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Message from the President: COVID-19 | 2021 Winter Commencement Celebration
Gain the skills to be an advocate for healthier lifestyle choices. Use your knowledge to empower individuals and communities to improve their wellness.
Examine the most pressing health issues outlined in Healthy People 2020 and explore the latest findings on prevention and wellness. This health studies concentration is an ideal fit if you want to inspire individuals and communities to make healthy choices and lifestyle changes. Coursework is specially developed to prepare you for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.
Course-Based: Receive up to a $2,000 grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on March 1, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Tempo Competency-Based Learning™: Receive a 50% tuition reduction for the first subscription if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on February 1, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowChoose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:
Course-based learning |
tempo competency-based learning |
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The standard, guided pace to earn your degree |
The flexible pace, ideal for some students |
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Time | Structured schedule |
Flexible schedule |
Pace | Deadlines to make steady progress |
Set your own pace, and speed up or slow down when needed |
Tuition | Pay by the course |
All-you-can-learn subscription fee |
Support | Faculty guide you through your courses as you earn your degree |
Faculty support when you need it and a personal academic coach |
Expert Walden Faculty |
✔ |
✔ |
Payment Plans and Scholarships* |
✔ |
✔ |
*May not be available for all programs
Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.
This sequence represents the minimum credits for program completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Course Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
HMNT 1001 |
Living and Learning in a Technological WorldImagine life without cell phones, television, or the Internet. Recent technological developments have significantly altered all aspects of human life: at work; in play; and in personal, family, and social interactions. In this course, students examine the advantages, disadvantages, and controversies of living and learning in an ever-changing technological environment. By exploring multiple perspectives, students discover how technology is changing media, culture, business, health, human behavior, and overall access to information. In a dynamic, reflective, and engaging classroom environment, students use a variety of audio, visual, literary, and artistic resources, to engage in open dialogue. Students are also introduced to the tools essential to success at Walden. Students complete the course with a personalized success plan that provides a customized roadmap and tools that they can use immediately on their journey toward the completion of their bachelor's degree. *Note: virtual, cyber, digital, and asynchronous are used to describe online environments in this course. |
(6 cr.) |
CORE COURSES |
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HLTH 1000 |
Concepts of Health PromotionInitiatives to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles are often more effective and cost efficient than efforts to intervene or treat disease, which is why health promotion is an increasingly popular trend in the field of healthcare. In this course, students formulate a definition of health and discuss the many influences that shape our individual and collective perceptions of health. Students consider the health-wellness continuum, including a number of factors, such as behavioral, demographic, psychological, and social forces. They also examine evidence-based methodologies for interventions to promote health and enhance wellness, and they evaluate health information found online to determine credibility and accuracy. Additionally, students reflect on ways to shape their future career in health and to promote positive change. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 1005 |
Context of Healthcare DeliveryStudents in this course describe the causes and consequences of historical events on health and medical care in the United States. They explain barriers related to cost, quality, and access to health and medical care. Students examine unique and complex aspects of subsystems and classify vertical and horizontal integrated healthcare delivery systems. They compare characteristics of healthcare in the U.S. with healthcare systems in other countries. Students also identify current and future issues, trends, and forces in healthcare reform. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 2110 |
Behavioral and Cultural Issues in HealthcareMany factors influence the health behavior and wellness of individuals and populations. Understanding these factors helps healthcare professionals reduce health disparities and address healthcare access issues for vulnerable populations. Students in this course examine the cultural and behavioral factors and issues that influence the management and delivery of healthcare services. Students develop a framework for assessing the effect of culture and behavior in a variety of settings and situations. They identify health disparities attributable to diverse cultural and behavioral factors and discuss their implications for healthcare policy. Students also engage in application-based writing assignments to further examine the goals and objectives of addressing health disparities as well as obstacles for confronting vulnerable populations. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 2500 |
Theories of Health BehaviorStudents in this course are introduced to established and emerging health behavior, health education, and health promotion theories and models. Students can develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply various theoretical frameworks and models related to psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors influencing health behavior and behavior change. Throughout this course, students will focus on the role of theories and models in planning, implementing, and evaluating health interventions in a variety of settings. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4380 |
Strategies for Health Communication and WellnessThe principles and theories of health communication and their application to health promotion and behavior change are the foci of this course. Students examine how to design and deliver health messages to various audiences while remaining sensitive to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational factors influencing the audience. Students evaluate important dimensions of intercultural and intracultural communication and study how to make scholarly writing accessible to the general population. They also explore the use of emerging technologies and social media in marketing and communications. |
(5 cr.) |
PUBH 4030 |
Planning Public Health ProgramsPlanning culturally relevant and effective public health programs is essential to improving the health of populations. In this course, students are introduced to public health program planning and design, including the process of needs assessment. Students examine and apply various models and theoretical frameworks of program planning. They also explore fundamental competencies relating to planning, such as writing goals and objectives, selecting strategies, developing budgets, and planning for specific populations. Students learn about concepts related to program implementation, management, and evaluation as these relate to the planning process. HLTH 3115). |
(5 cr.) |
PUBH 4100 |
Evaluating Public Health ProgramsHow do public health professionals know when a program is working? This course provides an introduction to evaluating public health programs. It examines various types of program evaluations, including formative, process, outcome, and impact evaluations. Students apply concepts for designing and conducting practical, ethical, and effective program evaluations that determine whether program goals are achieved. Students also explore ways to appropriately disseminate program evaluation results. (Prerequisite(s): PUBH 4030.) |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 3115 |
Public and Global HealthThrough this course, students widen their perspectives of promoting health and preventing disease as they examine health issues that transcend national borders, class, race, ethnicity, and culture. Students discuss the role of the healthcare provider in preserving and promoting health among diverse populations as well as their role in illness prevention and health promotion, protection, and maintenance of targeted populations. They explore principles of epidemiology and the influencing sociopolitical factors that impact health and well-being of humankind. Students also engage in assignments designed to provide practical application of content on topical issues, such as infant mortality rates in the United States and abroad, infectious or communicable disease, and implications of global climate change on health, among others. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4000 |
Introduction to Healthcare ManagementIn this course, students examine management concepts and theories designed to influence and improve the performance of healthcare organizations. They identify and examine the external and internal environments of organizations as well as key management functions, roles, and responsibilities. Exploring essential aspects of healthcare management, students engage in a variety of conceptual and practical activities, such as profiling a healthcare manger, assessing the value of leadership in decision making, and comparing strategic plans. Students delve deeper into content through weekly discussions on a variety of topics, such as emotional intelligence, applications of financial management, issues of quality and safety, the purpose of strategic planning, and challenges in human resources. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4200 |
Principles of EpidemiologyStudents in this course focus on the principles governing the study and practice of epidemiology. Consideration is given to the various methods available to health professionals for selecting and measuring factors of interest, describing their distribution, detecting associations, and identifying populations at risk. The features, advantages, and limitations of common epidemiologic research designs are addressed. (Prerequisite(s): MATH 1002/1030 or STAT 3001.) |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4205 |
Introduction to Research Methods and AnalysisIn this course, students examine the basic components required for the conduct of health-related research and provides students with the analytic tools needed to understand and assess research methods described in the scientific literature. Basic research methods are described, including surveys, observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental design, use of primary and secondary data, and statistical techniques for analyzing and interpreting data. |
(5 cr.) |
CONCENTRATION COURSES |
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PUBH 4000 |
Public Health Education and CommunicationEffective delivery of health education and communication often leads to improved health literacy and positive changes in behavior among populations. In this course, students receive an overview of health education and its role in improving the health of individuals as well as populations. Students review the philosophical, historical, ethical, and theoretical foundations of health education as well as effective principles for the delivery of healthcare. They also examine the primary responsibilities and competencies of health educators, trends in the field, professional organizations, national certification, and the code of ethics. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4300 |
Personal Health and WellnessThis course is an introduction for students to the essential factors that promote or challenge the development of personal health and healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, mental and emotional health, sexuality and relationships, violence and injury, and substance abuse. Students examine how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence people's perception of their health as well as their health behavior. Students review tools for assessing health and risk and have the opportunity to assess their own health and behavior using a health risk appraisal. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4320 |
Nutrition Across the LifespanHuman nutritional requirements change over the course of the lifespan. Students in this course examine the fundamentals of nutrition and the variation of nutritional needs at different life stages, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Students discuss issues such as obesity and eating disorders as well as the link between diet and disease. Students conduct a personal dietary assessment and analyze the relationship between food choices and health status in their own lives. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4340 |
Fit and Well: Core Concepts in Exercise SciencePhysical fitness is an important component of overall health and quality of life. In this course, students focus on the fundamental concepts and principles of physical fitness, including flexibility, cardiovascular health, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition as well as the physiological and psychological processes through which exercise influences health. Students create a personalized fitness program and explore the health advantages of a physically active lifestyle, including the mental, social, and psychological benefits. They also examine the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly with regard to the risk of chronic disease. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4360 |
Stress Management and WellnessStudents in this course learn about a holistic approach to stress management. They address the emotional and physical dimensions of stress as well as scientific foundations and physiological pathways. Students explore the mind-body connection, and they study fundamental principles, theories, and relaxation techniques—including cognitive and physical behavior change interventions—that can help people effectively manage personal stress. |
(5 cr.) |
CAPSTONE |
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HLTH 4900 |
CapstoneThis capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout their program into a practical, integrative literature review of a selected topic specific to their area of concentration and personal interest. Through this project, students gain experience in refining their résumé, locating and assessing professional literature, and presenting arguments and findings. Students also engage in weekly discussions on networking, professional organizations, and the promotion of positive social change. They also reflect on their learning experience throughout the program and consider how they can use these experiences to enrich future professional endeavors. (Prerequisite(s): All prior health core and concentration courses completed. This course must be taken in the student's final quarter.) |
(5 cr.) |
ELECTIVE COURSES |
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Choose 10 courses from general education, BS in Public Health, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Your elective credits should total 50 to meet your program requirements. You may also be eligible to transfer previous credit to meet elective requirements. Note on minors: Electives can also be used to complete a six-course minor. |
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VIEW ALL COURSES |
Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Total * |
---|---|---|---|
Tuition | 181 total quarter credit hours | $325 per quarter hour | $58,825 |
Technology Fee | Per quarter | $160 | $2,560 |
TOTAL | $61,385 | ||
Transfer up to 135 credits | $45,795 | ||
Total with Maximum Transfer Credits† | $15,590 |
The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.
†Maximum transfer credit total includes reduction in technology fee as related to reduced number of courses over time.
The Tempo Learning option1 is ideal for busy working professionals like you. Your progress is measured by the mastery or demonstration of skills, abilities, and knowledge in a particular area of study.
Each competency has been carefully designed by expert faculty with input from employers, with your education and future employment in mind.
Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits.
This represents the minimum credits for program completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 844-767-9522.
The BS in Health Studies program with a specialization in Health Promotion and Wellness includes the following competencies grouped within these Areas of Expertise.
Course Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
HLTH 1000 |
Concepts of Health PromotionInitiatives to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles are often more effective and cost efficient than efforts to intervene or treat disease, which is why health promotion is an increasingly popular trend in the field of healthcare. In this course, students formulate a definition of health and discuss the many influences that shape our individual and collective perceptions of health. Students consider the health-wellness continuum, including a number of factors, such as behavioral, demographic, psychological, and social forces. They also examine evidence-based methodologies for interventions to promote health and enhance wellness, and they evaluate health information found online to determine credibility and accuracy. Additionally, students reflect on ways to shape their future career in health and to promote positive change. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 1005 |
Context of Healthcare DeliveryStudents in this course describe the causes and consequences of historical events on health and medical care in the United States. They explain barriers related to cost, quality, and access to health and medical care. Students examine unique and complex aspects of subsystems and classify vertical and horizontal integrated healthcare delivery systems. They compare characteristics of healthcare in the U.S. with healthcare systems in other countries. Students also identify current and future issues, trends, and forces in healthcare reform. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 2110 |
Behavioral and Cultural Issues in HealthcareMany factors influence the health behavior and wellness of individuals and populations. Understanding these factors helps healthcare professionals reduce health disparities and address healthcare access issues for vulnerable populations. Students in this course examine the cultural and behavioral factors and issues that influence the management and delivery of healthcare services. Students develop a framework for assessing the effect of culture and behavior in a variety of settings and situations. They identify health disparities attributable to diverse cultural and behavioral factors and discuss their implications for healthcare policy. Students also engage in application-based writing assignments to further examine the goals and objectives of addressing health disparities as well as obstacles for confronting vulnerable populations. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 2500 |
Theories of Health BehaviorStudents in this course are introduced to established and emerging health behavior, health education, and health promotion theories and models. Students can develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply various theoretical frameworks and models related to psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors influencing health behavior and behavior change. Throughout this course, students will focus on the role of theories and models in planning, implementing, and evaluating health interventions in a variety of settings. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 3115 |
Public and Global HealthThrough this course, students widen their perspectives of promoting health and preventing disease as they examine health issues that transcend national borders, class, race, ethnicity, and culture. Students discuss the role of the healthcare provider in preserving and promoting health among diverse populations as well as their role in illness prevention and health promotion, protection, and maintenance of targeted populations. They explore principles of epidemiology and the influencing sociopolitical factors that impact health and well-being of humankind. Students also engage in assignments designed to provide practical application of content on topical issues, such as infant mortality rates in the United States and abroad, infectious or communicable disease, and implications of global climate change on health, among others. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4000 |
Introduction to Healthcare ManagementIn this course, students examine management concepts and theories designed to influence and improve the performance of healthcare organizations. They identify and examine the external and internal environments of organizations as well as key management functions, roles, and responsibilities. Exploring essential aspects of healthcare management, students engage in a variety of conceptual and practical activities, such as profiling a healthcare manger, assessing the value of leadership in decision making, and comparing strategic plans. Students delve deeper into content through weekly discussions on a variety of topics, such as emotional intelligence, applications of financial management, issues of quality and safety, the purpose of strategic planning, and challenges in human resources. |
(5 cr.) |
PUBH 4030 |
Planning Public Health ProgramsPlanning culturally relevant and effective public health programs is essential to improving the health of populations. In this course, students are introduced to public health program planning and design, including the process of needs assessment. Students examine and apply various models and theoretical frameworks of program planning. They also explore fundamental competencies relating to planning, such as writing goals and objectives, selecting strategies, developing budgets, and planning for specific populations. Students learn about concepts related to program implementation, management, and evaluation as these relate to the planning process. HLTH 3115). |
(5 cr.) |
PUBH 4100 |
Evaluating Public Health ProgramsHow do public health professionals know when a program is working? This course provides an introduction to evaluating public health programs. It examines various types of program evaluations, including formative, process, outcome, and impact evaluations. Students apply concepts for designing and conducting practical, ethical, and effective program evaluations that determine whether program goals are achieved. Students also explore ways to appropriately disseminate program evaluation results. (Prerequisite(s): PUBH 4030.) |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4200 |
Principles of EpidemiologyStudents in this course focus on the principles governing the study and practice of epidemiology. Consideration is given to the various methods available to health professionals for selecting and measuring factors of interest, describing their distribution, detecting associations, and identifying populations at risk. The features, advantages, and limitations of common epidemiologic research designs are addressed. (Prerequisite(s): MATH 1002/1030 or STAT 3001.) |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4205 |
Introduction to Research Methods and AnalysisIn this course, students examine the basic components required for the conduct of health-related research and provides students with the analytic tools needed to understand and assess research methods described in the scientific literature. Basic research methods are described, including surveys, observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental design, use of primary and secondary data, and statistical techniques for analyzing and interpreting data. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4380 |
Strategies for Health Communication and WellnessThe principles and theories of health communication and their application to health promotion and behavior change are the foci of this course. Students examine how to design and deliver health messages to various audiences while remaining sensitive to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational factors influencing the audience. Students evaluate important dimensions of intercultural and intracultural communication and study how to make scholarly writing accessible to the general population. They also explore the use of emerging technologies and social media in marketing and communications. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4900 |
CapstoneThis capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout their program into a practical, integrative literature review of a selected topic specific to their area of concentration and personal interest. Through this project, students gain experience in refining their résumé, locating and assessing professional literature, and presenting arguments and findings. Students also engage in weekly discussions on networking, professional organizations, and the promotion of positive social change. They also reflect on their learning experience throughout the program and consider how they can use these experiences to enrich future professional endeavors. (Prerequisite(s): All prior health core and concentration courses completed. This course must be taken in the student's final quarter.) |
(5 cr.) |
PUBH 4000 |
Public Health Education and CommunicationEffective delivery of health education and communication often leads to improved health literacy and positive changes in behavior among populations. In this course, students receive an overview of health education and its role in improving the health of individuals as well as populations. Students review the philosophical, historical, ethical, and theoretical foundations of health education as well as effective principles for the delivery of healthcare. They also examine the primary responsibilities and competencies of health educators, trends in the field, professional organizations, national certification, and the code of ethics. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4300 |
Personal Health and WellnessThis course is an introduction for students to the essential factors that promote or challenge the development of personal health and healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, mental and emotional health, sexuality and relationships, violence and injury, and substance abuse. Students examine how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence people's perception of their health as well as their health behavior. Students review tools for assessing health and risk and have the opportunity to assess their own health and behavior using a health risk appraisal. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4320 |
Nutrition Across the LifespanHuman nutritional requirements change over the course of the lifespan. Students in this course examine the fundamentals of nutrition and the variation of nutritional needs at different life stages, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Students discuss issues such as obesity and eating disorders as well as the link between diet and disease. Students conduct a personal dietary assessment and analyze the relationship between food choices and health status in their own lives. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4340 |
Fit and Well: Core Concepts in Exercise SciencePhysical fitness is an important component of overall health and quality of life. In this course, students focus on the fundamental concepts and principles of physical fitness, including flexibility, cardiovascular health, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition as well as the physiological and psychological processes through which exercise influences health. Students create a personalized fitness program and explore the health advantages of a physically active lifestyle, including the mental, social, and psychological benefits. They also examine the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly with regard to the risk of chronic disease. |
(5 cr.) |
HLTH 4360 |
Stress Management and WellnessStudents in this course learn about a holistic approach to stress management. They address the emotional and physical dimensions of stress as well as scientific foundations and physiological pathways. Students explore the mind-body connection, and they study fundamental principles, theories, and relaxation techniques—including cognitive and physical behavior change interventions—that can help people effectively manage personal stress. |
(5 cr.) |
VIEW ALL COURSES |
Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each 3-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
Program | Subscription Period Tuition | Subscription Period Technology Fee | Subscription Period Time Frame |
---|---|---|---|
BS in Health Studies | $2,250 | $75 | 3-month subscription period |
Financial aid is available for this program. Our financial aid advisors can help you identify funding opportunities to help you pay for your education.
Many Walden degree-seeking students—67%—receive some form of financial aid.* Create a customized plan that makes sense for you.
*Source: Walden University’s Office of Financial Aid. Data reports as of 2018.
Find Ways to SaveCourse-Based: Receive up to a $2,000 grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on March 1, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Tempo Competency-Based Learning™: Receive a 50% tuition reduction for the first subscription if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on February 1, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowTo be considered for admission to this bachelor’s program, you must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet the general admission requirements. If you choose the competency-based option, you also must transfer 45 quarter credits from prior coursework. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. More information for international applicants.
Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.