Prerequisites: Admission to the WHPM Program

    HPM 519
    ORGANIZATIONAL DIAGNOSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT
    DETAILS
    This course presents the theory, structure, and instrumentation for assessing the health and organizational development needs of an organization, agency or other community population. The course examines models/tools that serve as guides for planning, conducting and reporting a comprehensive needs assessment within the context of whole-person, whole-organization health promotion. A needs assessment will be designed and administered by the student during this course resulting in the identification of a priority health promotion issue(s) for a specific target population and recommendations for future planning.

    HPM 525
    HUMAN RESOURCE & STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
    DETAILS
    This course presents an overview of the human resource and strategic management functions and the economic and legal environments in which manager’s duties are performed. The theoretical framework for, and practical administration of human resource and strategic management areas covered will include policy and procedures, staffing, recruitment and retention, compensation, staff development, performance evaluation, disciplinary action, cultural competence, diversity, budgeting, strategic planning, business plan development, and ensuring that actions are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

    HPM 575
    CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF RESEARCH & STATISTICS
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to prepare the graduate student to critically examine research and statistical data for validity and reliability to make effective business and health promotion decisions. The course also provides students with the skills to determine quality of evidence and potential biases.

    HPM 550
    HEARTSET, MINDSET, & SKILLSET OF COACHING
    DETAILS
    This course utilizes the evidence-based psychology of coaching to provide students with the heartset, mindset, and skillset to facilitate coaching sessions that support healthy lifestyle changes which may prevent, treat, and/or reverse chronic conditions and enhance wellbeing. The course also examines techniques for utilizing coaching principles as a leadership tool for success.

    HPM 660
    LIFESTYLE MEDICINE & HEALTH BEHAVIOR THEORIES
    DETAILS
    This course examines evidence-based lifestyle medicine recommendations and interventions to prevent, treat, and possibly reverse chronic diseases. Students analyze the key components of health behavior change theories and their application in research and practice in support of adopting healthy behaviors. Students will apply motivational interviewing techniques to assist clients/patients in strengthening motivation and readiness to change. Recommendations and interventions focus on nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, tobacco & alcohol addictions, and healthy relationships.

    HPM 565
    POPULATION HEALTH FOR THE HEALTH & WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL
    DETAILS
    This course examines the opportunities for collaboration between health care delivery systems, public health agencies, community-based organizations, worksite wellness programs, and medical fitness facilities to develop interventions to improve the health outcomes in the populations they serve. Focus areas will include appropriate wellness programming for special populations, policy implications for population health, the political landscape in relation to health, legal implications of health reform, and eliminating health disparities.

    MBH 684
    STRATEGIC MARKETING FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
    DETAILS
    This course delivers marketing principles and skills related to developing marketing research, target marketing, branding, marketing strategies, marketing design, and measuring marketing effectiveness that culminate into the development of an original marketing plan.

    EDD 736
    LEADERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS
    DETAILS
    This course will focus on the leadership of complex organizations and the skills and qualities leaders need to change organizations. In order to be effective, leaders must understand themselves, the organizations they head, and the complex social and political environments that they are asked to navigate on a daily basis. Students will become acquainted with the principles, concepts, and major theories of leadership; reflect upon their own leadership styles and behavioral tendencies; and apply this new learning to a variety of situations and problems simulating real challenges in real-world organizational settings.

    EDD 756
    ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE & ACCOUNTABILITY
    DETAILS
    This course introduces strategies for transforming organizational culture. Students will explore concepts including organizational awareness, relationship building, and issues around accountability in organizational settings. The course explores how to generate creative ideas using mindsets and practices exhibited by successful innovators. At the end of this course, students will have a good working knowledge of various models, frameworks, and theories that help explain how organizational change and reform occur.

    HPM 592
    CAPSTONE I
    DETAILS
    Students will synthesize concepts, ideas, knowledge, skills, and experiences from courses throughout the program into an e-portfolio and a comprehensive health promotion or medical fitness capstone project. This course will include the creation of a formal proposal that must be submitted and approved by the faculty and the organization involved in the project. All projects will be designed collaboratively between students and faculty to round out a student’s integrative experience in the Program. In this first of a two-course series students will conduct a scholarly literature search related to a specific health promotion or medical fitness problem or issue, critically appraise the evidence, select a community mentor, and apply a theoretical framework as a foundation for a capstone project.

    HPM 594
    CAPSTONE II
    DETAILS
    Students will synthesize concepts, ideas, knowledge, skills, and experiences from courses throughout the program into an e-portfolio and a comprehensive health promotion or medical fitness capstone project. This course will include the creation of a formal proposal that must be submitted and approved by the faculty and the organization involved in the project. All projects will be designed collaboratively between students and faculty to round out a student’s integrative experience in the Program. In this second of a two-course series students will submit an e-portfolio highlights their projects for completion of the program objectives, implement Capstone project plan, develop and submit a professionally written Capstone project and oral presentation.

    Prerequisites: HPM 592

    Worksite & Community Wellness Concentration

    HPM 580
    BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR RESULTS-DRIVEN WELLNESS PROGRAMMING
    DETAILS
    This course focuses on key skills needed to build a foundation for results-driven wellness programming. Skills obtained in the course which include building strong senior management support, assessing wellness needs, utilization of Health Risk Assessments, designing health management processes, designing effective wellness communications, and performing simple program evaluation, will lead to the completion of WellCert Level 1 Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC) in cooperation with the Chapman Institute.

    Prerequisites: HPM 519

    HPM 581
    HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM DESIGN & MANAGEMENT
    DETAILS
    This course focuses on program design strategies and operational aspects of program management. Skills obtained in the course which include overcoming stakeholder objections, managing vendor relationships, maximizing wellness program participation, utilization of wellness incentives, budgeting for wellness, and analyzing & optimizing program results and returns, will lead to the completion of WellCert Level 2 Certified Wellness Program Manager (CWPM) in cooperation with the Chapman Institute.

    Prerequisites: HPM 580 or WellCert Level 1 certification

    HPM 585
    COMPLEX PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND EFFECTIVE WELLNESS CONSULTING
    DETAILS
    This course focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating worksite wellness programs for large and complex employers as well as developing skills to become an effective wellness consultant. Skills obtained in this course which include implementing wellness in large employer organizations, strategies to maximize health and productivity management, utilizing positive psychology to enhance wellness, understanding the relationship between health risks and health costs, estimating budget requirements, addressing presenteeism issues through wellness programming, and designing programs that produce behavior change will lead to the completion of two advanced levels of wellness certification, Certified Wellness Program Director (CWPD) and Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant (CWWPC), in cooperation with the Chapman Institute.

    Prerequisites: HPM 581

    Medical Fitness Management Concentration

    HPM 570
    MEDICAL FITNESS MANAGEMENT
    DETAILS
    This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, design, implement, and evaluate medically sound programs and services that safely promote physically active lifestyles to reduce the risk of disease and promote health and wellness. Topics include fitness facilities operations, role facilities will play in the future of healthcare, risk and emergency management, staffing, quality outcomes, and assuring a safe environment of care.

    EDD 786
    ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES & SUSTAINABILITY
    DETAILS
    This course equips students with concepts and strategies necessary to analyze system performance, healthcare outcomes, and evaluate impact. Students will learn to make evidence-based recommendations for interventions based on the data. Students will develop skills to design a comprehensive plan for quality improvement and sustainability.

    Meet the Faculty

    Our wellness and health promotion faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use.

    While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal experience. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

    Meet the Faculty
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    Additional information

    Example Plans of Study

    Fall (August) Start

    Spring (January) Start

    Outcomes

    With a Master of Science in Wellness and Health Promotion Management from Nebraska Methodist College, you'll create, manage and assess wellness initiatives in corporate, community and clinical settings. Our program integrates the art of wellness with the science of business change management, allowing you to become a true leader while promoting a culture of health.

    Graduates of the Wellness and Health Promotion Management program will:

    1. Produce results-oriented health promotion programs, services and outcome measures to meet the needs of a target population through effective utilization of the following steps assess, design, plan, implement, manage, and evaluate.
    2. Develop leadership skills to effectively implement culture change through concepts such as relationship building, critical analysis of research, identification of best practices, benchmarking, education, collaboration, accountability, coaching, and ethical decision making. 
    3. Manage business acumen to support health promotion programs and services through skills such as preparation of budgets; analysis of cost/benefit, budgets, trends, benchmarks, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; and recruitment, management, training, and development of staff.
    4. Utilize all forms of marketing and communication techniques for maximal organizational effectiveness. 

    Testimonial

    "Having all online classes made the school experience much easier than having to be in class physically. You can miss some of the school experience but as a mature student, I did not miss it. With children out of the house, spending time on the computer was not a major issue with the home/school needs. The programming for Wellness and Health promotion provides a wide range of classes for a good base of experience to assist the student move into the workplace easily."

    - Vicky L, 2021 NMC Graduate

    Professional Organizations

    Wellness-Related Professional Organizations

    Technology Requirements

    To be successful with your online courses, you should have a basic understanding of computers and the internet. Read more about the minimum knowledge and hardware requisites on our Online Technology Requirements page.

    Program Handbook

    Wellness & Health Promotion Management Written Statement

    Our goal is for NMC graduate students to articulate and demonstrate growth through written communication, collaboration, and synthesis of knowledge.

    Your written statement should be substantial and professionally written including the appropriate formatting and grammar. When drafting your written statement, please cite any sources using APA formatting guidelines. Each answer should be two to three paragraphs in length. 

    Also, know that instances of plagiarism within an applicant's written statement will disqualify them for acceptance to Nebraska Methodist College due to the College's commitment to academic integrity and stringent plagiarism policies. 

    Written Statements should be submitted to: admissions@methodistcollege.edu for review. Should a statement not be to our standards, you will be asked to review your work.

    Please address the following questions: 

    1. Describe your personal and/or work experience in the health & wellness field. What motivates you to pursue this profession?
    2. Please describe your future goals as they pertain to your acceptance into the Master of Science in Wellness & Health Promotion Management program with your specific concentration in mind (Worksite/Community Wellness, Medical Fitness). What do you hope to achieve with your new degree?
    3. How will you prepare yourself to be successful in an online graduate program?