Learn wellness program management plus strategic leadership skills to make a difference in a rewarding career.
In the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management you’ll learn about contemporary health and wellness perspectives, in addition to the strategic planning and communication skills you’ll need to manage well-being programs that foster healthier lifestyles and promote the value of staying well.
Strategic planning
Behavior change facilitation
Communication and marketing strategies
U.S. healthcare systems, including public health, insurance, and healthcare providers
Health policy and wellness law
Program planning and evaluation
Emerging trends in wellness
Universities of Wisconsin partners in the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management include: UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Superior.
Program Description
The curriculum in the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management develops the strategic leadership skills and advanced knowledge in wellness program management to enact effective change in your organization, whether you are leading health promotion initiatives in a workplace, community health agency, or other organization.
You’ll acquire competencies in health and wellness management through 11 required courses, plus a capstone project typically completed during the final semester. There are no electives.
11 health and wellness management courses (3 credits each)
Capstone prep course (1 credit)
Capstone project course (3 credits)
In the capstone course, students gain valuable, practical experience through a fieldwork project. Students may be able to complete the project at their current place of employment, or arrange for online project work with an external organization.
Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health education specialists and community health workers are projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, due to “an emphasis on promoting healthy behaviors, particularly based on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Thirty five percent of employers surveyed for Wellable’s 2022 Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report expect to invest more in health and well-being programs. As more companies recognize their role in supporting employees across all dimensions of health, including physical, mental, and emotional health, demand for professionals who have the required skills to manage these programs will grow. Likewise, reasons for offering workplace well-being programs have gone beyond healthcare cost savings and incentive campaigns to investment in mental health, stress management, and virtual wellness services.
As a graduate of the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management you’ll be qualified for a variety of leadership positions in health promotion, such as senior manager of benefits and well-being, wellness account manager, and employee wellness specialist. As a wellness manager, you can have a significant impact on health outcomes by leading wellness activities that improve personal well-being, work-life balance, and organizational health across all dimensions of wellness.
Admissions
To be eligible for the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management students must meet the following requirements:
Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA)
Prerequisite coursework:
Anatomy and physiology or human biology
Intro to psychology
Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission and should contact an enrollment adviser for more information.
Aptitude tests, such as the GRE, are not required for admission.
You will also need to submit the following application materials:
Official college transcripts
Your resume
Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic)
A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree
Campuses may waive some of these requirements as part of the comprehensive application process.
Wisconsin Online Multi-Campus Collaborative programs are offered by one or more Universities of Wisconsin. These degrees and certificates combine the diverse, interdisciplinary expertise, resources, and talents of UW campuses across the state.
Multi-campus Collaborative programs may be semester- or competency-based, individual courses, or bootcamps, allowing you to choose the format that meets your needs.
To apply, choose a home campus from any of the partner campuses in your program. Campus resources such as financial aid, career services, library resources, and more will be through your home campus, as well as your final transcript.
