University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Program Objectives

At the completion of the Health, Wellness and Fitness program, graduates will be able to:

1. Use health, wellness and fitness assessments and technologies to inform professionals and clientele in the development of healthy lifestyle and behaviors.

2. Provide basic nutritional guidance to individuals across the lifespan, utilizing technologies as appropriate, and providing referrals to appropriate professionals such as dietitians.

3. Guide individuals and groups to behaviors that can reduce risks and diseases.

4. Understand the principles of managed care and the outcomes of lowered costs with improved health, wellness and fitness of beneficiary or recipient of services.

5. Apply theories of personal fitness to personal health, wellness and fitness occupations.

6. Develop an understanding of societal motivations and social change theories to enable individual, family, group, community or organizational adoption of healthy lifestyles.

7. Identify and distinguish common motivations and barriers to health and fitness.  Employ motivational strategies and behavior modification to assist diverse clientele in initiating and maintaining healthier lifestyle behaviors throughout the lifespan.

8. Recognize factors associated with health risks and diseases including age, gender, lifestyle, family history, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity and culture.

9. Apply knowledge of body mechanics and movement related to physiology and kinesiology in the development of wellness and fitness plans.

10. Evaluate the psychosocial impact of society, media and culture on individual and group health and wellness.

11. Apply management concepts to the unique aspects of health clubs, corporate fitness/wellness, medical wellness centers and other health and wellness related programs.

12. Apply legal principles and concepts of risk in the development of public, not-for-profit and private for-profit programs related to health, wellness and fitness.

13. Compare and contrast management of for-profit and not-for-profit health, wellness and fitness organizations.

Concentration Objectives

The Health and Wellness Promotions Concentration objectives include:

1. Develop knowledge of public health issues and disease prevention.

2. Create awareness of health issues related to the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.

3. Recognize the development of individual and common influences across the lifespan and be prepared to address issues of aging.

4. Develop knowledge of common health care issues and how these issues are dealt with by individuals and families.

5. Recognize the impact of leisure activities on families, culture and society.

6. Recognize the individual and cultural implications of nutrition and patterns of nutrition within communities.

7. Develop knowledge and skill to establish health education with fitness organizations and communities.

Fitness Professional Concentration objectives include:

1. Understand the health and fitness industry.

2. Develop knowledge and skills to manage a health and fitness organization.

3. Develop knowledge of group and individual fitness techniques.

4. Recognize the need for specific nutrition and hydration strategies for athletes and those wishing to become more athletic.

5. Understand the psychological dimensions of fitness and wellness and develop the skills to help individuals cope with stress and other common life adjustments.

6. Develop knowledge and skills to assist individuals with health and fitness throughout the lifespan.