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Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion

Help build a healthier future through Health Promotion, the science and art of health behavior change.  Blending communications and operational strategies with multiple facets of public health—from nutrition principles and physical activity planning to disease prevention—you will develop capacities for creating meaningful change and healthier communities.
Course Descriptions & Requirements

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AU student presenting at podium.

Why Health Promotion—and Why Here?

Health promotion focuses on evidence-based strategies to guide individuals, organizations, and communities toward healthier lifestyles. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates core subjects, including anatomy, nutrition, exercise physiology, and health psychology, with development of practical skills in health promotion communication and program planning. Our focus on learning beyond the classroom—with unique opportunities for internships, research projects, and community engagement—prepares you for careers in community, educational, and business environments, or to pursue graduate studies in health-related fields. You may excel in this program and health promotion careers if options like the following may intrigue you:

  • Designing innovative community outreach initiatives to uplift and educate
  • Integrating health promotion and disease prevention strategies into healthcare systems
  • Crafting media campaigns to spotlight emerging health issues
  • Creating workplace wellness programs that inspire healthy living
  • Helping clients exceed their fitness and nutrition goals
  • Influencing health policy to drive meaningful change at local, state, and national levels
  • Advocating for health equity and promoting wellness in diverse communities

Shape Your Degree Path

Health students working with our Food Matters project in DC Ward 7.

Whether you know your future dream career now—or not—you can pick a health major and minor that will strengthen each other. Choices include a variety of electives about issues related to your health interests such as wellness, nutrition, exercise physiology, psychology, stress management, or other concentration areas—see complete Degree & Course Requirements. This suite of options prepares you for an evolving job market after graduation. For example, you could

  • Major in Health Promotion and minor in Public Health, or choose another health or CAS minor where your interests are strongest. 
  • Plan ahead for a career as a community health coordinator, wellness program coordinator, health consultant or educator, research coordinator, or apply to nursing or dental school, a physical therapy program, or a physician assistant program. 
  • Confer with us about best curricular options for post-graduate degrees in health, medicine, or social sciences.

Your degree pathwawy can evolve through research and internships, accelerated start on MA or MS degrees, honors program options and more:

Our department offers original research opportunities and active projects in local communities that you don’t often find at other universities at the undergraduate level. Projects include the INSPIRE Lab; Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities; and the Health, Well-being, and Mindfulness Lab, and the Nutritional Neuroscience Lab.

Internships with local non-profits, governments and businesses: AU's DC metro location positions our students and graduates to access highly sought-after internships and post-graduate career opportunities at health institutes, public policy firms, government agencies, and the headquarters for nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Our faculty’s relationships with DC institutions and healthcare organizations open doors in the nation’s capital and beyond for internships in three primary areas:

  1. Allied Health interns serving as physical or occupational therapy assistants, rehabilitation aides, assistants to an athletic specialist, or as medical assistants:
    • Physical Therapy Assistant, Tucker Rehabilitation Hospital: Montvale, NJ
    • Occupational Therapy Assistant, National Rehabilitation Hospital: Washington, DC
    • Assistant to the Athletic Specialist, Riekes Center for Humans Enhancement: Menlo Park, CA
    • Physical Therapy Aide, Metro Orthopedics and Sports Therapy: Silver Spring, MD
    • Assurance and Patient Safety Intern, Mercy Medical Center: Baltimore, MD
  2. Corporate Health Promotion interns working as health and fitness interns, fitness instructors, or corporate wellness interns:
    • Minority Health Intern, Kaiser Permanente: Rockville, MD
    • Lifeworks and Diversity Intern, Discovery Channel: Silver Spring, MD
    • Fitness Instructor, World Bank Fitness Center: Washington, DC
    • Health and Fitness Intern, L&T Fitness: Washington, DC
  3. Health Promotion interns working in varied settings engaged as health promotion specialists, research assistants, or educational policy interns:
    • Research Assistant in Neurology Lab, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine: Irvine, CA
    • Health and Wellness Intern, Adventist HealthCare Health and Wellness: Rockville, MD
    • Educational Policy Intern, Urban Education Leaders Internship Program: Washington, DC
    • Assistant Teacher, Appletree Early Learning Center: Washington, DC
    • Assistant Coach and Researcher, Infinity Wellness Foundation: Washington, DC
    • Client Relations Intern, A Wider Circle: Washington, DC
    • Assistant to the Partnership Program Manager, DC Central Kitchen: Washington, DC
    • Strength and Conditioning Coach, Georgetown University: Washington, DC

Did you know you can streamline your learning journey by combining your undergraduate degree with a related master’s degree? Health Studies students now have the opportunity to complete a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program in 5 years. Check out these ways to accelerate your learning:

American University has two honors programs: The American University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major program. All students can apply to more than one Honors program.

Our Honors in Health Studies program invites exceptional Health Studies students to dive deep into their passion for research and innovation. You’ll complete an individually-led research project with guidance from a dedicated faculty mentor.

Live, Learn, and Grow Your Career Here

CASE competition winners.

Our campus in the DC metro area positions our students and graduates to access highly sought-after internships and post-graduate career opportunities at health institutes, public policy firms, government agencies, and the headquarters for nonprofits and non-governmental organizations.

Our faculty’s relationships with DC institutions and healthcare organizations open doors in the nation’s capital and beyond. Whether you choose to work in health-related fields or pursue an advanced degree and research, you’ll graduate ready to step into your dream job with experience on day one.

Discussion with students.

Overall employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 7 to 13 percent (respectively) by 2033, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These are some of the employers and positions for our recen health promotion undergraduates

  • American Institutes for Research: Research Assistant
  • Children's National Hospital: Program Associate 
  • Mary's Center: WIC Nutrition Assistant
  • National Park Service: Park Ranger
  • Navy Federal Credit Union: Wellness Program Coordinator

Discover current professional development opportunities through AU’s Career Center and see data about our recent graduates.

Alumni Spotlight: Olivia DiBiasio

Olivia Dibiasio celebation AU graduation.“I ultimately chose AU over other universities because of the Health Promotion degree; I learned quickly that this was a perfect match for me and my passions in fitness/wellness and helping others.”

—Olivia DiBiasio (BS Health Promotion & MS Health Promotion Management)

What You'll Walk Away With

Scientific & Technical Skills

  • Scientific knowledge of anatomy, nutrition, physiology, and psychology along with evidence-based behavior change theories, stress management practices, health communication strategies, and wellness practices.
  • Ability to interpret and translate scientific research and evidence-based concepts into health program design, management, and evaluation.
  • Completion of a Health Studies Internship involving the application of health promotion concepts to practical approaches in the field.

Professional Skills

  • Capable of articulating concepts clearly through well-developed written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Primed for today’s collaborative, fast-paced workforce using tested methods of teamwork, adaptability, and time management.

Declare Major or Minor

Health Promotion Industry-Specific Expertise

  • Expertise in designing evidence-based health promotion plans, using a health equity lens.
  • Ability to apply behavior change theories to health equity-focused programming.
  • Experience conducting research and creating a multi-faceted monitoring and evaluation strategy for assessing health promotion activities.

Competitive Advantages

  • Industry-leading faculty with collaborative professional relationships throughout the DC area built over 40+ years.
  • An extensive network of over 150,000 overall AU alumni working across the globe who recognize the exceptional academic credibility of an AU degree.
  • Your own personal and professional community in the DC metro area (on-campus students) and/or internationally (study abroad students) — cultivated during your degree program.

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