American University's online MS in Health Promotion Management prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers in the health and wellness industries. Health promotion experts are in demand, with healthcare costs rising alongside increased efforts to fight cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

New Skills, More Freedom, More Options

With an MS in Health Promotion Management, you can apply your skills to a variety of roles, from Community Health Specialist and Program Health Coach to more senior positions such as Director of Health and Wellness and Director of Employee Wellness.

Health promotion specialists are commonly employed in corporations, hospitals, state departments of health, schools, and health plans, and are primarily responsible for providing preventative, health-related programs and policies that empower people, organizations, and communities to choose positive behaviors.1

Because your skills in health promotion will be relevant across many different settings, you'll have access to more opportunities and be more adaptable to industry changes throughout your career.

HEALTH PROMOTION IS ON THE RISE

The nation's health and wellness landscape is changing. Medicare now offers free screenings for early detection as opposed to interventions, signaling a shift to more preventative care. Food culture is shifting its focus from convenient meals to healthier ones that improve our quality of life. And government bodies and foundations are increasingly funding research and campaigns that encourage people to take responsibility for their own health.

Professionals working in health promotion are leading this charge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 16 percent between 2016 and 2026—a rate that is more than double the rate for other occupations.2

CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF CAREERS

When you graduate from this program, you'll have the credential you need to pursue a wide range of careers:

  • Client Engagement Manager
  • Development and Communications Consultant
  • Director of Health and Wellness
  • Director of Screening Services
  • Health Coach Consultant
  • Health Communication Specialist
  • Health Promotions Officer
  • Manager of Regional Wellness Programs
  • Fitness Director
  • On-Site Wellness Coordinator
  • Population Health and Wellness Manager
  • Program Health Coach
  • Senior Project Manager
  • Specialist, Health Partnerships and Policy
  • Wellness Program Administrator

ALUMNI PROFILES

  • Stephanie George, Supervisor of Wellness at the Navy Federal Credit Union
    She works with a team of passionate health professionals who facilitate a comprehensive suite of wellness programs for all employees. This includes strategic oversight of wellness services and the creation of in-house programming to engage their population and support their well-being.
  • Brian Katzowitz, Public Affairs Officer at the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
    He raises awareness about emerging disease threats and evidence-based prevention strategies through news media and social media channels.
  • Wolf Kirsten, President, International Health Consulting and Co-Director of the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces
    He is a global workplace health promotion expert working with multinational corporations and international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). He is the co-founder of the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces (http://globalhealthyworkplace.org), which hosts the Global Healthy Workplace Awards each year as well as certifying enterprises as healthy workplaces.
  • Sabari Lorenzen, Strategic Account Executive at Limeade
    She provides strategic guidance and support to her customers through the lens of whole person well-being, with the goal of elevating the employee experience.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH PROMOTIONS OFFICER

As a health promotions officer, you might lobby state or federal governments for health funding, organize health awareness programs for schools, or produce campaigns, pamphlets, website content, and more for community health programs. Individuals in this role are excellent communicators who collaborate well with colleagues when developing strategies and with other groups when providing information.2

Put your expertise to work promoting and improving health and wellness locally, nationally, and globally. Graduates of our program are employed at prestigious institutions such as:

  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Headspace Health
  • House Center for Well-Being
  • Limeade
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Omada Health, an American Health Organization
  • Partnership to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Wellness Corporate Solutions
  • WIC Association
  • YMCA

Currently, health educators employed in hospitals earn a median annual salary of $64,830.3 However, that number may vary depending on both your specific position and organization. For example, average annual salaries for health educators at Kaiser Permanente are reported to be as high as $75,000.1 Nationally, the highest 10% of health educator earners make more than $98,530 annually.3

JOIN A GROWING INDUSTRY WITH NUMEROUS PATHWAYS

Help current and future generations live better lives by promoting healthier choices. With a variety of ways to use your skills and knowledge, a Master of Science in Health Promotion Management lets you grow and build a career that's rooted in helping others.

To learn more about American University's online Master of Science in Health Promotion Management and the career opportunities it can create for you, call 855-725-7614 to speak with an admissions advisor or request more information.

Resources:

1Payscale (n.d.). Average Health Educator Salaries. Retrieved July 3, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Educator/Salary.
2Payscale (n.d.) Average Health Promotion Officer Salary. Retrieved July 29, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Promotion_Officer/Salary.
3U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019 April 12). Health Educators and Community Health Workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved August 13, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm#tab-5.