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Health Degree

Health and wellness issues pose great challenges to each individual, our nation, and the world. Developing a sense of personal responsibility for one’s well-being, an understanding of the basic principles of health and wellness, an awareness of the multidimensionality of health and wellness, and the importance of the interrelationship of those dimensions is critical to addressing health and wellness concerns.

Growing emphasis on prevention is creating new opportunities in health and wellness-related industries. Demand for health and wellness professionals is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations due to the rising cost of health care, changes in healthcare coverage, and the demands of society to empower people with the skills that allow them to be well by developing healthy lifestyles.


Major Tracks


Health & Wellness Track

The Health & Wellness program is designed to provide you with a solid foundation for a career as a wellness/health professional. You’ll be prepared to assess individual and community health needs; plan and implement health and wellness education and promotion programs; coordinate and manage the delivery of health and wellness services; effectively communicate related information; and conduct program evaluation.

Clinical Wellness Track

Fitness Track

Government/Community Wellness Track

Worksite/Corporate Wellness Track

2023-2024 Program Catalog


Related Minors


Health & Wellness

Designed to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of health and wellness practice while providing flexibility to focus on specific areas of interest

Individually Designed Health & Wellness

Allows you to create a minor that includes courses unique to the set Health & Wellness minor due to the diversity of careers that might be pursued with a health and wellness background

Coaching

Designed for majors who plan to include coaching in their career paths

Sports Performance

Designed for students interested in working with athletes to improve skill and sports performance

Sports Psychology

Designed to study the impact of physical activity and sport on psychological and mental factors in regard to participation and performance


Program Highlights


Internships & Employment

Our graduates intern and work for several companies such as the YMCA, Nestle Purina, County Health Departments, the American Cancer Society, and various fitness and training facilities.

Student Organizations

You’ll become a member of Wonders of Wellness which sponsors numerous health and wellness-related educational and service projects. You may also be interested in joining the Fitness Club, the Green Team, or our new American Cancer Society affiliated group, Colleges Against Cancer.

Asset Training

You are given the opportunity to receive training in the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. For 50 years, the Search Institute has been identifying ways to support the development of healthy children through research, collaboration, and the creation of instructional materials.


Certifications


Upon completion of the program, you may be eligible to become certified as a practitioner in various areas.

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

This certification is a voluntary program that seeks to identify professionally competent and dedicated health and wellness professionals in the field.

Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist

The Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist is awarded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association to professionals who demonstrate competency in their ability to “design and implement strength and conditioning programs for athletes in a team setting”. (NSCA – www.nsca-cc.org/)


Key Faculty

 

Photo of Katy Gayford, MS, ATC, LATKaty Gayford, MS, ATC, LAT

Instructor
Bearcat Hall 101
(618) 537-6472
krgayford@mckendree.edu

 

 

Photo of William MooreWilliam Moore

Lecturer
300 Stanton Street House
(618) 537-6983
wgmoore@mckendree.edu

  


 


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