Health and Wellness
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Nursing
Make a difference in people's lives with a degree in health and wellness (H&W). This major prepares you to support health and wellness across the lifespan, in all states of health, as a health promotion professional. You will learn how to apply evidence-based practices, understand health behavior and integrate social determinants of health to support changes that reduce health inequities. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a variety of career paths in health promotion and be eligible to sit for national certifications. You will educate and inspire others to make a positive impact on their lives.
Students with an interest in H&W who are admitted to Ohio State Columbus campus as first-year students will be enrolled in pre-H&W. Students enrolled in pre-H&W are welcome to apply to the major between January and July of each year.
To be considered for admission to the major, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
https://nursing.osu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-science-health-and-wellness/hw-admissions.
The undergraduate degree in health and wellness requires a minimum of 120 semester hours and can be completed in four academic years. The first year of study includes prerequisite course work for applying to the major.
Prerequisites:
- human anatomy
- human physiology
- biology
- English
- sociology
Prerequisite courses taken at other institutions must be direct equivalents to the courses at Ohio State. Find a list of courses that meet these requirements online.
Required major course work allows students to obtain knowledge needed to design effective health promotion activities and programs for clients, patients and participants of all ages and diverse cultures. Curriculum includes classroom and practicum experiences focused on health promotion in a variety of professional settings.
Practicum experiences, required as part of the curriculum, focus on supporting individuals' health and wellness across their lifespan in all states of health. Students will apply evidence-based practices to educate and empower others to ultimately make a positive impact on their lives.
Graduates of the H&W program are considered health promotion professionals. Employment opportunities will vary and may include settings such as a worksite, hospital/clinical, insurance company or community-based setting. Examples include, but are not limited to, employment as a health and wellness coach, worksite wellness coordinator, population health engagement specialist or health data coordinator.
Beginning salaries for new graduates in the field of health promotion range from $35,000 to $45,000 per year. Salary ranges will vary depending upon the region of the country.
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Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for certifications in the field of health promotion. Certifications include National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coaching, Nutrition and Wellness Certification and Certified Personal Trainer. Health and wellness is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training and Education Program by the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching.
Interested in a career in health care?
Check out the Health Care Pathway to discover the many majors Ohio State offers that can lead to a health care career.