Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Lifestyle Medicine Major, B.S.


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Department of Health Professions  

College of Health and Human Sciences  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

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 General Studies Requirements  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) 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • 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


Electives: 3 credits


Choose 3 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.

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.

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