NDSU: College of Human Development and Education

Wellness Track

Description and Career Opportunities:
The purpose of the Wellness track is to prepare researchers/scholars, leaders, and teachers in the health and wellness promotion area. The continued growth of exercise and wellness in a variety of settings including corporate, educational, governmental, medical, and private programs has created a demand for scholars in this area. The program was created because of the demand for teachers and scholars with great expertise related to health and wellness promotion, with a focus on physical activity and nutrition. Universities need people who can teach a variety of courses in exercise and wellness areas, and who also have outstanding research credentials.

The study of physical activity is central to this degree. While the focus is on physical activity, health and wellness promotion (disease prevention, quality of life promotion, and enhancement of well-being), sound nutrition and stress management are also instrumental to the track. It is expected that students admitted to the Ph.D. program will have a strong foundation in Exercise and Wellness. Those lacking background in the area will be required to make up deficiencies.

Evidence now exists that healthy lifestyles helps to reduce the risks of chronic disease and improve one’s quality of life. Good health, including wellness and sound physical fitness are attainable goals by most people if they adhere to healthy lifestyles. Most recent documents, including the 1996 Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, reveal the importance of physical activity. This scientific evidence has led corporate, government, and other health and fitness agencies to become involved in health promotion efforts.

Most graduates of the Wellness track will find positions in college teaching and research. Typically graduates are hired to teach in health and wellness promotion, worksite wellness, and fitness management programs. Courses most frequently taught by graduates include: health and wellness promotion, fitness management, wellness and fitness foundations, and exercise and nutrition, though there are many others depending on the graduate’s appointment.

Though most graduates will pursue careers in college teaching and research, some pursue fitness, health and wellness promotion work in agencies outside of the university. Examples include employment in an administrative capacity with the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association as well as administration of a private health promotion facility such as The Cooper Institute. Others may find careers in clinically-based health promotion and wellness centers.

Although a Wellness Ph.D. may be considered to be narrowly conceived (National Science Foundation, June 5-6, 1995; Council of Graduate Schools, "Preparing Future Faculty," 1994-96), as a track within the Human Development Ph.D., this narrowness becomes more broadly defined. A strength of the program is the opportunity for students in all areas of the Ph.D. to interact, gaining a broad perspective of human development and an understanding of the connection among different helping systems.

A survey of jobs in The Chronicle of Higher Education (Woods & Karp, 1997) found that in physical activity only 18% of the jobs were at Research I and II institutions while 82% were at Doctoral I and II, Comprehensive/regional, liberal arts, and community college institutions. In addition, few of the job advertisements were seeking individuals with very narrow preparation; most were seeking scholar/practitioners who could function more broadly in teaching and research.

References:

National Science Foundation. (June 5-6, 1995). Summary report: Graduate Education and postdoctoral training in the mathematical and physical sciences. Washington, DC: Author.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1996.

Wood, M.L., & Karp, G.G. (1997). Are you ready for today's higher education positions? Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 68(7), 46-50.

Tentative Schedule of Course Offerings

Course Number and Title	Credits	Tentatively Scheduled
HDE 720 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Human Development	3	Even Falls
HDE 790 Graduate Seminar	1	Each Fall
STAT 725 Applied Statistics	3	Every Semester (including summer)
CDFS 683 Family Wellness	3
HNES 652 Nutrition, Health and Aging	3	Odd Springs
HNES 722 Epidemiology	2
STAT 661 Applied Regression Models	3
OR
STAT 663 Nonparametric Statistics	3
CDFS 703 Research Methods in CDFS	3	Spring
OR
EDUC 703 Research, Measurement and Program Evaluation	3	Every Fall and Summer
HNES 710 Current Literature in HNES	3
HNES 719 Wellness and Leisure for Adults	3	Odd Falls
CDFS 660 Adult Development and Aging	3	Each Spring
CNED 680 Stress Management	3
HNES 713 Graduate Exercise Physiology	3
HNES 721 Health Promotion Programs	3
PSYCH 681 Health Psychology	3
CDFS 782 Advanced Human Development: Birth Through Childhood	3	Even Falls
OR
CDFS 784 Advanced Human Development: Adolescence Through Adulthood	3	Even Springs
HNES 726 Nutrition in Wellness	3
HNES 655 Sports Nutrition	3
HNES 727 Physiology of Physical Activity and Wellness	3
HNES 724 Nutrition Education in the Community	3
The following can be scheduled in any semester in consultation with your graduate advisor:
794 Teaching Internship	3-6 credits
794 Field Experience/Practicum/Intership	3 credits minimum
799 Doctoral Dissertation	10-15 credits

** This listing represents the core and content elective courses as they are currently scheduled. Consult with your advisor about your specific program of study and scheduling changes.

Professional Links and Resources: