MSU Denver
Lifestyle medicine is the evidence-based approach of using lifestyle interventions to prevent and treat many chronic diseases, improve outcomes and quality of life, tackle health disparities, and decrease healthcare costs.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is proud to offer the first Lifestyle Medicine Major and Minor at the bachelor’s level in the country. The major and minor can be completed fully online or through a combination of classroom and online courses.
The Bachelor of Science Major in Lifestyle Medicine provides students with competencies in lifestyle medicine, health navigation, and wellness coaching. Lifestyle medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle approaches, including healthful eating, physical activity, sleep, stress management, tobacco cessation, fostering relationships, emotional wellness, and environmental health. These approaches prevent and treat many chronic diseases, improve outcomes and quality of life, tackle health disparities, and decrease health costs. Throughout the major, themes of cultural competence, service, self-care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and whole-person health will be emphasized.
The major prepares students to incorporate the principles of evidence-based lifestyle medicine in health related careers, prepares students to obtain related certifications, and positions them as leaders in addressing national health concerns. This major is also applicable to students wishing to enter graduate health professional schools; however other prerequisites will likely be necessary for admission. A minor is required.
The Lifestyle Medicine Major requires the following courses and electives. In addition to the courses listed below, many courses will require prerequisite courses prior to registration.
Required Core Courses: 45 Credits
Required Elective Courses: 3 Credits
Total for Major: 48 Credits
The Lifestyle Medicine Extended Major requires the following courses and electives. In addition to the courses listed below, many courses will require prerequisite courses prior to registration. A minor is not required.
Required Core Courses: 45 Credits
Required Elective Courses: 15 Credits
Total for Extended Major: 60 Credits
The Lifestyle Medicine Minor requires the following courses and electives. In addition to the courses listed below, many courses will require prerequisite courses prior to registration.
Required Core Courses: 9 Credits
Required Elective Courses: 9 Credits
Total for Minor: 18 Credits
Choose at least 9 Credits from the following (at least 3 hours must be upper division). Note: for ITP 2950/HPS 2700 & ITP 4400/HPS 4700 credit will only be given for one prefix: ITP or HPS
Academic Accreditation is an assurance of the quality of an academic program. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, including Colorado and 18 other states. The mission of the HLC is to serve the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning. For more information, please visit the Higher Learning Commission.
The Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine Pathway at Metropolitan State University of Denver is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and prepares students for the NBHWC certifying examination.
The pathway consists of the following courses:
In addition to completing this pathway, students must also fulfill additional NBHWC requirements such as a submitting a coaching log and required documentation to the NBHWC to be able to take the examination.
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The Department of Health Professions is located:
Auraria Campus, West Classroom #239
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Department of Health Professions
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Campus Box 33, PO Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362
