Health and Wellness (HW)
HW205: Vitamins, Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements
This course introduces the most commonly used vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements. Single vitamins - their benefits, dosage, precautions, and contraindications - will be reviewed as well as vitamin formulas routinely recommended. Nutritional supplements will be introduced and their categories, benefits, and safety issues will be explored and discussed. The principal systems of herbal medicine found worldwide will be illustrated along with their individual characteristics and common usage. This course also examines the growing popularity of herbal medicines from a sociological and ecological standpoint.
Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None
HW280: Mapping the Mind-Body Divide
Psychology, physical fitness, and complementary and alternative medicine each have their own unique perspective on what constitutes health and wellness. This course explores each of these disciplines and maps their interrelationships as they weave together the more holistic view of human health and potential that is prevalent today.
Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None
HW310: Complementary and Integrative Medicine
This course explores the field of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), becoming familiar with the variety of professions that comprise it and their major concepts, methodological approaches, and theoretical foundations. You will investigate the multifaceted meaning of the term "holistic" and investigate how each CIM profession uniquely describes itself in light of this. Current research will be explored, including the impact of the National Institute of Health's CIM division.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW315: Models for Health and Wellness
This course introduces the concepts of health, healing, and wellness from a broad historical and multicultural perspective. You will investigate how changing ideas about religion, philosophy, science, and psychology have influenced our understanding of health, and how the practice of medicine continues to be affected by global, social, and economic pressures. Contemporary models of health and wellness will be illustrated by drawing upon selected writings from each major proponent, and you will undertake the development of an original model of health and wellness based on an understanding of and sensitivity to current geopolitical and multicultural issues.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW320: Contemporary Diet and Nutrition
This course explores current dietary trends and examines the role geopolitical and economic forces have on our day-to-day food choices. The impact of the globalization of world food markets will be investigated, as will the ongoing controversies of genetic engineering, food-borne illnesses, and the organic food movement. The spectrum of popular diets and their advocates and critics will be discussed along with the current scientific research available for each. You will reflect on the diversity of food choices, prohibitions, and taboos that exist within our multicultural and multiethnic communities to increase awareness and sensitivity.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW410: The Science of Stress and Resilience
In this course, you will examine the biopsychosocial factors that shape the human experience of stress and analyze how behavior patterns and environmental factors influence well-being. By investigating the physiological impact of mindfulness practices on perceived stress, you will synthesize psychological theory and physical response. Through the lens of current research, you will evaluate and apply evidence-based regulation strategies to modulate the stress response and build long-term resilience. The course emphasizes both self-awareness and professional application, culminating in the ability to design integrated stress management plans tailored to the unique needs of diverse populations.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW420: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Wellness
In this course, you will synthesize theories of meditation, mindfulness, and transpersonal psychology to foster spiritual and personal growth. You will evaluate spiritual and psychological assessment strategies and analyze the impact of spiritual fitness on professional engagement and organizational culture. By integrating scientific inquiry and spiritual practice, you will formulate ethical, client-centered interventions.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW425: Health and Wellness Programming - Design and Administration
This course introduces you to the practice of health promotion and the essential components of comprehensive health and wellness programming. You will learn a general model of program planning that includes assessing health needs, setting goals and objectives, developing an intervention, planning for program implementation, and evaluating results. Practices related to successful program outcomes, such as engaging stakeholders, identifying funding sources, and exhibiting cultural competence, are explored. The course culminates in the creation of original community-based health promotion and workplace wellness programs.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None
HW499: Bachelor's Capstone in Health and Wellness
This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness. This course builds on the concepts of all the courses students have taken within the program of study. The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework in an original comprehensive project, and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.
Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: Last term