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
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
Instructor
Bearcat Hall 101
(618) 537-6472
krgayford@mckendree.edu
Lecturer
300 Stanton Street House
(618) 537-6983
wgmoore@mckendree.edu
Make It McKendree