Health Promotion
Health promotion is a developing discipline committed to improving the health and quality of life of individuals and communities. Health promotion practitioners assess, plan, implement, and evaluate programs that increase health-enhancing behaviors, decrease health risk behaviors, and create environments supportive of healthy lifestyles. In addition to coursework and skill development in the theories and processes of health promotion, the Iowa program is especially known for its content emphases in exercise prescription, active living, and dietary assessment.
The Health Promotion Track curriculum offers specialized areas of content including certificate credit in aging, entrepreneurship, global health studies, and public health. It prepares students to take certification exams from the most prestigious professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Community and clinical practicum experiences give students additional opportunities to apply health promotion concepts and skills. As a capstone experience, supervised academic internships are available in a variety of organizational settings, both nationally and internationally.
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Health and Human Physiology, Health Promotion Track
- Master of Arts (MA) in Health and Sport Studies, Health Promotion Specialization Area
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Integrative Physiology, Health Promotion Area
Scholarships
The Department is pleased to announce the availability of student scholarships founded by former faculty and graduates of the disestablished Departments of Health and Sport Studies and Home Economics. We invite you to apply for the following awards: Margaret Fox (undergraduate transfer students), Elizabeth Halsey (undergraduate/graduate female students), Mary Monroe Bell (graduate female students), Bess Whittaker (undergraduate students), Margaret Osborn (graduate students), and C. Pauline Spencer (undergraduate/graduate female students). Please complete this form and attach requested materials (described within) to be considered for all applicable scholarships.
Career Options
Iowa health promotion graduates have a strong foundation for numerous career directions. Graduates leave The University of Iowa prepared for health promotion positions in hospital-based and corporate-based wellness programs, non-profit health agencies, commercial fitness enterprises, municipal recreation programs, and federal and state health promotion agencies. Employment opportunities in these sectors have been good to excellent and are projected to increase. The rigor of the curriculum also prepares students for graduate study in other academic disciplines including public health and provides excellent preparation for professional study in the health professions such as accelerated nursing and occupational therapy.
