Missouri State University – College of Health and Human Services
Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Health Promotion and Wellness Management – Master of Science
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Academic Program
The Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management is a 36-hour interdisciplinary program. It is designed to provide preparation for students from diverse backgrounds in health, human services, and business.  The curriculum integrates managerial skills with scientific and clinical knowledge of preventive medicine, behavioral psychology, health care economics, public health, contemporary health issues, and organizational theory. The result is a competency-based, multi-disciplinary academic
preparation for professionals dedicated to assuming leadership and managerial positions within the health and wellness industry.

Curricular activities are complemented by research opportunities in the well-equipped exercise science laboratory. Diverse practical experience opportunities are provided in conjunction with the campus wellness initiative directed by the Health Education Coordinator in Taylor Health Center and with the expanding clinical and community facilities in the Springfield metropolitan area

Career Preparation
Students are prepared for careers as managers and program development specialists/educators of health and wellness programs in hospital or corporate-based wellness settings, health maintenance organizations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, private fitness clubs, sports medicine facilities, and volunteer agencies.

Entrance Requirements
1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate work.
3. Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the General Examination.
4. Prerequisite courses: 12 hours. Students entering the program should have an undergraduate course in statistics, exercise physiology, introductory psychology, and microeconomics. A student who does not meet these criteria, but who demonstrates outstanding potential, may be considered on the basis of individual merit and accepted on a probationary status.

Degree Requirements (minimum of 36 hours)

1. Required Core
MGT 600 Administrative, Organizational, & Operations Concepts for Managers 3 hrs
ECO 604/HCM 604 Health Care Economics OR
PLS 754 Seminar in Health Policy 3 hrs
HLH 700 Research Methods in Health,
Physical Education & Recreation 3 hrs
HLH 750 Programming Approaches in Wellness/Health Promotion 3 hrs
HLH 752 Health Risk Identification & Mgmt. 3 hrs
PBH 756 Introduction to Public Health 3 hrs
HLH 760 Health Promotion Planning 3 hrs
COM 736 Concepts & Analysis of Communication in Organizations OR
MGT 764 Organizational Behavior OR
PSY 718 Organizational Psychology 3 hrs
TOTAL 24 hrs

2. Internship
HLH 791 Wellness Internship 1-6 hrs

Supervised work in an approved health promotion/health care setting. As a culminating experience, the internship is crucial to the Program. Students must complete a minimum of 400-600 clinical hours. The intern experience (HLH 791) is an integral part of this major and should be planned (in consultation with the advisor) in advance of the semester in which the student desires to register for the experience.Application deadlines for HLH 791 are as follows:    Fall - MARCH 1;  Spring - SEPTEMBER 1; Summer - JANUARY 1. Applications are available from, and are to be returned to, the graduate coordinator.

3. Research
PED 799 Thesis (6 hrs) OR
PED 795 Research Project 3 hrs
PLUS Completion of 700-level 3 hr course selected with Advisor 3 hrs

4. Comprehensive Examination.
A written comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.

Contact Information: 
Dr. Sarah McCallister
E-mail: SarahMcCallister@missouristate.edu
Office Location: McDonald Arena Room 103
Office Phone 836-5370
Fax: (417) 836-5371