📘 Program Overview:
The Associate of Science in Wellness and Prevention degree prepares students for careers in the growing field of health promotion, wellness coaching, and disease prevention. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes lifestyle management, health education, nutrition, and preventive strategies to improve quality of life for individuals and communities. It also provides a strong foundation for transfer to a bachelor's degree program in public health, health sciences, or wellness management.
🏁 Program Learning Outcomes:
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Understand and apply principles of health and wellness promotion.
Develop wellness plans and lifestyle interventions for individuals and groups.
Evaluate behavioral and environmental risk factors for chronic disease.
Apply nutrition and exercise science for prevention strategies.
Communicate effectively about wellness topics in diverse populations.
Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior in wellness settings.
📊 Credit Requirements:
Total Credits: 60 credit hours
Core Major Courses: 30 credits
General Education: 24 credits
Electives: 6 credits
🧠 Core Major Courses (30 Credits)
1. Foundations of Wellness and Prevention (3 credits)
Course Description:
Introduces wellness concepts and disease prevention strategies. Topics include the history of wellness, health behavior change, risk factor identification, and basic public health principles.
2. Introduction to Health Promotion (3 credits)
Course Description:
Focuses on promoting health at the individual, community, and organizational level. Students learn how to create, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs.
3. Human Nutrition (3 credits)
Course Description:
Covers essential nutrients, dietary guidelines, nutritional assessment, and the role of diet in chronic disease prevention.
4. Exercise and Physical Fitness (3 credits)
Course Description:
Explores exercise physiology, fitness testing, training principles, and the connection between physical activity and disease prevention.
5. Stress Management and Mental Wellness (3 credits)
Course Description:
Teaches techniques for managing stress, enhancing resilience, and supporting emotional well-being through cognitive, behavioral, and holistic strategies.
6. Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
Course Description:
Introduces the core functions of public health including epidemiology, health policy, and community health issues.
7. Behavioral Change and Motivational Interviewing (3 credits)
Course Description:
Focuses on psychological theories of behavior change and teaches motivational interviewing techniques to support health behavior change.
8. Health Coaching and Communication (3 credits)
Course Description:
Covers coaching principles, client-centered communication, goal setting, and health education skills.
9. Complementary and Integrative Health (3 credits)
Course Description:
Examines alternative health approaches such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and their role in prevention and wellness.
10. Capstone in Wellness and Prevention (3 credits)
Course Description:
Integrative project where students design a comprehensive wellness plan, incorporating concepts from all core courses and targeting a specific population or health issue.
🧾 General Education Requirements (24 Credits)
English Composition I & II (6 credits)
College Algebra or Statistics (3 credits)
Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
Biology or Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) (4 credits)
Speech Communication (3 credits)
Computer Literacy or Health Informatics (2 credits)
🎯 Electives (Choose 2 for 6 Credits)
Global Health Issues
Addiction and Substance Use
Environmental Health
Nutrition for Special Populations
Yoga, Mindfulness & Movement for Health
Introduction to Health Informatics
📚 Sample Course Syllabus & Module Breakdown
Course Title: Foundations of Wellness and Prevention
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Delivery: Online or Hybrid
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the multi-dimensional nature of wellness and prevention. It explores how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, and environmental influences affect personal and public health. Students will examine the causes of chronic disease and explore evidence-based strategies for prevention and health promotion.
Learning Objectives:
Define wellness and describe its multiple dimensions.
Analyze behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of health.
Describe common chronic diseases and their risk factors.
Apply basic concepts of health promotion and disease prevention.
Weekly Modules Breakdown:
Week
Module Title
Key Topics
1
Introduction to Wellness
Definitions, dimensions, history of the wellness movement
2
Chronic Disease and Lifestyle
Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer
3
Determinants of Health
Social, behavioral, environmental, genetic factors
4
Health Behavior Change
Stages of change, models (Health Belief Model, Transtheoretical Model)
5
Nutrition and Wellness
Dietary guidelines, food labeling, meal planning
6
Physical Activity and Fitness
Guidelines, benefits, fitness planning
7
Mental and Emotional Wellness
Stress, coping, resilience, mental health basics
8
Substance Use and Prevention
Tobacco, alcohol, drug use, prevention strategies
9
Workplace and Community Wellness
Employee wellness programs, school/community interventions
10
Final Project & Presentation
Wellness plan development and reflection