Wellness Promotion – Master of Arts

Faculty

J. Dearden, G. Gonzalez, M. Magner, J. Newsome, M. Probst, D. Seelig

The Master of Arts in Wellness Promotion is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop and demonstrate the expertise and research skills that are necessary to enable them to make independent professional contributions in their chosen specializations. The Master of Arts in Wellness Promotion is designed and administered as an online program.

Admission Requirements

  1. General admission to graduate study, including a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
  2. Completion of an appropriate undergraduate major is required for unconditional admission to the program and selected concentration (exercise science, exercise physiology, health promotion, health or physical education). Candidates with an undergraduate degree in another area(s) may submit a transcript to the department for consideration. The appropriate faculty will make an admission status recommendation, and when appropriate, include a list of undergraduate prerequisites that must be successfully completed prior to unconditional admission.
  3. A minimum GRE score of 139 for quantitative and 145 for verbal or a scaled score of 380 or higher on the Miller Analogies Test.

Program Competencies

The following competencies will be obtained in the HPS core courses listed below: HPS 600-Research Methods in Health, Physical Education and Sport Management, HPS 601-Interpretation of Data, HPS 610-Readings and Graduate Seminar.

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the methodology and significance of research techniques as they relate to the various educational disciplines.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to utilize various research methods and apply the findings to the various educational disciplines.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct applied research in the disciplines of health, physical education and recreation.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the dimensions of wellness and its impact on lifestyle and quality of life.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of current practices associated with the disciplines of health and physical education.
  7. Develop a personal philosophy regarding the value of health, physical education, recreation, sport and sportsmanship.

Assessment

Candidates must pass a comprehensive, written qualifying exam, as well as an oral examination over the content of the program curriculum, each with 70 percent or better. This comprehensive examination should be in the last semester of completing the courses and taken at a distinct, planned time at an approved online site, such as Blackboard. The oral examination will be scheduled with a committee of professors and completed via webcam or conference call at a time determined by the committee. Students must formally apply in writing for the exam at the beginning of the semester in which he/she plans to take the exams.

  1. Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to take the exam.
  2. The qualifying exam may be taken at one of the scheduled exam times during either the fall or spring semesters. A candidate may have three attempts to pass the exam.
  3. Written examinations will be scheduled in the twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters.
  4. When needed, the second or third attempts are to be formally scheduled at the discretion of the graduate committee, but in no case will it be offered less than 14 days after the prior attempt by the candidate during any one of the three scheduled exam times (fall, spring and summer).
  5. A candidate who does not pass the exam within three attempts, will be dismissed from the program.
  6. Failure to take a scheduled exam will result as an attempt, unless the candidate has formally applied to withdraw from the exam before the start of the exam.

Requirements for the Degree

  1. Satisfy general degree requirements.
  2. Complete all professional core courses.
  3. Fulfill stated requirements for the selected concentration and research/internship.
  4. Pass a written qualifying examination over the professional content (must have a 3.0 or higher GPA to sit for the exam).
  5. Pass an oral examination.
  6. Have an exit GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  7. Must be unconditionally admitted.

Program Requirements

Professional Core

HPS 600Research Methods in Health, Physical Education and Sport Management

3

HPS 601Interpretation of Data

3

HPS 610Readings and Graduate Seminar

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Wellness Promotion

HWHP 602Wellness Promotion

3

HWHP 609Applied Exercise Physiology

3

HWHP 612Managing Worksite Wellness

3

HLTH 614Principles of Epidemiology

3

HWHP 651Advanced Exercise Prescription

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Research

Choose one of the following three options:

Option 1:

HWHP 670Directed Research

3

and

Elective

3

Option 2:

Six hours of electives from prefixes in the HWHP department or outside of the department as approved by the advisor/chair.

Option 3:

HWHP 699Thesis

6

Total Credit Hours:6

Total Credit Hours: 30