A new CPASS major will open a flexible track toward health science and non-school based community health-related careers, beginning in fall 2020. Students in the fully approved Health and Well-being major can tailor a degree program within a diverse field, targeting a variety of roles.
The curriculum is designed to help students plan their degree program while preparing for the future. The customizable major features community partnerships, hands-on learning, student research and mentorship.
A customizable approach allows students to take additional electives, leading to various graduate and professional programs and specific career goals. This is an ideal major, since, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations are projected to grow at a faster rate than the average for all occupations.
Students in the major may select from one of two degree possibilities. The BS option includes many of the necessary science prerequisites or open electives to become eligible for admission to health-related graduate programs such as nursing and athletic training or other allied health-related fields like physical and occupational therapy and chiropractic.
An alternative career pathway includes foundation courses for those interested in community health and well-being, available within the BA degree. Graduates from this program can work with different clients supporting healthy habits such as nutrition, physical activity and fitness, stress management, financial health and environmental health.
The program allows students to further modify their degree by adding an area of emphasis related to their specific career and academic goals. All areas of emphasis include an internship experience and include adventure and outdoor learning, aquatic physical activity, fitness, recreational sport and therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation.
Additional career possibilities include medical equipment and pharmaceutical sales representative, healthcare communications specialist, hospital administrator, healthcare project manager and allied health professional.
“Whether you see yourself in a hospital, recreational setting or an aquatic facility, the Health and Well-being program can provide an academic pathway to make that dream a reality,” says Valerie Wayda, associate professor and associate dean for undergraduate and academic affairs.