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Degree Overview
Course Descriptions
Admissions Information
Tuition & Financial Aid
Days until classes:
Next classes start
Jun 4th
Program Length: 18 months
Available at the following locations:
Available Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Degree Overview
The merits of keeping people healthy are clear from a physiological and psychological standpoint. But the material value of a healthy population is equally certain-healthy people save society and industry money. The rising cost of medical care has forced the healthcare and insurance industries to evaluate wellness strategies.
Health promotion is founded on the philosophy of education, prevention, and enabling people and communities to improve their health. Wellness experts and health educators work hard to help the public understand and maintain healthy living standards. They attempt to balance the psychological, cultural, and social aspects of health behavior through exercise, weight management, nutrition, smoking cessation, and many other programs. The strategic tools of the health promotion professional are assessment, behavior change and health communication methodologies, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and program administration.
Graduates are employed in positions including: health educator, public health educator, community health specialist, health promotion specialist or other similar titles and are employed by community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, local, state and federal government agencies, hospitals, and managed care organizations. Health promotion is a field with several disciplines, and the level and type of position attained will vary according to the background and experience of the graduate.
| Program Information | Master of Science in Health Services-Health Promotion |
|---|---|
| Occupations Degree Prepares For (and SOC code of occupation) |
Medical and Health Services Managers - 11-9111.00 |
| Tuition and Fees | $22,575 |
| Cost of Books | Included |
| Room and Board | N/A |
| Job Placement Rate * | N/A% |
| On-Time Completion Rate | N/A |
| Median Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Non-Title IV Debt | N/A |
| Median Loan Debt | N/A |
Course Descriptions
CourseCourse NameCredits
Course Description
Click a course to the left to see the course description here.
Tip: Reading course descriptions is a great way to help you decide if a degree is right for you.
Management Practices for the Health Professional
Healthcare in the United States combines an explanation of population health with a comprehensive introduction to health services delivery. This course will look at the healthcare system in the US, with an emphasis on healthcare reform legislation and its implications for the future. By combining basic concepts in population health with coverage of health services, the course offers an in-depth look at the healthcare administration in the US, including the challenges facing those who manage health service personnel and organizations. This course will review concepts such as cost sharing, HMO enrollment, and rationing of services.
Credits: 5.0
Nutrition for Public Health
This course provides students with opportunity to apply methods and techniques for educating individuals about nutrition. Concepts that help improve the health of the whole population and teach high-risk subgroups within the population will be examined. An emphasis is placed on health promotion and disease prevention through improved nutrition. Students will review integrated community efforts for improved nutrition with leadership demonstrated by government offices.
Credits: 3.0
Health Program Evaluation
This course provides students with an introduction to the nature of program planning and evaluation, with an insight into some of the problems and opportunities associated with evaluating program effectiveness. Students progress through an evaluation process in order to experience both practical and theoretical aspects of assessing health program performance and outcomes. Course components include strategies for developing evaluation questions, standards, and designs; designing program evaluations; data gathering and analysis; report writing; and employing evaluation results to improve program performance.
Credits: 4.5
Research and Evaluation Methods I
The course provides students with a fundamental knowledge of the basic approach to research. Students will begin by developing a research question/ problem, reviewing the literature and developing a literature review. Although research methods may vary slightly from subject area and field of research, the basic approach is the same, whether community health research, clinical/medical research, research in the areas of health promotion or public health, the basic approach is the same.
Credits: 2.0
Research and Evaluation Methods II
This course expands the students experience in research and evaluation methods. Student will move forward from their developed research question/ problem and literature review to developing methodology for conducting, evaluating, and interpreting research results. Students will be asked to complete a research report at the end of this course. (Prerequisite: HCS 625)
Credits: 2.5
Health Communication
This course provides an introduction to current health communication theory and issues. Students will examine topics in health communication such as interpersonal communications, public relations and advocacy, community mobilization, professional medical communications, and constituency relations along with exploration of skills in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Credits: 3.0
Stress and Health
This course provides students with fundamental knowledge regarding stress and health. The physiology of stress, the relationship of stress and illness, and the impact of various life situations are addressed. Students examine their own stress experience in the study of stress management techniques, behavior change interventions, and applications related to work and family.
Credits: 3.0
Health Psychology
This course provides students with current research and information on the psychological factors that contribute to health-compromising behaviors and the promotion and maintenance of healthenhancing behaviors. Patient provider relations are discussed along with issues surrounding managing chronic and terminal illness.
Credits: 4.0
Addiction
This course provides students with a foundation of addiction and the role of professionals in healthcare and public health. This course introduces the history of drug use, focuses on major substances that are abused including nicotine, covers important legal psychoactive medications, presents how drugs work in the body and brain, how and why people become addicted, and methods of prevention and treatment.
Credits: 3.0
Health Counseling
This course provides students with a basic foundation of health counseling and its primary goal in health promotion, and introduces the use of counseling skills to address physical health. Students survey theoretical and research literature regarding relationship, assessment, intervention, maintenance, and prevention strategies.
Credits: 2.5
Health Behavior and Behavior Change I
This course provides students with theoretical foundations and knowledge of health behavior theory. Key components and current applications of selected health behavior theories for the individual, the group, and the community are examined.
Credits: 2.5
Health Behavior and Behavior Change II
With a focus on individual health behavior change, basic principles of behavior are addressed in order to learn how environmental events influence behavior. Behavior modification procedures and strategies are reviewed.
Credits: 3.0
Practicum I
This course along with HWP 615 is a project based experience, with clearly defined objectives mutually agreed upon by the student, instructor, and preceptor. It allows the student to integrate the academic concepts and principles which have been learned throughout the program with a
Credits: 1.0
Practicum II
This course is a project based experience, with clearly defined objectives mutually agreed upon by the student, instructor, and preceptor. It allows the student to integrate the academic concepts and principles which have been learned throughout the program with a
Credits: 5.0
Developing Health Promotion Programs
This course provides students with a foundation of health promotion program planning, implementation, and evaluation from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics include assessing needs, implementation strategies, and evaluation.
Credits: 4.5
Exercise and Fitness
Organizational fitness programs designed with effective exercise guidelines can increase personal health and well-being. Regular exercise improves physical performance, enhances psychological health, and reduces health risks. This course introduces students to the various components of fitness including exercise science, screening, testing and programming, injury prevention, emergency procedures, and legal issues.
Credits: 4.0
Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals I
This course provides students with fundamental statistical concepts related to healthcare research and practice. Topics include statistical methods most frequently used in healthcare literature, including data organization and management, key principles of statistical inference, and common parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques (z-tests, t-tests, and ANOVAs). Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, correct application, and interpretation of statistical tests and their results.
Credits: 2.5
Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals II
This course continues with fundamental statistical concepts related to healthcare research and practice. Topics include correlation, linear regression, chisquare and other non-parametric statistical tests. Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, correct application, and interpretation of statistical tests and their results. (Prerequisite: MAT 525)
Credits: 2.5
Total Courses: 18Total Credits: 57.5
Admissions Information
Applicants for admission to Independence University must have graduated from an accredited high school, private secondary school, or have completed the equivalent (GED). All students who graduate after January 2006 must provide a high school transcript to check eligibility for the new Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). In addition, applicants must have Internet access and successfully complete the online readiness test.
Students who are applying for Master's degrees must provide proof of their Bachelor's degree. Applicants are admitted for enrollment on the basis of previous scholastic records as evidenced by a transcript or a high-school diploma, a GED certificate, or a Bachelor's degree. Previous training in business subjects generally is not required.
Getting started is as simple as making a phone call-we're happy to answer any questions you may have and can get you on your way to enrollment as soon as you're ready. Click here for more information about the admissions process.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Some people have the idea that they cannot afford college. You may even be one of them. The truth is, once you know the facts, college may be much more affordable than you think. Financial aid is available if you qualify. In fact, many students are amazed at the financial aid they're eligible to receive. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid section for more information.
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