Health and Wellness Management (HWM)

The Health and Wellness Management degree is a 63 credit collaborative (UW-River Falls, UW-Superior, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-La Crosse) online degree completion program. Students must have completed 60 credits or earned an Associate Degree in order to enroll in the program. Students will need to have satisfied UW System minimum general education breadth requirements as stipulated in the UW System Associate Degree Transfer Policy. Prerequisites for admission will be College Algebra, Statistics, General Chemistry, Introduction to Biology, and Introductory Communications, or their equivalents, passed with grades of C or better. Each student must identify a home campus (River Falls, Superior, Stevens Point, La Crosse) and will apply to that campus; upon acceptance the student will be subject to all graduation requirements of that campus. Students enrolled in the Health and Wellness Management program will be exempt from the College of Science and Health curriculum core.

HWM    300        Cr. 3
Introduction to Human Health
This course is designed to provide students with a general background knowledge on many of the issues impacting our health today. Topics of study will include issues in mental, physical and social health such as stress, nutrition and fitness, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, relationships and sexuality and diseases and disorders. An introduction to behavior change theories and the factors contributing to overall wellness will also be included. Prerequisite: BIO 103 or 105; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    310        Cr. 3
Changes Across the Lifespan
This course explores research and theory regarding the nature and processes of human development from early adulthood through old age and death. Key topics include biological theories of aging; the changing body; disorders of the brain; personality development; changing memory and thinking skills; relationship issues, careers and retirement, and death/dying. Prerequisites: HWM 300 or concurrent enrollment in HWM 300; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    320        Cr. 3
Health and Medical Terminology
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basic terminology used in health and medical settings. Although most wellness settings are not inclusive to a medical center or clinical setting, often the clients are participating in a program because of a visit to a medical setting. Since health care uses a unique blend of prefixes, suffices and terms related to both preventative and clinical care, it is important that the wellness professional has the knowledge and abilities to decipher this information. Emphasis will be placed on the systems that a wellness professional will most likely be exposed to including: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Muscular Skeletal, Nervous systems. Prerequisites: ENG 110 or 112; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    330        Cr. 3
Survey of Information Technology in Healthcare
This course surveys essential healthcare information technologies (HIT) that are used for healthcare information systems (HISs). Popular HISs include electronic medical record systems (EMRS) that keep record of the patients' history, the computerized provider order entry systems that record the history of the procurement of medicine and other medical necessaries, telemedicine, which keeps information of the medical doctors in the computers, telehealth e-prescribing, which prescribes the medicine electronically, medication administration, which keeps the information of medical doctors and other hospital staff members, and nursing and ancillary service systems. Prerequisite: acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    340        Cr. 3
The Wellness Professional
This course explores the definition of wellness, health promotion and the seven dimension model of wellness. Students will learn the professional role and personal commitment required to implement life-style wellness programs. The course includes an overview of the history and philosophy contributing to the success of wellness and health promotion professionals. Students learn through assigned experiential learning the basics wellness principles. Activities explore personal wellness and whole systems healing in the seven-dimensions of Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual, Environmental and Social. Prerequisites: HWM 300 and 310 or concurrent enrollment; PSY 100; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    350        Cr. 3
Applied Research Methods/Evidence-Based Decision Making
This course is designed to familiarize students with research nomenclature, procedures for the design and evaluation of research and interpretation of statistical analysis in the health field.  Also, to provide the tools for critically evaluating the validity of health research. Prerequisites: ENG 110 or 112; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    360        Cr. 3
Stress and Dependencies and Addictions
Examine common behavioral strategies with regard to stress and its management, and the use of alternative remedies for physical and emotional dependencies and addictions. Prerequisites: ENG 110 or 112; BIO 103 or 105; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    370        Cr. 3
Health Behavior/Understanding and Effecting Change
Understanding how change happens. Basic knowledge and understanding of foundational change theories, based upon the 'Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model'. Included is a reflection on one's personal wellness and strategies for implementing health behavior change. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and HWM 300; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    380        Cr. 3
Environmental Health
This course will examine the things we do as individuals and societies that result in environmental health issues.  Participants will explore environmental factors and ecosystem functions that affect human health along with the interactions among environmental systems and social, economic, political processes. Prerequisites: HWM 300; BIO 103 or 105; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    390        Cr. 3
Wellness Marketing and Health Communications
Students will develop basic marketing and promotional skills, grounded in the disciplines of social marketing, health communication and business marketing that address consumer health "needs" and customer "wants".  Students will be able to assess market opportunities in wellness services, programs and facilities, and create marketing strategies and tactics.  Emphases will be placed on best practices for behavior change, increased cost savings for employers, improved customer/employee participation and/or revenues for wellness programs, services and facilities. Prerequisites: PSY 100; CST 110; HWM 300 and 310; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    400        Cr. 3
Resource Management
The objective of this course is to examine the functions of human resource management. The course will focus on recruitment, selection, job analysis, compensation, labor relations, performance appraisals and organization change. Prerequisite: acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    410        Cr. 3
Applied Anatomy and Applied Fitness Principles
A hybrid of disciplines which examines the anatomical structures that facilitate movement and a very basic review of the energy systems and principles which support these structures, along with training approaches which stimulate them to become more efficient. Prerequisites: HWM 300; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    420        Cr. 3
Health Literacy
This course will explore the current understandings and work in health literacy research, advocacy, and outreach efforts across the various health education and related fields. It will include readings, discussions, and competencies in evaluation of health information for quality and credibility; locating health and determining quality resources; identifying and assessing population health literacy; and understanding the networks of agencies working in health settings to address literacy in the health field. Prerequisites: HWM 300 and 320; BIO 103 or 105; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    430        Cr. 3
Population Health
This course introduces the evolution of health problems and services and will examine the methods designed to capture a community health profile. The participant will apply concepts involved in measuring and understanding the health of individuals and populations in order to enhance quality of life. The key social determinants of health and their interactions will be considered. Prerequisites: HWM 300, 310 and 340; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    440        Cr. 3
Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching
Definition of coaching and diverse methodologies will be taught, practiced, compared and contrasted. The course will assist in developing a strong, useful theoretical viewpoint for health coaching as well as to understand those of therapists and how differential treatment therapeutic goals are set. Students will specifically gain an understanding of "What treatment, by whom, is most effective for individuals displaying specific problems and under what set of circumstances?”  As a result you will learn a variety of treatment modalities, and learn to respect vastly differing world views. Prerequisites: HWM 300 and 310; PSY 100; CST 110; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    450        Cr. 3
Medical Ethics/Medical Policy
This course will explore the moral values and judgments as they apply to medicine. Discussion will involve ethical principles which govern the practice of medicine as well as the ethical theories which form the basis of ethical argument. Prerequisites: HWM 310 and 340; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    460        Cr. 3
Leadership and Change Management in Health
This course will examine the various leadership and management styles, including business models of leadership. Organizational behavior, decision making, and budgets will also be covered. An academic service learning component and community work will be expected as a component. Prerequisites: HWM 400; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    470        Cr. 3
Assessment and Evaluation
This course surveys general approaches to assessment, programming and evaluation in health and wellness settings. Participants will explore individual, group, and organizational approaches to assessment, programming, and evaluating planned and organized efforts to promote both health and wellness. Prerequisites: HWM 350 and 430; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    480        Cr. 3
Health Benefit Plans and Providers
The design and administration of a health care plan plays a key role in attracting and retaining employees and employers cost savings. This course is designed to provide you with a solid introduction to the basic issues of health care benefits and how to integrate successful return on investment (ROI) strategies for adopting preventive health benefits that enhance employee's wellbeing. Prerequisites: HWM 320 and 430; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    490        Cr. 3
Employee Health and Well Being
What successful companies are doing is reviewed in Case studies to provide the groundwork for the importance of workplace involvement in health. The relationship of employee health to health care costs and productivity will be calculated as return on investment (ROI) and investment in human capital.  Strategic and product management planning are developed in relationship to, disease management vs. population wellness theory. Assessment of employer needs, organizational culture, environmental policy and procedures supportive to desired outcomes are practiced. Professionals learn about aligning client needs and wants with best practice program design, implementation and evaluation for successful results. Age, gender, race and issues that affect participation in wellness programs are reviewed. Prerequisites: HWM 320, 350, 400 and 430; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

HWM    495        Cr. 3
Capstone in Human Health and Wellness
This course emphasizes the application of knowledge and skills learned through an individualized project (s) approved and supervised by the appropriate academic advisor. Prerequisites: HWM 450, 460, 470, 480 and 490 or concurrent enrollment; acceptance into the HWM Program. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.