Lifestyle Medicine Major, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Available Program Format(s):

About the Program

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. Any minor or Department of Health Professions concentration is required.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.
A Men’s Health Pathway, Complementary Medicine Pathway, or a minor is required for this major.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: Students may fulfill half of this requirement by taking which is required for the lifestyle medicine major
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: Students may fulfill this requirement by taking and which are required for the lifestyle medicine major
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits*)

* Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Recommended: Students wishing to fulfill this requirement from a course that is an option for the major may wish to take

Lifestyle Medicine Core: 42 credits

Core required for the Lifestyle Medicine Major

COMM 2020 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3
or
HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. Credits: 3
or
SLHS 2990 - Introduction to Health Communication Credits: 3
HCM 3150 - Health Care Organization and Management Credits: 3
HCPS 3000 - Introduction to Patient Navigation Credits: 3
ITP 1000 - Health Career Foundations Credits: 3
ITP 1500 - Dynamics of Health Credits: 3
ESS 2700 - Wellness Coaching I Credits: 3
or
ITP 2950 - Wellness Coaching I Credits: 3
ITP 3450 - Dynamics of Disease Credits: 3
ITP 3850 - Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4700 - Community Health Education and Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4800 - Lifestyle Medicine Across Gender and Lifespan Credits: 3
RST 3530 - Healthy International Cooking Credits: 3
or
ITP 2700 - Holistic Dimensions of Wellness Credits: 3
or
ITP 3800 - Stress and Sleep: Impact on Health and Disease Credits: 3
or
ESS 1030 - Fitness and Well-being Credits: 1-2
and
ESSA 1870 - Stress Management Credits: 2
ITP 4550 - Advanced Health Navigation and Assessment Credits: 3
NUT 2040 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
ESS 4700 - Wellness Coaching II Credits: 3
or
ITP 4400 - Wellness Coaching II Credits: 3

Electives: 3 credits

Choose 3 credits

Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:
Credits:

Complementary Medicine Pathway: 18 credits (may complete any MSU Denver minor or this pathway)

Students must take the 3 required courses in the Complementary Medicine Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace it with any ITP prefix course. They must also choose any 3 courses from the optional courses listed below.

Men’s Health Pathway: 18 credits (may complete any MSU Denver minor or this pathway)

Students must take any 6 of the courses below in the Men’s Health Pathway unless they have been taken in the major, in which case they may replace it with any ITP prefix course.

Senior Experience: 3 credits

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Core Courses	42 credits
Elective Course	3 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Pathway or Minor and Unrestricted Electives	36-48 credits
Total for the Lifestyle Medicine Major, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.