A major in health promotion offers students the opportunity to explore the art and science of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health. Lifestyle changes may be facilitated by enhancing awareness, changing behavior, or creating environments which support better health practices. Students majoring in health promotion have the flexibility of choosing between one of three areas of study: Cognate, Communication Option, or Fitness Option.
Option 1: Health Promotion major with Cognate
This selection provides students flexibility in planning a cognate or minor area of study. The fifteen-credit cognate will consist of 300-400 level courses outside of major or basic science credits (need faculty approval). Students desiring careers in allied health/medical fields might select the cognate area of study to complete recommended pre-requisite courses. This area might also be selected by students who wish to complete a minor.
Option 2: Health Promotion major with Communication Option
This option will introduce students to the growing discipline of health communication and prepare them for entry-level positions and graduate level education in the field. Health communication is beneficial to promoting and protecting the public’s health in that it can increase knowledge and awareness of health issues, problems and solutions or influence perceptions, attitudes and beliefs that may affect social norms. Health communication is effective at demonstrating or illustrating healthy skills for behavior change and showing the benefit of that change. Additionally, health communication can prompt individuals and communities to act as well as serve as a venue for healthy policy advocacy.
Option 3: Health Promotion major with Fitness Option
This option is designed for students who desire to work in the areas of corporate wellness, personal training, wellness centers, or nonprofit/municipal fitness programs. The area of health and fitness is a rapidly expanding area of work in both the public and private sectors. The Health Promotion degree with the fitness option will provide specialized educational and practical experiences to those interested in the fitness industry. In addition, students are provided the theoretical framework and skills needed to be eligible to sit for professional certifications from national fitness and health education organizations.
Anticipated employment opportunities
Students completing the degree are prepared for advanced degree study in health science or for employment in a variety of health service-related settings such as local, state, national, international and voluntary health agencies, in wellness programs, in wellness programs within business and industry, in medical facilities, or in private consultation. The program is designed so that students desiring careers in allied health/medical fields may complete prerequisite courses within the major.
The evolving commodity of health care in the United States has created an
explosion of new employment opportunities in the delivery of health services.
An aging society, rural and minority
health problems, environmental crises, and the prevalence of chronic and infectious
diseases are a few of the many issues compelling the advancementof health
service careers. As research methodologies and health technology become more
complex, dissemination of updated information becomes more critical and the
need for qualified health educators more demanding.
Career choices in public health are numerous and broad in scope. In the public
health sector, on any given day, there are between 2,500 and 5,000 employment
vacancies. Future career opportunities are expected to grow for baccalaureate
health promotion graduates because of the following three trends: 1) the evolution
of health care to a more “wellness focused” industry; 2) increases
in accountability that accompany the evolution of managed health care; and
3) a growing trend toward more community based health programs.
Study abroad in Australia or Ireland
Health promotion students also have the opportunity to study abroad at Deakin
University in Australia or at Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland. To learn more about Deakin University please
visit their web site: www.deakin.edu.
Off-campus sites for field work
The program also utilizes off-campus sites for field work in the Senior level
course, Health Promotion 485 - Field Study in Health Promotion. As a part
of course requirements, students complete internships in health-related agencies. A few that have bee internship partners in the past include: Conway Medical Center (Wellness and Fitness Center, Cardiac
Rehabilitation, Health Education and Public Information), Department of Social
Services, Waccamaw DHEC (health education
and nutrition education), Loris Hospital (Center for Wellness and Fitness),
Shoreline Behavioral Services, Service Over Self, American Cancer Society,
American Red Cross, Coastal Carolina University Strength Training Program,
Grand Strand Community Against Rape, and Citizens Against Spouse Abuse.
CHES Certification
Graduates in Health Promotion are qualified to apply to take the Certified
Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam which was established in 1988. To
qualify for CHES credentialing, one must hold a bachelor’s degree with
37 hours in health education and pass an examination given by the National
Council of Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). The certification was established
by health professionals to insure minimum competencies for entrance into the
field through a comprehensive knowledge test and by encouraging continuing
education through attendance at approved professional presentations. CHES
certification is encouraged by many health professionals in the state and
nation and is required in some states.
Preparation for advanced-degree studies
This degree program will also prepare graduates for advanced-degree studies.
Areas of specialization available through graduate work available to a Health
Promotion graduate include physical therapy, chiropractic, occupational therapy, biostatistics, dental public health, exercise physiology,
environmental and industrial health, epidemiology, safety, hospital and molecular
epidemiology, hospital or nursing home administration, health behavior and
health education, health gerontology, health planning and administration,
human nutrition, occupational medicine, medical care organization, population
planning and international health, occupational hygiene,
radiological health and toxicology. Outside the field of health, students
majoring in Health Promotion also could complete graduate work in a variety
of related disciplines including psychology, sociology, anthropology, or business.
