Health Promotion Practices
Community Health and Development Department
Health Promotion Practices Associate of Arts (95 credits)
Program Description
Students completing the Health Promotion Practices Degree will be prepared to use theory and evidence-based practices to coach and assist clients with chronic disease management, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, stress management, and motivation to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The curriculum is uniquely designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with Native American individuals and communities. Students also participate in an internship, providing the opportunity to gain practical experience and work with potential employers.
The Degree was also specifically designed to articulate with the University of Montana’s Bachelor Degree in Public and Community Health. Students who complete the degree will be able to transfer to that Bachelor Degree with junior standing.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
The Health Promotion and Prevention Practices A.A. will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to fill new and/or enhanced positions in health education and health promotion on Native American reservations and in urban centers. The Degree prepares students to work in positions such as health promotion in clinics or social service agencies or as associate working in grant-funded projects related to health promotion and disease prevention.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Health Promotion and Prevention Practices curriculum, students will be able to:
I. SCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE
• Understand of the science of basic human physiological functions as they relate to human health and disease
• Apply major theories of behavior change and their application to health promotion, including the importance of nutrition, exercise, and healthy behaviors throughout the life cycle
• Become familiar with theories and models that relate to health behaviors, including stress and coping, trauma, and health behavior change.
• Understand and apply theories and models that are specific to Native American contexts including tribal communities.
II. FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of chronic disease prevention and management
• Demonstrate familiarity with the interface of health, stress, trauma and coping behaviors in both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles, including positive and negative coping mechanisms
• Be able to develop effective nutrition and exercise programming to encourage long-term behavior change strategies.
III. FUNDAMENTALS OF PERSONAL HEALTH PLANNING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
• Demonstrate personal health planning, goal setting, motivation, and strategies for change as related to nutrition, exercise, chronic diseases, and substance abuse
• Develop skills in the practice of health behavior coaching and motivational interviewing, including communication style, listening skills and behavior change readiness identification
• Demonstrate critical thinking in application of evidence-based approaches to promoting health, using both Western and Indigenous perspectives
• Utilize effective communication and advocacy in community health settings
• Apply an understanding of ethical and legal considerations in health settings.
Health Promotion Practices Associate of Arts
Fall Quarter (First Year)
| BIOS109 | Biology of Living Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS108 | Biology of Living Systems | 4 |
| ENGL101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HLTH101 | Foundations of Health | 2 |
| IDST101 | SKC Seminar | 3 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Winter Quarter (First Year)
Spring Quarter (First Year)
| BIOS217 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| AND | |
| BIOS218 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| | |
| HLTH171 | Exercise Prescription and Health | 5 |
| HLTH190 | Health Behavior Counseling | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fall Quarter (Second Year)
| HIEP118 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| HIEP121 | Medical Legal Aspects | 2 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| NUTR221 | Basic Human Nutrition | 5 |
| ELECTIVE | Native American Studies General Education Open | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Winter Quarter (Second Year)
| HLTH269 | Pre-internship Health Promotion Practices Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 103 | Contemporary Math | 5 |
| PSYC240 | Trauma, Stress, Coping and Health | 3 |
| SPCH100 | Basic Communications | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | Health Promotion Practices Emphasis Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Quarter Second Year
| HLTH270 | Health Promotion Practices Internship | 4 |
| HPED125 | First Aid/CPR | 1 |
| SCWK160 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 3 |
| SCWK203 | Domestic Violence: Breaking the Cycle of Abuse | 2 |
| SVLN100 | Community Service Learning | 1 |
| ELECTIVE | Health Promotion Practices Emphasis Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Health Promotion Practices Emphasis Electives