Major Highlights: Health Promotion

Concord University provides a liberal arts education that is available to every student who attends. This type of education helps to strengthen intellect and gives students the knowledge they can use in the workplace. This week, Dr. Jill Nolan, Assistant Professor of Health Education and Master of Arts in Health Promotion Coordinator, gives insight to the Master’s Program offered in the Human Performance Department.

    The Human Performance Department allows students to receive their Bachelor’s in Physical Education and Health, Sports Management, Athletic Training, and allows for a Master’s in Arts in Health Promotion.

    Nolan explains that a student interested in the Master’s Program must have a BA or BS complete with a 2.75 GPA. A student would also need to complete the MAT or GRE. A student must also provide two letters of recommendation and submit the Application for Admission, which has a $30 fee. Nolan also states that the program she coordinates is part of a growing field. “Students can expect this field to grow and job opportunities to increase, though they may not be immediately available in West Virginia,” she states. She says that the other programs Concord University offers, such as Physical Education and Athletic training, benefit students who graduate by making them employable once they receive their degree.

    Per concord.edu, the Master of Arts in Health Promotion will provide a pathway that assists students in becoming skilled health educators who will be able to fulfill health needs in society in different work settings. Concord.edu outlines some settings where this program would be beneficial: community and public health agencies, work-site health promotion programs, schools, and other health organizations. According to concord.edu, “This program is designed for professionals who want to enhance their skills in promoting health strategies that will lead to improved disease prevention.”

    A student must be enrolled in the program to be able to take these courses; however, Nolan states that “We do, however, have several undergraduate courses in health that would make great electives for anyone. Particularly, Mental and Emotional Health, Community Health, and Human Sexuality are great electives.”

    The MAHP Handbook on concord.edu states that the program requires 33 credit hours for completion. Students who are admitted to the program will be able to complete it in two academic years, which begin in the fall semester. The MAHP Handbook states, “After completion of twenty-seven (27) hours of preparatory course work, students will enroll in a capstone research based practicum, HLTH 560 – Health Practicum (6 hrs).” The handbook emphasizes that ALL course work must be completed before one can enroll in HLTH 560.

    The MAHP Handbook outlines three options a student can complete to matriculate through HLTH 560. Students are required to complete one of the following options. “Option 1 is to develop, implement, and evaluate a community-based intervention project for a specific population. Students will be required to accurately plan, implement in an actual setting, evaluate impact, and subsequently, refine the intervention.” Option two states that students must develop a research question, required to be answered with analysis of primary or secondary data.

    Additionally, Option three says that students must do a systematic review that is emphasized around a health promotion topic of interest.

    Students who are interested in learning more about this program or applying to this program are encouraged to contact Dr. Jill Nolan at jnolan@concord.edu or look at the website for more information.