Program Overview

Health Promotion is an exciting, rewarding, and growing field that is geared toward serving others.  Those employed in the field help to protect the public’s health today and in the future by “… enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health (World Health Organization, 1986)."

Students majoring in health promotion have the flexibility of choosing between one of four areas of study:  Cognate, Communication Option, Fitness Option or Health Services Leadership 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.

Option 4: Health Promotion with Health Services Leadership Option

The Health Services Leadership Option is a directed course of study to broaden students’ understanding of the complex issues facing future health care and public health professionals.  It is intended to introduce students to best practices of leadership, advocacy, and delivery of services within a health care context so that they can work in supervisory and governing roles in health care and public health organizations.  This option is recommended for those who wish to go directly into the workforce upon graduation.

What are the career opportunities for Health Promotion graduates?

• 7 of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States are health-related.
• 250,000 workers are needed in public health by 2020 – which is three times the number of students who are projected to graduate from public health programs – to meet public health work needs.
• Over the next eight years, it is estimated there will be:
  • 26% increase in health education positions;
  • 16% increase in medical and health management positions, and;
  • 21% increase in health services.

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. 

What are the study abroad opportunities?

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.

Are there internship opportunities?

The program provides many opportunities for hands-on skill building activities in the community. As a part of course requirements, students complete both a pre-internship (Sophomore year, 30 hours) and an internship (Senior year, 290 hours) in health-related agencies. A few sites that have been 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. 

Are there opportunities for certification in health education?

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. 

What are the advanced-degree study opportunities? 

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. 
 

Go to Health Promotion Program of Study.