Health and wellness management professionals administer and assess workplace health promotion programs within various organizations. Whether leading nutrition or mental health-focused wellness activities in a single office, or working for multiple business teams, health and wellness managers understand wellness is multidimensional: physical, emotional, occupational, financial, social, spiritual, intellectual, and environmental.
Additionally, health and wellness managers must balance employee needs with organizational expectations. With the ever-evolving workplace and the push to support and connect with employees growing more important than ever, effective health and wellness managers:
- Advocate for affordable employee healthcare costs
- Seek to support and improve overall employee well-being
- Understand productivity challenges for employees, both in the workplace and at home
- Increase employee retention through relationship building and proactive listening
- View employees as people who have different wellness needs
- Acknowledge that personal life affects work life
A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in health and wellness management equips human resource administrators, insurance professionals, nurses, fitness coaches, health educators, and health promoters responsible for managing workplace wellness programs with the skills and knowledge to prioritize health initiatives that make a difference.
RELATED: Why a Career in Health and Wellness Management Could Be the Right Transition for You
Navigating Health and Wellness Management During a Global Pandemic
The year of 2020 catapulted health and wellness into the global spotlight. As the world copes with uncertainty driven by a pandemic, including job loss, trauma, and isolation, there has never been a more critical time to prioritize all dimensions of wellness.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise around the country and world—creating personal safety issues across workplaces—employers must now think differently and act strategically about staying connected with employees and their needs. In March 2020, health and wellness management professionals had to adapt—in some cases overnight—to support remote workforces. However, even before the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4.7 million U.S. workers were already working remotely. This number is expected to increase post-pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone. In the midst of the chaos, employee well-being is more important than ever, and a well-designed program can positively impact the people we serve. Those of us in wellness leadership roles need to work with our wellness provider and senior leadership to assess current wellness programs and identify what is working and what is lacking. It’s important to determine the needs of your workforce and develop a customized strategy to engage all employees with a special emphasis on the remote employees and their needs.”
—Eric Ziarek, wellness program manager at Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health and Wellness Management Advisory Board member.
RELATED: Health and Wellness Expert, Laura Putnam, Discusses COVID-19 and the Future of Wellness
Health and Wellness Management Courses
Designed and taught by University of Wisconsin faculty and industry professionals, the UW Health and Wellness Management program offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees with comprehensive curricula. From health, law, research, communication, and management courses, graduates receive a well-rounded education to learn and strengthen needed skills to be leaders within many organizations and businesses.
Bachelor’s courses
Bachelor’s-level health and wellness management students are passionate about wellness and want to help others, but they may lack healthcare/wellness work experience. The bachelor’s curriculum establishes graduates with foundational knowledge in health-related topics. With a UW Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Management, graduates are prepared to enter the health promotion field.
Our bachelor’s graduates work in a variety of positions such as wellness center manager, wellness education specialist, health education instructor, and health and wellness consultant. Bachelor’s-level courses at a glance:
- Introduction to Human Health
- Health and Medical Terminology
- Health Literacy
- Worksite Health Environment
- Stress Dependencies and Addictions
- Understanding and Effecting Health Behavior Change
- View full list of bachelor’s level courses
Master’s courses
Master’s-level health and wellness management students already hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking career advancement opportunities within their health and wellness management role or are looking to move into a leadership health and wellness position. The master’s curriculum focuses on advanced techniques in health and wellness management as well as a capstone course where students lead projects in real-world businesses. UW Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management graduates are qualified for high-level leadership positions that improve overall employee well-being.
Our master’s graduates work in a variety of positions such as corporate manager of benefits, wellness account manager, and employee wellness specialist. Master’s-level courses at a glance:
- Strategic Management for Wellness Managers
- Research Methods for Wellness Managers
- Exercise and Nutrition in Health and Disease
- Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health
- Wellness Law
- Best Practices and Emerging Issues in Wellness
- View full list of master’s level courses
Health and Wellness Management Resources
The University of Wisconsin Health and Wellness Management program is a Premier Provider of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and a member of the Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI). These partnerships allow both the bachelor’s and master’s programs to stay up to date and connected with workplace wellness resources.
Other health and wellness management resources you may find helpful:
- Wellable’s employee wellness challenges and health content
- Health Enhancement Systems’ workplace wellness white papers
- National Wellness Institute’s events and courses
- Redesigning Wellness podcast
For a closer look into health and wellness management career paths, check out the Health and Wellness Careers Outlook, Job Titles, and Salaries page.
University of Wisconsin Health and Wellness Management
If you are looking to change careers or to advance your career, the 100% online University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management will provide you with a valuable degree, respected by employers throughout the United States and beyond.
The online format affords maximum flexibility and offers easy access to academic advising and student support services that are the backbone of the UW Health and Wellness Management program—making it an optimal choice for adult students balancing work and family responsibilities.
For more information, contact a helpful enrollment adviser by calling 608-262-2011 or emailing learn@uwex.edu.
