100%
One-hundred percent of our students complete a 100-hour internship with department faculty support and guidance.
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion & Wellness
Teaching others how to live a healthy lifestyle is challenging. Health promotion from the University of St. Thomas teaches you how to generate awareness in the community about leading a healthy life while providing you with practical experiences at the same time.
Why Study Health Promotion & Wellness at St. Thomas?
As medical costs continue to rise nationwide, the study of health promotion gains importance as we strive to create programs centered on healthy lifestyles for individuals and communities. When you graduate from St. Thomas, you will be familiar with the intricacies of physical health, as well as the challenges of motivating communities toward health awareness. Whether you choose to work for a corporate health promotion program, or even work in a position influencing public policy, our program will give you the skills and knowledge needed for success.
Creating a Healthier World
Course Requirements
You complete courses focusing on human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, supplementing your knowledge further with courses in nutrition and personal health and wellness. You also have options for applying your expertise in specific fields, such as marketing, biology, chemistry or communication.
Four-Year Plan
You start by completing foundational biology and chemistry courses, progressing to classes focusing on enhancing your communication skills and knowledge of personal health and wellness. We recommend connecting with a faculty member to plan your four years at St. Thomas.
Degrees Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion & Wellness
Internships
All of our students complete a 100-hour internship with one-on-one guidance from a faculty member. We often see students intern with large corporations, community-based organizations and nonprofits. They have also interned with health clubs, small businesses and physical therapy clinics.
Scholarships
We offer the Bridget A. Duoos Endowed Research Fund Scholarship to students each year, sponsoring faculty-mentored research and travel funds for other student research. Dr. Duoos was a St. Thomas professor from 1995 to 2016 and chair of the Health and Exercise Science Department. She was a highly productive scholar, making significant contributions to the discipline and was a dedicated advocate to student academic success.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You complete courses focusing on human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, supplementing your knowledge further with courses in nutrition and personal health and wellness. You also have options for applying your expertise in specific fields, such as marketing, biology, chemistry or communication.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
You start by completing foundational biology and chemistry courses, progressing to classes focusing on enhancing your communication skills and knowledge of personal health and wellness. We recommend connecting with a faculty member to plan your four years at St. Thomas.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion & Wellness
Internships
Internships
All of our students complete a 100-hour internship with one-on-one guidance from a faculty member. We often see students intern with large corporations, community-based organizations and nonprofits. They have also interned with health clubs, small businesses and physical therapy clinics.
Scholarships
Scholarships
We offer the Bridget A. Duoos Endowed Research Fund Scholarship to students each year, sponsoring faculty-mentored research and travel funds for other student research. Dr. Duoos was a St. Thomas professor from 1995 to 2016 and chair of the Health and Exercise Science Department. She was a highly productive scholar, making significant contributions to the discipline and was a dedicated advocate to student academic success.
Making a Difference
Our faculty are passing on their knowledge and expertise to students. Alumni are working in the community to make a difference in the world. You? You will meet fellow students passionate about living a healthy life.
Dr. Marty Knight
Dr. Knight is a long-time adjunct faculty member at St. Thomas. He earned his PhD from the University of Minnesota in physical education, specializing in educational psychology. He often teaches introductory courses, bringing guest speakers to introduce students to career options early. This helps students navigate the many choices they have available to them within the health promotion program.
Nicholas Harrison
Nicholas began working with Nike after graduating from St. Thomas. His long-term goal? Become a sport research scientist. After a few years at Nike, he attended Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, earning his master’s degree in clinical biomechanics. He wrote his dissertation on soccer cleat design and implications they have on performance.
Yasmin Adams
Yasmin interned for two years at the St. Thomas Wellness Center, creating and hosting nutrition-focused events. One of her favorites was the “Fruit of the Month,” where they presented a piece of fruit or a vegetable for students, suggesting feasible and fun ways they could incorporate it into their meals. The program focused on helping students see how easy it is to make healthy meal options.
Career Paths
There are a number of career paths available to you after graduating from St. Thomas.
- Athletic trainer
- Wellness coordinator
- Community recreation director
- Recreation and fitness specialist
- Health promotion program manager
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
Opportunities Aplenty
36%
Thirty-six percent of American youth between the ages of two and 19 consume fast food on a given day. Health promotion majors learn how to help change these habits.
5
Five minutes of moderate exercise usually gives you a “mood-enhancement effect,” making your day a little brighter!
Faculty with Real Experience
Dr. Timothy Mead
Dr. Mead coached and taught physical education in K-12 schools. He received his PhD from the University of Toledo.
Dr. Starr Sage
Dr. Sage earned her PhD in environmental health from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Amy Hedman-Robertson
Dr. Hedman-Robertson earned her PhD in health education, now serving on the board for a national commission for health education.
Get Involved
Whether you are volunteering in the community or presenting your research at a conference, we are sure you will find plenty of opportunities to get involved at St. Thomas.
Connect Locally
Special Olympics joins the Health and Exercise Science Club on the field for a kickball tournament, forming friendships and participating in fun competition to encourage physical activity and teamwork.
Build Your Knowledge and Network
Many students to the annual Midwest Health Promotion Conference in St. Paul to network and share ideas with professionals in the field, exposing them to career opportunities and industry progress.
Live a Healthy Life
The Health and Exercise Science Department collaborates with Health Promotion, Resilience and Violence Prevention to offer an internship to all St. Thomas students in our programs. This allows students to apply theories and ideas learned in the classroom.
The World Is Your Classroom
Students go on field trips to get real-world experience, visiting places like Northwestern’s 3D Gait Analysis Facility and the Minnesota Vikings training facility.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.