From classrooms to communities, Rowan University’s M.A. in Wellness and Lifestyle Management seeks not just to train graduate students but to transform their lives and lifestyles. 

Launched in 2011, Rowan’s Master of Arts in Wellness and Lifestyle Management addresses the increasing need for professionals trained to improve wellness, covering various areas such as physical fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, and social connection. The program blends theories and practical application, preparing students for meaningful lifestyle changes for individuals and communities. 

“Most health problems today stem from lifestyle habits, not just genetics or disease. Our goal is to train professionals who can guide people towards healthier habits across all aspects of their lives. This includes exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connections,” said Dr. Leslie Spencer, professor of health and exercise science and founder of the M.A. in Wellness and Lifestyle Management at Rowan. 

Structured in eight-week courses, the program allows working professionals already in their respective fields to balance their studies, careers, or personal commitments. The program also equips students with practical skills in wellness coaching, behavioral change, and health promotion. Students can earn a Certificate of Graduate Study (CUGS) in Wellness Coaching, adding specialized training that enhances the master’s degree. Graduates apply their knowledge through a capstone project or practicum, gaining hands-on experience in schools, workplaces, healthcare, and community programs. 

“We want to prepare students not just with theory, but with practical tools they can immediately apply to improve wellness in real-world settings,” said Dr. Spencer. The hands-on approach is exactly what graduates are already putting everything they have learned into their careers. 

Graduates like Brandi Dockett, a Rowan alumna and recent graduate of the program, are taking all the knowledge they’ve acquired and utilizing it within their respective fields. For Dockett, she’s taking those same principles and applying those skills within her role as a program development assistant for a proposed holistic Wellness Village, the university is aiming to create on its West Campus.

“What I loved most about the program was being able to take what we learned in class and apply it to real-world settings,” said Dockett. 

She shared that the project is currently in the early development stage and requires a lot of research into the development of different wellness programs. It’s in these meetings with university officials where Dockett’s skills and expertise in wellness and lifestyle have proven to be a valuable asset. She’s helping shape those initiatives that are also embedded into other areas of Rowan’s community, such as Rowan Thrive. 

“It’s rewarding to take what we’ve learned in class and see it make a real impact. Projects like the Wellness Village give students hands-on experience to create programs that truly support community health,” said Dr. Spencer.

Rowan’s M.A. in Wellness and Lifestyle Management is shaping graduates to make a real impact, turning classrooms into programs that improve health and well-being across campus and the wider community. 

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