SUNY Oswego recently announced a new online master’s in health promotion and behavioral wellness, which responds to the increasing need for skilled health promotion and wellness professionals, providing a comprehensive curriculum that equips students for influential roles in this dynamic field.

As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of supporting their employees’ holistic health, the need for professionals skilled in behavioral wellness and health promotion has surged. The online master’s in health promotion and behavioral wellness at SUNY Oswego meets the rising demand to prepare professionals well-versed in preventive lifestyles and behavior modification, empowering graduates to impact public health and wellness substantially.

"The launch of our online master’s in health promotion and behavioral wellness program is a significant milestone for SUNY Oswego," said Kristen Eichhorn, dean of graduate studies at SUNY Oswego. 

"This exciting new program focuses on designing and evaluating interventions that help motivate and educate individuals to lead healthy lives,” Eichhorn said. “We are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact on public health and connecting them to a job sector that is projected to grow significantly over the next few years. This program is a testament to that commitment, and we look forward to seeing the positive changes our graduates will bring to communities and organizations worldwide."

Career preparation

One of the first students in the program, Michael-Daniel Vodzogbe, is excited to prepare for his career through the university’s online master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral wellness. 

“Wellness management has been a part of my lifestyle for as long as I can remember,” said Vodzogbe. “My mother and father raised me to put health and wellness first. My mother practices more on the nutritional side, whereas my father was an athlete like me. So, combined, it made me more interested in studying health and wellness.”

A Laker student-athlete with multiple school records to his name, Vodzogbe graduated from Oswego with a bachelor’s in wellness management and continued on his educational journey to prepare for a future career in a supervisory role. He noted that he wanted to become a wellness and athletic coach for youth. He plans to translate what he learns in the program to his profession and inspire youth to “find better ways to manage their stress and well-being.”

“My favorite course is HSC 510: Mind-Body Wellness, with professor Amy Bidwell. The class focuses on stress response,” said Vodzogbe. “I find it interesting because stress is a big concern among youth and young adults. So learning how internal mechanisms work allows me to practice techniques and behaviors that allow me to smile in the face of adversity, while also sharing these beneficial tools with others.”

Health promotion career outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for health promotion professionals is projected to increase from 7 percent to 15 percent, by 2032, depending on the specific sector.

“The healthcare workforce shortage nationwide has increased the demand for non-medical professionals to help bridge the gap between populations' health needs and health management,” said Najah Zaaeed, assistant professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness.

“Health promotion and behavioral wellness professionals can play a pivotal role in job sectors like healthcare by leading initiatives that can improve individuals' health behaviors and overall well-being,” Zaaeed said.

Graduates will complete the online 30-credit hour program in 12 to 18 months. The 18-credit core curriculum lays a solid foundation in holistic well-being, focusing on evidence-based behavior change theories and strategies, program planning and implementation, and evaluation methods. These core courses are complemented by a selection of electives, allowing students to build a personalized education path tailored to their specific interests and career goals.

Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to take on roles as:

  • Community health professional
  • Health promotion and wellness advocate
  • Health promotion and wellness director
  • Health promotion and wellness program manager
  • Health promotion/wellness specialist
  • Human resource wellness specialist
  • Wellness consultant
  • Wellness entrepreneur

Even more, graduates are expected to emerge as culturally proficient leaders adapting and integrating technology into program planning, evaluation and lifestyle behavior change, preparing them uniquely qualified in their current or prospective job sectors. 

Learn more about the master’s in health promotion and behavioral wellness via this website. Those with questions can email HPBWgrad@oswego.edu.