This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uwgb.edu.

Master of Science in Health & Wellness Management

https://www.uwgb.edu/mshwm/

The Master of Science degree in Health and Wellness Management program will equip students with the competencies required to successfully promote and advance the health and well-being of defined groups of people, to effectively lead wellness programs and to conduct research in the discipline. The degree is designed to prepare professionals to assume senior leadership positions in the wellness management field and is unique from other programs in that it has an increased emphasis on management and leadership competency development and focuses on all dimensions of personal and organizational wellness. Over the past 30 years, wellness has developed into a primary business strategy as these programs, when managed effectively, have documented successes in addressing key business issues such as health care cost containment, productivity, absenteeism, and risk management. The program features a multidisciplinary curriculum that draws on psychology, health, nursing/healthcare, communication and management sciences.

Admission Requirements

Each applicant’s prior academic work and experience will be evaluated prior to admission. Applicants are expected to have college-level writing, oral communication and computer skills. Students who show exceptional promise but lack the minimal prerequisites may be admitted provisionally. Applicants are not required to take the GRE for admission. 

To apply, you will need: 

  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • 3.0 grade point average. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission.
  • UW System application form (apply.wisconsin.edu)
  • $56.00 application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended*
  • Prerequisite baccalaureate coursework or the equivalent in the following:
    • Personal Health
    • Anatomy & Physiology or Human Biology
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • Elementary Statistics
  • A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing your decision to pursue this degree and what you believe you will bring to the Health and Wellness field. Space for the personal statement is included in the online application.
  • Resume: your resume may be uploaded as part of your application or can be emailed to gradstu@uwgb.edu 
  • Two letters of evaluation
    • The Health and Wellness Management letter of evaluation is an electronic form the applicant initiates and sends to two references.  The references must complete the form and email directly to the Office of Graduate Studies: gradstu@uwgb.edu.  Information on this process will be provided to the applicant after the UW System application has been received.  Traditional letters of recommendation are not required.
  • International students will also need to provide the following documentation:
    • A test of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
    • Course-by-course transcript evaluation from a professional evaluation service currently recognized by NACES (www.naces.org). UW-Green Bay recommends one of the following evaluation services:
    • Please note that this program is entirely online. International students are welcome to apply for and enroll in an online program. However, they are unable to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa based on enrollment in this program. 

*Official electronic transcripts must be sent to UWGB Admissions at uwgb@uwgb.edu directly from the institution that issued the transcript.
**The MS in Health & Wellness Management letter of evaluation is an electronic form the applicant initiates and sends to two references. The references must complete the form and email directly to the Office of Graduate Studies: gradstu@uwgb.edu. Information on this process will be provided to the applicant after the UW System application has been received. Traditional letters of recommendation are not required.

Degree Requirements

HWM 700Contemporary Health and Wellness Perspectives3
HWM 705Strategic Management for Wellness Managers3
HWM 710Research Methods for Wellness Programs3
HWM 715Persuasion Skills for Wellness Managers3
HWM 720Exercise and Nutrition in Health and Disease3
HWM 730Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health3
HWM 740Health Systems and Policy for Wellness Managers3
HWM 750Planning and Evaluation for Wellness Managers3
HWM 760Wellness Law3
HWM 770Behavior and Development in Organizations3
HWM 780Best Practices and Emerging Issues in Wellness3
HWM 790Health and Wellness Management Capstone Course3
Total Credits36

Progress to Degree 

Steps Toward the Degree

  1. The candidate applies to the Master Health and Wellness Management program by submitting an application, all required application materials to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
  2. The candidate is admitted to the Master of Health and Wellness Management program by the program Chair.
  3. The student fulfills the degree requirements for the program.
  4. The student is awarded a Master of Health and Wellness Management degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Faculty

Dr. Christine Vandenhouten PhD, RN, APHN-BC, CPH, Associate Professor and Academic Director of the Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management program.  BSN (1986) Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI; MSN (1991) University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh; Ph.D. (2008) Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

Fields of interest: Health Policy, Healthcare Finance, Program Assessment and Evaluation, Emotional intelligence/leadership styles, Community/public health, global health, Interprofessional healthcare, Leadership on Boards of Directors.

Dr. T. Heather Herdman PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Nursing. B.S.N. (1988), University of South Carolina, Columbia; M.S.N. (1991), and Ph.D. (1995), Boston College

Fields of interest: clinical reasoning, nursing diagnosis, patient safety and outcomes, leadership, integrative health care, cultural competence