Summary Points for University of Delaware's MS in Health Promotion

M.S. Health Promotion

Program Mission:

The mission of the University of Delaware’s M.S. in Health Promotion Program is to prepare leaders in the diverse health promotion fields who can translate science for the comprehensive promotion of health and prevention of disease among individuals and population across the lifespan.

Program Summary:

· The master’s degree program in Health Promotion was initiated in Fall 1998.

· The master’s degree in Health Promotion is a 33 credit hour non-thesis program.

· This program consists of both class work, and practical or research experiences that enable the student to plan, implement and evaluate Health Promotion interventions in a variety of settings.

· The program consists of 18 credit hours of required course work, 12 credit hours of elective course work, and either a 3 credit hour internship experience or research project.

Courses

Required Within Health Promotion (18 credits)

HESC 609 Survey Research Methods

HESC 602 Statistics (or equivalent)

HLPR 803 Advanced Health Promotion Programming

HLPR 807 Topics and Issues in Health Promotion

HLPR 809 Health Behavior

HLPR 823 Human Response to Stress

Electives: Students take electives from numerous departments across campus including Individual and Family Studies, Urban Affairs and Public Policy, Education, Communication, Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, Business

Program statistics:

Started in 1998 as a college owned program with 4 new students enrolled and has grown to maintaining a class of 6-10 new students each year. This year 23 students are currently enrolled in the program.

The total number of students enrolled to date is 90 students. Sixty-six students have graduated.

The graduates have been placed in positions at Nemours Health and Prevention Services, Ogilvy marketing, Towson University, Watermark Retirement Community, Pa Department of Health, DE Division of Public Health, CDC, Astra Zenica, Preventive Medicine Rehabilitation Institute, to name a few. Several others have continued to obtain their PhD in varied disciplines.

Funding: Currently all of the fulltime students needing funding (with the exception of those working full-time) are funded through grants or assistantships.

Feedback from Review in 2006:

· Recommendation that program be housed in Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences

· Approved numerous faculty to be involved in program

· Recommendation of resources to be allocated to the program including assistantships, space for GAs, and secretarial assistance

· Conduct a formal review every 5 years

Improvements:

· Assigned to the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition and now receiving departmental support

· Continued demand for the program ( have met with 6 potential applicants thus far this year)

· Growth of program has continued under two different program directors (Mike Peterson & Beth Orsega-Smith)

· Agreement with TJU in providing HP graduate students the opportunity to take courses at TJU in Public Health and also TJU students to take UD courses in Health Promotion

· Collaborations with numerous UD departments and outside partners:

o University of Delaware : Physical Therapy Program, Ag Extension, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, UD Student Programs ( Healthy HENS)

o Outside Partners: Department of Public Health, Nemours Health & Prevention Services, Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Education, WIC (Women Infants and Children), AI Dupont, Christiana Care Health Services, EA Sports

Needs and Problems:

Additional faculty would allow for expansion and to meet the growing demand of students as well as to take advantage of research grant opportunities.

Future Trends:

Increased need for behavior related and population-based post-baccalaureate education

Allow other BHAN faculty to work at the graduate level via course elective opportunities

· E.g. Iva Obrusnikova--Adapted program

Development of a Health Behavior Therapy certification as part of the MS in Health Promotion

Importance to the Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition

The Health Promotion Graduate Program will be a cornerstone for the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition. With the emphasis on prevention of chronic disease and promotion of healthy lifestyles, the mission of the program is key to developing individuals and communities with sustainable healthy lifestyles. The program has been able to place students while obtaining their education in key areas in the University Community (Healthy HENS, Activity Courses, Employee Wellness Center) and outside of the community (Nemours, WIC, Christiana Care, and local Senior Centers).