Master of Science in Health and Wellness

Overview

The mission of the MS in Health and Wellness degree program is to help others achieve health and wellness in a non-clinical setting through education and coaching strategies and to provide a healthier lifestyle for individuals and their families. It specifically meets the goal of the National Prevention Strategy (NPS) to “maintain a skilled, cross-trained, and diverse prevention workforce” and explicitly integrates many of the goals of the NPS across the program.

The MS in Health and Wellness program offers students a broad range of elective choices, designed to allow each student to select modalities that meet their personal and career goals. There is an emphasis on integrating health and wellness research and coaching skills to prepare graduates for a role in directing wellness programs, coaching in an individual or group setting, or for personal goals. The program culminates in a capstone project, which, if approved, may be conducted at your institution or company. For example, this could include creating a wellness program at your institution or company.

Educated professionals with knowledge and training in health and wellness provide wellness and physical health recommendations from which community programming and client education can be based. A focus on health and wellness education impacts communities by helping people learn how to live healthier lives by focusing on prevention and holistic lifestyle modifications that reduce the risk of chronic disease while promoting wellness. Learn more about health and wellness and health promotion in this accredited degree program.

Please note this degree does not satisfy the requirements to become a CHES Health Educator.

Highlights

Meets the education requirements for graduates to sit the Board Certification in Holistic Nutrition exam offered by the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board [1]

[1] In addition to completing this program, documentation of 500 hours (includes a minimum of 250 direct contact hours and up to 250 indirect contact hours) of professional experience in holistic nutrition is also required. NANP also offers an exception for new graduates that defers these requirements for two years if the exam is taken within 12 months of graduation. Please visit https://achs.edu/alumni/professional-exams-registration for more information or contact https://www.nanp.org/board-exam-eligibility.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an in-depth, advanced knowledge of health and wellness strategies to achieve each of the seven priorities identified by the National Prevention Strategy (NPS): Tobacco-free living, preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use, healthy eating, active living, injury and violence-free living, reproductive and sexual health, and mental and emotional well-being
  • Act as Partners in Prevention as communicators and educators as identified in the National Prevention Strategy (NPS)
  • Implement strategies to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life
  • Implement strategies to provide people with information to make healthy choices and to reinforce and support health and wellness by making healthy choices easy and affordable
  • Create and support comprehensive wellness programs for corporations, educational facilities, districts, and more
  • Engage partners across disciplines, sectors, and institutions to change the way communities conceptualize and solve problems, enhance implementation of innovative strategies, and improve individual and community well-being
  • Support healthy and safe community environments by detecting and responding to both acute (emergency) and chronic (ongoing) threats to health
  • Integrate health criteria into decision making, where appropriate, across multiple sectors
  • Enhance cross-sector collaboration in community planning and design, which promotes health and safety
  • Identify and implement proven strategies and conduct research where evidence is lacking
  • Evaluate, generate, and implement best practices for evidence-based holistic nutrition protocols with clients, consumers, and the public
  • Locate, analyze, evaluate, and make effective use of health and wellness research from scientific literature
  • Discuss and describe the body’s structure and function in a healthy state
  • Understand and identify the mechanical and biochemical changes caused by a variety of diseases or imbalances to be able to address system imbalances and provide education that individuals can use to restore wellness
  • Determine when to refer individuals to their licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment
  • Develop a solid knowledge base of holistic health and wellness protocols and be able to apply that knowledge by informing and assisting practitioners and consumers
  • Educate others about appropriate holistic health protocols that can help to rebalance the body and restore wellness, both for general good health and when particular ailments demonstrate an imbalance in the body and lifestyle
  • Outline the steps to set up a business, including insurance, management, legal issues, ethics, keeping records, listening and observation skills, informed consent, marketing, business planning, and wellness counseling
  • Locate information from state regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with local and state requirements

Electives or Specialization Track: If a specialization track is not selected, students will complete 12 credits of elective study to further specialize their training and may choose from all graduate courses; prerequisites must be met where applicable.

Embrace your tomorrow.
Request information today.

We are committed to protecting your privacy.  For more information view our Privacy Policy.


Career Goals:

  • Health and Wellness Consultant, Educator, Writer, or Speaker
  • Health and Wellness Consultant within Community Health Organizations, Government, Residential Care Facilities, Schools, Prisons, Community Wellness programs, Retirement Villages, Old Age Homes, Frail Care Centers, Nursing Homes and Home Healthcare Agencies
  • Health and Wellness Practitioner
  • Health and Wellness Educator², Writer, or Speaker - [2] Please note that this program does not prepare students to be eligible to sit for the NCHEC CHES exam and become a Certified Health Education Specialist.
  • Health and Wellness Coach
  • Health Coach
  • Wellness Coach
  • Lifestyle coach or consultant
  • Health Care Industry Assistant - Day Spa, Holistic Retreat, Spa facility
  • Administrative or support role in any company in the health care industry such as medical center, fitness or wellness center, private practice yoga studio, natural food store, restaurant or educational facility
  • Customer service role within the health care industry
  • Sales associate role within the health care industry
  • Medical Assistant, administrator, reception, or other support role in a licensed naturopathic clinic or other healthcare setting
  • Medical professionals wishing to increase their knowledge of health and wellness to augment a new or existing practice, including Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Naturopaths, Nurses, Veterinarians, Respiratory Therapists, Mental Health Counselors or Social Workers
  • Consumers looking to integrate holistic health and wellness principles into their life for personal health and well-being

Current Instructors:

View all ACHS instructors, including bios, photos, and courses taught.

Admissions Requirements:

Candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree or higher from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Candidates must submit official transcripts directly from the issuing institution along with one professional letter of recommendation. All applicants must be recommended for admission by the ACHS Admissions Committee.

Tuition and Fees:

To estimate the program tuition and fees, click on the required course name to view each Total Course Price. Information is also provided in the Program Fact Sheet.

Industry Leaders

ACHS Partnerships & Affiliations

logo deac
memberqi
chea
logo mulondon certifications
logo b corp
logo OBM 100 best green logo