Master of Science in Integrative Health and Wellness
This program prepares students to become health and wellness professionals, with an emphasis in the area of health and wellness coaching. Students will gain the health promotion and behavior change knowledge and skills necessary to help clients explore their health, as well as the barriers and facilitators of their health behaviors. Students will learn to identify risk factors for chronic diseases and apply integrative, evidence-based approaches in health promotion, disease prevention, and lifestyle medicine. The program engages students in learning behavior change strategies to empower individuals from all walks of life to promote positive, multidimensional behavior change using psychosocial approaches such as mindfulness and self-compassion.
A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
This unique, online graduate degree-seeking program will tap into the high demand field of preventative and integrative health. Graduates for this degree program will have the skill set to contribute responsibly and creatively to a complete 21st Century global society.
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
100% online
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
This program is 100% online.
Downloads
General
This course will examine lifestyle medicine interventions used to prevent chronic diseases. Students will examine population healthcare systems and the integration of the wellness professional. Students will apply lifestyle medicine approaches to develop a self-care plan.
This course focuses on theoretical constructs and behavior change strategies that facilitate health behavior change. There will be an emphasis on theories and approaches designed to support readiness-to-change, motivation, self-determination, and goal-setting.
This course will examine the relationship between psychological and physiological processes in the body. Students will learn specific techniques, such as mindfulness and self-compassion, to support positive mind-body connections for themselves and clients.
This course will examine relevant guidelines and recommendations for health promotion and disease prevention. It will provide a broad framework for understanding physical aspects of health promotion, including but not limited to exercise, hydration, sleep, and nutrition, to identify and minimize risk factors for chronic diseases.
This course examines effective and equitable uses of health technologies for sustainable behavior change. Students will review current literature on health technologies to understand the mechanisms that encourage health behavior change and identify best practices for practical application.
This course provides an overview of the legal landscape, leadership and entrepreneurship skills, and ethical responsibilities around the development of an integrative health and wellness coaching business. Students will learn to develop a coaching business that leverages their skills and interests while also reducing legal risk.
This course provides students with leadership development, social emotional learning skills, problem solving skills, effective decision making, and team building skills to aid in personal growth and professional development.
In this course, students will implement advanced theory, skills, and techniques related to guiding groups and individuals through meaningful lifestyle changes. Students will learn and apply approved competencies in health and wellness coaching structure and process. Students will complete a practical skills assessment supervised by NBC-HWC faculty as part of this class.
This course will help students apply the 24 hours of coursework in integrative health and wellness coaching. Students will develop a health and wellness coaching mission statement, create a coaching manual, provide real-world coaching sessions, receive supervision and feedback, and develop long-term behavior change techniques based on theory and peer-reviewed research. This course presents opportunities for students to pursue practical work in their chosen field of study that relates to their professional plans. It is expected that the student has completed coursework and the necessary experience to carry out the objectives of the course as well as possess the habits and motivation to be of benefit to the client or sponsoring agency. Furthermore, the student must understand that he/she represents the University of West Georgia during the entire course and therefore should act professionally and ethically at all times.
Students will become successful consumers of research through the introduction of principles of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs. Within these categories of research, students will learn the foundations of action research and single subject research.
Ashlee Davis, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Bridgette Stewart, M. Ed.
Chief Wellness Officer
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
All applicants to the MS in Integrative Health and Wellness must submit the following:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Resume
- Personal Statement: 2-3 page Statement of Purpose
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here.
Contact
Graduate School
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education
Dr. Chrissy Knoll
cknoll@westga.edu
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Upon completion of this program students will be able to:
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Apply the health and wellness coaching structure and process used to empower a client’s behavior change and assist them in understanding their own health and wellness.
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Demonstrate an understanding of behavior change theories and the ability to apply behavior change strategies to promote client motivation and goal attainment.
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Demonstrate ability to identify risk factors for chronic disease and apply current recommendations for modifying and improving well-being.
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Evaluate lifestyle medicine strategies through the lens of epigenetics, microbiome, and mind-body wellness
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Build self care plans to model their own health behavior skills
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Evaluate legal and ethical considerations across a variety of health and wellness professions