Required Content & Format for Degree Project

CC640 – Degree Project

Kailinda Moreno

MORENO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Associate of Arts in Student Wellness

Proposed Degree Program Submitted To: Moreno Community College Curriculum

Committee

Date: August 2, 2020

Prepared By Faculty Member: Kailinda Moreno

Department: Higher Education

Subject: Student Wellness

Degree Origin:

This is a new associate’s degree in higher education and has been

designed to prepare students to take on roles to support students in the field of
wellness. With this degree students can also move on to bachelors or doctorate
degrees in the area of higher education.

Degree Description:

This is a liberal arts degree and requires 60 credit hours for degree completion. The
AA in Student Wellness was designed for people wishing to pursue work roles in the field
of wellness within higher education. Students pursing this role should have a passion for
supporting college student in more ways than only academics and should have a passion
for helping other cultivate healthy habits. Students will learn the 7 dimensions of wellness,
how to advocate for their students, and how to support their students during difficult and
stressful times.

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Need and Benefit

Institutions of higher education have many departments that support students. Academic
Affairs assists in the area of academics, the Office of the Registrar helps to ensure record
keeping and classes are added and dropped correctly. Student Affairs often oversees clubs
and residential life. However, universities and sometimes even specific academic departments
are now seeing the need for wellness centers. The Office of Student Affairs in the Stanford
Medical School now has a wellness center that specifically supports medical students (Stanford
MD Program, 2020). However, there are no specific degrees in wellness related to higher
education. Most degrees are in health and wellness and are more fitness and nutrition oriented
(Education Connection, 2020). Degrees in general higher education, academic affairs, and
psychology can help prepare for roles in wellness, however a specific degree for wellness in
higher education does not exist.
The Stanford Medical School posted a job for a Wellness Program Coordinator in July
2020 and under education requirements only have a high school diploma a few years of
administrative experience listed (Indeed.com, 2020).This somewhat vague requirement really
tells us that degrees in student wellness do not exist. The Wellness Program Coordinator
would need to aid the director in running the center, work with various departments, and help
students. This degree is designed to help with those type of skills and more. This degree will
give students the various knowledge and skills in supporting wellness in the area of higher
education

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Admission Standards and Graduation Requirements:

 For admission students must have a high school diploma or the equivalent
(GED), submit an application to Moreno Community College. and submit a
letter of purpose for the program.

 Students will need to complete 60 credit hours for the degree and half of the
credit hours (30 credits) must be completed at Moreno Community College.
Students must graduate with a 3.0 or above. All general education
requirements and elective unit are eligible for transfer. Of the major course
requirements only the following courses are eligible for transfer:

• Introduction to Research 300

• Counseling and Abnormal Psychology 350
• Higher Education in the U.S. 200
• Social Justice in Higher Education 250

Instructional Delivery Methods & Resources Needed

 Instructional delivery for the AA in student wellness will begin as a

traditional on campus program. Once interest in the program is
assessed and the program has two successful years our goals is to
develop online courses equivalent to those on campus.

 The Department of Higher Education would like to possibly create a

bachelor’s degree in Student Wellness with a capstone project in the future.
For now this new AA will require a thesis.

 The existing Department of Higher Education facilities will be able to sustain

the needs of this new degree. Faculty will utilize lecture style classrooms and
smaller group discussion classrooms to teach the required courses. Students
will need access to internet in the classroom and at home to complete all
required work.

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 Faculty Resources:

 The Faculty in the Department of Higher Education are very excited about
this new degree. Most of us have learned on the job how to best support
the wellness of our students and are so happy to provide a degree that
can provide students more insight before beginning these types of roles.
 In the final two semesters of this degree each student will be appointed
an advisor in the Department of Higher Education to help guide them and
act as a point of reference in the final year.
 A combination of tenured, part-time, and fulltime faculty will be teaching
the courses necessary for the AA in Student Wellness. Most have
Masters and PhDs in Higher education and currently work or have worked
in academic advising, student affairs, wellness centers, and academic
affairs roles.

General Outline of the Degree Program:

Course Title Credit Hours

General Education Requirements 24 Credits Required

English Language & Critical Thinking 6 Credits Required

Choose 2 Courses (all course are worth 3 credits below):
College English 101, Public Speaking 130, Journalism 130, Business
Writing 130

Social & Behavioral Science 6 Credits Required

Choose 2 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Psychology 101, Sociology 101, Emotional Intelligence 130, Political
Science 101, Anthropology 201

Physical & Biological Sciences 3 Credits Required

Choose 1 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below):
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Biology 101, Earth Science 201, General Chemistry 10, Human Anatomy
130

Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 3 Credits Required

Choose 1 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Statistics 101, College Algebra 100, Business Math 130, Economics 130,

Arts & Humanities

Choose 1 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below): 3 Credits Required
World History 101, Women in U.S. History 130, Philosophy 101, Ancient
Culture and Religion 201, Dance 101, Health 101, Spanish 101, Spanish
102, Japanese 101, Japanese 102, French 101, French 102

Lifelong Understanding & Life Development 3 Credits Required

Choose 1 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Music Appreciation 101, Dance 101, Health and Nutrition 130,
Horticulture 101, Personal Finance 101

Major Course Requirements 24 Credits Required

List course in major area of study (In some cases you can list several and say “choose
5 from list)

Psychology 9 Credits Required

All Courses Required (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Introduction to Research 300
Counseling and Abnormal Psychology 350
Dimensions of Wellness 340

15 Credits Required
Higher Education
All Courses Required (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Higher Education in the U.S. 200
Social Justice in Higher Education 250
Leadership and Mentorship in Higher Education 260
Student Advising and Advocacy 240
Choose 1 Course (all course are worth 3 credits below):
Academic Affairs 201 or Multicultural Affairs 203

Electives 9 Credits Required

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List of Electives
Choose a combination of classes that will be equivalent to 9 credit Example Combination for 9
hours: credit hours:

3 Credit Courses:
Fine Art 101, Digital Art 101, Theater 130, Journalism 201, Ceramics 6 Credits
130, Dance 101, Health 101, Yoga 130, Horticulture 101, Personal
Finance 101, Spanish 101, Spanish 102, Japanese 101, Japanese 102,
French 101, French 102,

2 Credit Courses:
Nutrition 101, Sustainability 101, Film History 101 2 Credits

1 Credit Courses:
College Sport, Teaching Assistant, Resident Assistant, Student 1 Credit
Council/Government Position

Capstone Experience 3 Credits Required

Briefly describe Capstone Experience (if any)

Student Wellness Thesis 400 3 Credits Required

While a capstone experience would be great to offer, it is more

appropriate for a bachelor’s degree. Students wishing to complete
their AA in Student Wellness will be required to write a thesis on a
topic related to student wellness. Students will be encouraged to
take on internship and work roles on campus, but an internship
experience will not be required.

Total Credit Hours: 60

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 Sample Program Semester Course Breakdown:

Course # Course Title Credit Discipline Course Description Rationale for Inclusion
Hours

Semester 1 – Fall 2020 Total Credit Hours - 14

ENG 101 College 3 English This is a course in reading This is a General
English and writing that ensures Education course
first year college students required of all AA
are prepared for the levels Degrees at Moreno
of reading and writing Community College. This
required in their upper course was designed to
division courses. ensure that students can
communicate confidently
in all courses.

HIS 130 Women in 3 History This history course is This is an optional

U.S. designed to highlight General Education
History important women throughout course required of all AA
the world and U.S. history. Degrees at Moreno
This course will require Community College. This
writing and research. course was designed to
ensure that students are
able to understand word
and U.S. history with an
emphasis on the roles of
women.

Statistics 3 Mathematics This is a college level course in This is an optional General

MTH 101 statistics. Education course required
of all AA Degrees at
Moreno Community
College.

SUS 101 Sustainability 2 Sustainabilit This is an introductory course This is an elective course
y to sustainability in the U.S. designed for any degree or

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 and worldwide. Topics of non-degree seeking student
pollution and policies related to take.
to sustainability will be
covered.
Psychology 3 Psychology This is an introductory course Major course requirement
in psychology. This course is for AA in Student Wellness.
PSY 101 required for most higher This coursed is designed to
education degrees and all help ensure that students
psychology degrees. This have a foundational
course will be heavy in understanding of
research and writing. psychology.

Semester 2 – Spring 2021 Total Credit Hours - 18

Public 3 English This course has been This is an optional General
Speaking designed to teach students to Education course required
feel comfortable and confident of all AA Degrees at
ENG 130
speaking publicly. This is a Moreno Community
great course to take in the College. This course was
beginning of your academic designed to
career, as many other courses
will require some form of public
speaking.
Emotional 3 Psychology This is a new course the This is an elective course
Intelligence Psychology department stared designed for any degree or
last year. This is an non-degree seeking student
PSY 130
introductory course on to take.
emotional intelligence.
Introduction to 3 Psychology This course was designed so Major course requirement
Research that any students majoring in for AA in Student Wellness.
psychology or degrees with This coursed is designed to
PSY 300
psychology courses help ensure that students
understand proper research will learn how to write
methods. research papers and cite
properly.
Biology 3 Physical and College Introduction to Biology. This is an optional General
Biological This course will require lab Education course required
BIO 101
Sciences work and id encouraged to of all AA Degrees at
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 take prior to any higher division Moreno Community
science courses. College. This course was
designed to
HED 200 Higher 3 Higher This is an introductory class on Major course requirement
Education in Education institutions of higher education for AA in Student Wellness.
the U.S. in the United States. This This coursed is designed to
course will be a heavy help ensure that students
research and writing course. maintain an understanding
on the role colleges play in
the U.S.
HED 260 Leadership 3 Higher All faculty and staff are seen Major course requirement
and Education as leaders on college for AA in Student Wellness.
Mentorship in campuses. They are there to This coursed is designed to
Higher support students and students help ensure that students
Education look up to them. This course will learn how to not only
will teach students how to be advise, but mentor students
effective leaders and mentor while they complete their
students and other faculty. degrees.

Semester 3 – Fall 2021 Total Credit Hours - 15

BIS 101 Personal 3 Business This course is designed to Major course requirement for
Finance teach students how to manage an AA in Business and is
their finances. Students will be also a popular elective
taught how to create and course for other degree and
manage a personal budget. non-degree seeking
Excel will be heavily used in students.
this course. Topics covered will
be student loans, credit cards,
and creating a savings
account.
HED 250 Social Justice 3 Higher This course will cover the role Major course requirement
in Higher Education social justice plays in higher for AA in Student Wellness.
Education education. This will be a This coursed is designed to
course heavy in writing and help ensure that students
research. will learn how to support a

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 diverse student population
and be advocates of social
justice and inclusion.

SPN 101 Spanish 3 Language This is an introductory course This is a course designed as
to the Spanish language. an elective course and a
Students will learn to begin to general education course for
read, write, and speak any degree or non-degree
Spanish. seeking student to take.
PSY 340 Dimensions of 3 Psychology Students will learn the 7 Major course requirement
Wellness dimensions of wellness: for AA in Student Wellness.
spiritual, physical, emotional, This coursed is designed to
career/financial, intellectual, help ensure that students
environmental, and social. have an understanding of
wellness and it’s role in
(University of Wisconsin, 2020). higher education.
PSY 350 Counseling 3 Psychology This is an advanced Major course requirement
and Abnormal psychology course and wil for AA in Student Wellness.
Psychology cover topics in abnormal This coursed is designed to
psychology and counseling help ensure that students
methods and practices. learn the complexities of
the mind and how to
recognize abnormalities.
This course is imperative
for degree completion, so
that students can refer the
students they will advise in
the future to seek
counseling.

Semester 4 – Spring 2022 Total Credit Hours - 13

HED 400 Student 3 Higher In this course students will Major course requirement
Wellness Education select a research topic related for AA in Student Wellness.
Thesis to student wellness and write a This course is was
12-18 page thesis. The student developed for students to
wellness thesis is mandatory solidify their understanding of
for degree completion and is to student wellness.

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 be presented in the last
semester of degree
completion.

TA 100 TA for Psych 1 Psychology One credit will be granted for This is an elective course
101 being a teaching assistant for designed for any degree or
an introductory course. This is non-degree seeking student
a pass or fail credit. to take.

HED 240 Student 3 Higher This is an advanced course in Major course requirement
Advising and Education Higher Education. Students will for AA in Student Wellness.
Advocacy learn how to advice and This coursed is designed to
advocate for their students. help ensure that students
This course will require high will learn how to advise
levels of research and writing. their students in areas of
academics and
mental/emotional and
physical health.
SCI 101 Introduction to 3 Physical and This course is an introductory This is an elective course
Horticulture Biological course in horticulture. Which is designed for any degree or
Sciences the science and art of growing non-degree seeking student
fruits, vegetables, flowers, and to take.
other plants.
HED 201 Academic 3 Higher This is an exploratory course Major course requirement
Affairs Education in the department of for AA in Student
academic affairs. This course Wellness. This coursed is
will require research and designed to help ensure
writing. Topics covered will that students will learn
be academic advising, faculty how to support their
affairs, and enhancing the students in areas of
educational experience. academia. Understanding
Students will be expected to the role of this
understand the role of department will help
academic affairs in students to refer their
institutions of higher advisees and work with
education. this department for any
needs.

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 Total Number of Credit Hours: 60

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 Summary/Conclusion

Entry level jobs and careers in Student Wellness now exist on college
campuses across the nation. What we need now is the proper education for
these roles. The AA in Student Wellness is only the beginning. It is the hope of
the Department of Higher Education to develop more degrees in this area.
Students need professional staff in the area of wellness. Students need more
preventative support than reactive. Wellness centers are in place so that
students can maintain their mental, emotional, and physical health. This way
students don’t wait to fail a course to see an advisor or wait until their mental
health is so severe that they need time away from school.

References:

California Community Colleges. 2020. Curriculum And Instruction Unit | California Community Colleges
Chancellor's Office. Available at: <https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-
Office/Divisions/Educational-Services-and-Support/What-we-do/Curriculum-and-Instruction-Unit>
[Accessed 2 August 2020].

Foothill College. 2020. General Education Options For Transfer 2020 - 2021. Available at:
<https://foothill.edu/transfer/pdf/current_transfer_ge_guide.pdf> [Accessed 1 August 2020].

Indeed.com. 2020. Wellness Program Coordinator - Stanford, CA - Indeed.Com. Available at:

<https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=3182d8630c5f9438&tk=1eeontqem1t37000&from=serp&vjs
=3> [Accessed 2 August 2020].

Online Health And Wellness Degree Programs For 2020. Available at:
<https://www.educationconnection.com/online-degrees/health-and-wellness-degree/> [Accessed
2 August 2020].

Psychology Degree 411. 2020. Associate's Degree In Psychology. Available at:

<https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/associates/> [Accessed 2 August 2020].

Stanford MD Program. 2020. Student Wellness. Available at: <http://med.stanford.edu/md/student-

affairs/student-wellness.html> [Accessed 2 August 2020].

University of San Francisco. 2020. School Of Education Master's / Credential Programs. Available at:
<https://www.usfca.edu/education/programs/masters-credential-programs> [Accessed 2 August
2020].

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University of Wisconsin. 2020. School Of Health Sciences And Wellness. Available at:
<https://www.uwsp.edu/HPHD/Pages/7dimensions.aspx> [Accessed 2 August 2020].

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