The Health Promotion Management program at American University was the first in the US to combine the concepts of health and wellness with the principles of business and management. Our curriculum provides broad-based preparation in health promotion with hands-on experience for management positions. The curriculum focuses on management and programming skills in addition to effective methods for creating and delivering health education information. Students learn to incorporate all levels of influence from the individual to policy-level in an effort to promote healthy behaviors and improve quality of life.

The general population, business leaders, and government agencies have become increasingly aware of the importance of health, its impact on the economy, and the quality of life of people in the US Since 1980, AU's Health Promotion Management program has been at the forefront of the education and training of leaders in health promotion. Recent curriculum changes, faculty research, and new program initiatives have been developed to respond to the emerging trends in the US and the world including the Affordable Care Act, a push for health promotion activities, community-based programs, and the increasing prevalence of chronic disease.

The Health Promotion Management program offers students options that enable them to gain experiences to meet their personal needs and interests.

• Students may pursue the degree at a pace that works with their current schedule or employment situation. Courses are typically offered in the evening hours.
• Program tracks and coursework include the opportunity to tailor information to a desired area of focus
• Students interested in research, publication, or continuing with advanced studies can choose to write a thesis in lieu of performing an internship
• Internships can be performed locally, nationally or internationally, and are designed to ensure maximum exposure and opportunity for hands-on experience in the student's projected field of employment

Class schedules have been designed to allow students in the Master's program to progress through the program either on a full or part-time basis . Full-time students generally complete course requirements in two years. This includes three courses each semester and two summer session courses usually in combination with working at a corporate fitness site or other job related experience. Courses are offered in the evenings and in a sequence that allows for convenient scheduling.

Students who complete their application by February 1^st and plan to start full-time in the fall are eligible for merit scholarship awards including graduate assistantships and/or tuition remission. Prospective students are also encouraged to research external scholarship opportunities. Many students choose to pursue part-time or full-time work on campus to help offset tuition. Still others obtain worksite experience while attending the program. Our program's weekly email listserv is a valuable resource for finding work and internship opportunities. The Office of Financial Aid or the graduate admissions coordinator can provide more specific information about the opportunities and benefits available. View the Office of Financial Aid's Cost of Attendance resources.

Applications are completed via the Graduate Admissions online system. Once you have submitted the online application you will need to upload supplemental materials including your resume and statement of purpose. Official transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation will also need to be sent to the CAS graduate admissions office. Additional information can be found on the Graduate Admissions website.

Once a student's application is complete, it will be reviewed by the university and the Health Promotion Management graduate committee. If all requirements are met, selected candidates will be invited to an interview. Acceptance into the program is based on the results of the interview, GRE scores, and educational preparation. A decision is typically provided within 1-2 weeks of completing the application. The Graduate Admissions Coordinator is always available to assist the candidates and to answer questions about their status.

The Health Promotion Management program recruits and admits students from a wide range of backgrounds, undergraduate degrees, occupations, and nationalities. We have learned that a strong belief in health promotion, desire, and enthusiasm are the best predictors for success in the program and in future careers. All students must meet the American University admissions requirements, submit official transcripts and GRE scores, and complete departmental admissions requirements, including two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.