BSc in
Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health and Wellness Illinois Institute of Technology
Introduction
A second-year medical resident can treat 80 percent of people with a heart condition by giving simple guidance: eat better, get more exercise and sleep, and stop smoking. Easy, right? The problem is knowing what to do is much easier than knowing how to do it. Lifestyle habits are engrained from years of subtle abuse of our bodies. In that way, these aren’t issues for medicine; they’re issues for psychology.
As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health and Wellness program at the Lewis College of Human Sciences, you will develop your understanding of how lifestyle choices impact health over time, and how to design individualized programs to promote healthy living, most often related to nutrition, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use. You’ll also become a patient advocate, educating patients on how to steer through the daunting bureaucracy of health care services.
Program Overview
We're interested in how lifestyle choices affect health and wellness. Our students learn to create individualized programs to promote healthy living, most often related to nutrition, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use. They also learn to be great patient advocates.
The behavioral health and wellness degree program will provide students with a broad understanding of how lifestyle choices impact health, and how health professionals design programs to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Students will develop an understanding of three core areas:
- Intervention development and implementation
- Community care coordination
- Public health policy
Promoting skills in these interrelated areas will prepare graduates for a wide range of health/wellness professions in private business and industry, community organizations, and healthcare environments.
The behavioral health and wellness degree is designed as an interdisciplinary program, combining coursework in psychology, sociology, political science, and nutritional science to address health promotion at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. The curriculum of the behavioral health and wellness major will provide students with a broad understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural context of health behavior, including related theories, skills, and emerging technology.
A flexible curriculum allows the degree to be customized around student interests and career goals. Students can choose to specialize in health psychology, public health, or nutrition. The degree program will include a capstone project designed to integrate and apply the concepts and skills learned throughout the curriculum. The capstone will be an individually tailored project defined in collaboration with a faculty adviser which will typically involve a field placement and may include a research component.
Why Illinois Tech is one of the best value universities in the country
As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).
We’re committed to dramatically reducing the cost of your degree, so you can focus on learning at one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven universities in the country.
Want some more great reasons?
- On top of our institutional scholarship, on average, Illinois Tech awards our students an additional $34,412 each in need-based tuition aid over four years ($43,015 for five years). (among FAFSA filers, fall 2021)
- We’re the #44 Best Value School in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
- 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid
- The mean starting salary of our undergraduates is $63,938
Facilities
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).
First-Year Domestic Scholarships
All domestic first-year students are considered for the Heald scholarship, an institutional tuition award ranging from $60,000 to $120,000 over four years of undergraduate study. No additional application is necessary to be considered for the Heald scholarship.
The following scholarships are also available to first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Please note that some of these scholarships require a separate scholarship application.
Additional Institutional and Donor-Funded Institutional Scholarships
If a student earns one of the institutional scholarships listed below, the highest institutional scholarship awarded will replace the Heald scholarship awarded upon admission. The university will not combine multiple scholarships unless otherwise noted.
Deadline November 15
Camras, Crown, Duchoissois, and Leadership Academy Scholars make up approximately 4-5% of our incoming first-year class each year. Apply under Early Decision I or Early Action I to be considered for these full-tuition scholarships.
- Camras Scholarship
- Crown Scholarship
- Duchoissois Leadership Scholars
- M.A. and Lila Self Leadership Academic Scholars
Deadline January 15
Apply under Early Decision I/II or Early Action I/II to be considered.
- Illinois Tech VEX Robotics Scholarship
- Illinois Tech FIRST Robotics
- The Chicago Difference
Navy ROTC and Service-Based Scholarships
If a student earns one of the scholarships listed below, the highest institutional scholarship awarded will replace the Heald scholarship, which is awarded upon admission. The university will not combine multiple scholarships unless otherwise noted.
- NROTC Preparatory Scholarship
- Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
- Chicago Police and Fire Departments Scholarship
Interest-Based Scholarships
The awards below may be combined with existing Illinois Tech institutional scholarships.
- Illinois Tech Esports Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
- EDGE Award: The Edge award funds Elevate experiential learning opportunities such as study away, research, internships/co-ops, and more. Students may earn Edge awards by participating in virtual internships and other activities prior to enrolling at Illinois Tech. Learn more about Elevate and Edge awards.
Need-Based Scholarships
To be considered for need-based financial aid at Illinois Tech, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA. Designate "IIT" on the FAFSA with our Title IV code, 001691, so we will receive your electronic Student Aid Report.
In addition to institutional scholarships, students who submit their FAFSA to Illinois Tech also receive on average $34,412 over four years in federal and state grants and institutional need-based scholarships. Students who submit their FAFSA will also be considered for loans and federal work-study.
External Scholarships
Illinois Tech is committed to helping students secure additional funding from outside sources. We regularly add outside scholarships to our Scholarship Opportunities spreadsheet, which can be accessed through the Scholarship Channel on the myIIT portal, which students can gain access to upon admission to the university.
International Undergraduate Student Scholarships
Illinois Tech is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student body, and we offer institutional scholarships to international students ranging from $40,000-$80,000 over four years of undergraduate study. International first-year and transfer students are eligible for a combination of scholarship and grant packages, including institutional scholarships and Phi Theta Kappa membership. Each application is automatically reviewed for institutional scholarships based on the student’s academic success, involvement in the community, and other achievements. No additional application is required.
Because international students are expected to finance their education for the duration of study at Illinois Tech, international students are required to submit the Financial Affidavit of Support to demonstrate their ability or the ability of an individual or government sponsor to finance their education. Tuition and fees may change each year, but you can view them for the current academic year.
You must demonstrate that you or your sponsor have available finances* to meet the educational and living expenses while you are a student at Illinois Tech.
* Minimum dollar amount may vary based on any institutional scholarships awarded.
Please note: If a student earns multiple Illinois Institute of Technology institutional scholarships throughout the admission process, the university will award the highest institutional award for which the student is qualified but will not combine multiple awards.
Additional Institutional and Donor-Funded Scholarships
M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholars
Application Deadline: November 15 (You must apply under Early Decision I or Early Action I to be considered)
Complete and submit the Leadership Academy Scholarship Application
Named for former University Regent Al Self and his wife, Lila, the M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholarship is a distinguished and prestigious award given to the top applicants to the university who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.
Illinois Tech World Robot Olympiad Scholarship
Candidates competing for the Illinois Tech WRO scholarships demonstrate an aptitude for science, technology, and other STEM subjects. WRO scholars are eligible for an institutional scholarship award of $25,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study (five years for architecture).
Dimiter Etimov Scholarship
Bulgarian citizens who are accepted for admission to an Illinois Tech undergraduate program may apply for the Dimiter Etimov Scholarship. Applicants must have graduated from a Bulgarian high school and intend to return to Bulgaria after their studies.
Contact: Professor Alex Nikolov
Online Funding and Scholarship Databases
Fastweb: Searchable database of scholarships
College Scholarships: Fee-based scholarship application service
Funding for United States Study: Database of more than 500 scholarships, fellowships, and grants for international students, organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education
GrantsNet: Database of grants for training in the sciences and undergraduate science education.
International Education Financial Aid: Free searchable database of more than 800 scholarships and awards for international students, most of which are restricted to use at specific universities
InternationalScholarships.com: Comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other financial aid information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad
InternationalStudent.com: Database of U.S. higher-education institutions awarding scholarships to international students
Organization of American States Leo S. Rowe Fund: This program provides loans of up to $15,000 USD for undergraduate students in their last two years of study or any graduate student; available for citizens of Latin American countries
NAFSA Financial Aid for Undergraduates: This resource provides information primarily for students with nonimmigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.); information for permanent residents of the United States also included
MyCollegeScholarship.org: Advice on how to apply for scholarships
U.S. Department of State—Education USA: Provides support to a network of educational advising/information centers around the world that advise prospective international students and other audiences on higher education and study opportunities in the United States
Foundations
Fellowship Office of Policy and Global Affairs: Administers pre-doctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral fellowship programs in research-based fields of study
The Foundation Center: Fee-based website for institutional grant-seekers
Institute of International Education (IIE): Offers programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals, and trainees from all sectors, with funding provided by government agencies, foundations, and corporations
International Research and Exchanges Board: Offers various scholarships, fellowships, and grants to international students
MacArthur Foundation: Makes grants through four programs: Human and Community Development, Global Security and Sustainability, the General Program, and the MacArthur Fellows Program
Open Society Institute: Administers merit-based grants to international students
Rockefeller Foundation: Offers grants in four program areas: Food Security, Health Equity, Creativity and Culture, and Working Communities
Rotary Foundation: Offers a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational programs and activities designed to improve the human condition and advance the organization’s ultimate goal of world understanding and peace
Social Science Research Council Fellowship: Provides support and professional recognition to innovators within fields, and especially to younger researchers whose work and ideas will have a longer-term impact on society and scholarship.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Behavioral Health and Wellness Requirements ---- ---- (27-28)
Select one of the following: ---- ---- 2-3
- PSYC 100 ---- ---- Intro to Profession ---- ---- 3
- LCHS 100 ---- ---- Intro to the Professions ---- ---- 2
- SSCI 100 ---- ---- Introduction to the Profession ---- ---- 3
- PSYC 221 ---- ---- Intro to Psychological Science ---- ---- 3
- PSYC 330 ---- ---- Health Psychology ---- ---- 3
- PSYC 204 ---- ---- Rsrch Method in Behavioral Sci ---- ---- 4
- PSYC 310 ---- ---- Social Psychology ---- ---- 3
or
- SOC 208 ---- ---- Social Psychology and Society ---- ---- 3
- PSYC 409 ---- ---- Psychological Testing ---- ---- 3
or
- SSCI 480 ---- ---- Intro to Survey Methodology ---- ---- 3
- SOC 200 ---- ---- Introduction to Sociology ---- ---- 3
- SSCI 321 ---- ---- Social Inequality ---- ---- 3
Select one of the following: ---- ---- 3
- COM 421 ---- ---- Technical Communication ---- ---- 3
- COM 428 ---- ---- Verbal Visual Communications ---- ---- 3
- COM 435 ---- ---- Intercultural Communication ---- ---- 3
Behavioral Health and Wellness Electives ---- ---- (30)
Complete an area of specialization (15 credit hours), three credit hours from each of the remaining specializations, and nine credit hours of Behavioral Health & Wellness electives1,2 ---- ---- 30
Mathematics Requirements ---- ---- (7)
- PSYC 203 ---- ---- Undergrad Stats Bhvrl Sci ---- ---- 4
Mathematics Elective3 ---- ---- 3
Capstone Project ---- ---- (3)
Select three credit hours ---- ---- 3
Computer Science Requirement ---- ---- (2)
- CS 105 Intro to Computer Programming ---- ---- 2
or
- CS 110 Computing Principles ---- ----
Natural Sciences Requirements ---- ---- (10-11)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D ---- ---- 10-11
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) ---- ---- (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E ---- ---- 6
Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements ---- ---- (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C ---- ---- 21
Free Electives ---- ---- (15-18)
Select 15-18 credit hours2 ---- ---- 15-18
Minimum degree credits required: ---- ---- 126
1 Specialization in Health Psychology, Public Health, or Nutrition requires 15 credit hours in the area of specialization and at least three credit hours from each of the other two specializations. The remaining nine credit hours may be taken from any of the three specializations or from the list of other Behavioral Health and Wellness electives. Please see the Specializations tab on this page.
2 A maximum of three credit hours of PSYC 497 can be earned in any given semester. A maximum of six credit hours of PSYC 497 can be applied as behavioral health and wellness electives. Additional PSYC 497 credit hours may be applied as free electives.
3 At the level of MATH 122 or above.
Program Outcome
Students completing the behavioral health and wellness degree will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles of designing and implementing behavior change programs for a variety of health-related behaviors; cultural and community-specific tailoring of behavioral health interventions; and fundamentals of public health policy analysis and advocacy.
- Effectively communicate health-promotion information to both professional and lay audiences.
- Gather and analyze information regarding individual and community health needs, and use this information to guide program development.
Career Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in health education and health promotion will grow by 11 percent over the next decade alone. After graduation, you can enter a wide range of health/wellness professions, including:
- Patient Education
- Behavioral health coaching
- Assisting psychologists and other health professionals with direct patient care
- Policy analysis
- Advocacy
You will also be prepared to continue on to graduate school in a number of fields.