For Students

Clubs and Organizations

Are you passionate about certain health topics? PAWS (Peers Advocating Wellness Strategies) could be the perfect outlet for you. If you find the promotion part of the HWP major interesting, getting involved with PAWS events will give you a health promotion experience in your campus community.

Event topics have included, though are not limited to:

• Stress Reduction
• Healthy Eating
• Alcohol Safety
• Pharmaceutical Drug Safety
• Sexual Health
• Body Image

PAWS is a growing Student Organization and is always open for new programming ideas and topics to cover!

Being an active member of PAWS will allow students to develop and enhance skills in such things as: program planning, management, accounting, communication, collaboration. Additionally, PAWS members also have the opportunity to serve on the advisory board of UNC Asheville's Health and Counseling Center.

If interested please contact the PAWS Faculty Advisor, Linda Pyeritz at lroper@unca.edu or, talk to one of your Health and Wellness advisors

Scholarships

In April of 2005, Stephen B. and Barbara K. Lehrer established the Lehrer Family Scholarship for Health and Wellness Promotion majors. Recipients must be full-time students majoring in Health and Wellness Promotion and residents of North Carolina. At least one student receives an award of $1,000 for the upcoming academic year. Additional scholarships of equal or lesser amounts may be awarded dependent upon the available funds. Awards are based on need and merit. The application process begins at the start of the spring semester with recipients notified before the close of the semester.

Internships and Jobs

An internship is a structured educational experience, which incorporates productive work experience as a part of a college student’s curriculum. An internship is a partnership between the student, community site organization and the University of North Carolina- Asheville. Through this experience, students are provided opportunities to enhance their academic knowledge and improve their basic skills, test career choices, develop professional competence, and witness classroom theories and principles being applied in real world situations. In addition, a supervised internship provides the opportunity to log required clinical hours when applying to medical and allied health graduate programs.

Through an internship, students’ learn more about a particular field and gain real world, hands-on experience. In return, the community site organization benefits by having a bright, creative, and enthusiastic intern make a meaningful contribution to the organization.

Currently, there are two internship classes offered through the Health and Wellness Department: HWP 380 (required for all HWP majors; elective for Pre-health majors) and HWP 480 Advanced Internship (major elective and general elective).

HWP 380 Internship in Health and Wellness Promotion (3)

Students are placed in a supervised health and wellness promotion program that relates to their career goals and learning objectives. Requirements may include readings, a major project, biweekly seminars and final presentation. Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours during this class. Prerequisites: HWP 190 or permission of instructor. Spring, Fall and Summer.

HWP 480 Advanced Internship in Health and Wellness Promotion (3)

Students are placed in an organization and provided with professional supervision for advanced skill development. Requirements may include progress reports; a major project that includes research or project management and demonstrated leadership skills; a culminating report; and a final presentation. Students who qualify for this advanced internship placement do so on the basis of academic standing, career choice, and personal interview. Students must complete a minimum of 90 hours during this class. Prerequisites: HWP 380 or permission of instructor. Spring and Summer. 

Types of Internships

Clinical/Rehabilitation Services

For those students preparing for a graduate program in a variety of traditional health occupations such as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry, registered dietician, pharmacy, physician assistant, nursing as well as health occupations such as naturopathy, acupuncture/TCM, chiropractor, etc. Sites include hospitals, in-patient and out-patient clinics, and community-based free clinics.

Fitness

For those students who wish to intern at a community or corporate site offering fitness-related experiences. These experiences may include conducting fitness assessments, coordinating incentive events, providing personal training, teaching fitness classes, etc. Sites include: local club industry, YMCA, YWCA, after school fitness programs, and for-profit personal training companies.

Health Promotion / Public Health

For those students interested in providing health education or wellness coaching to a specific population or on a specific topic in health and wellness including corporate wellness and college health programs, among others. Sites include: health departments, spas, local for profit and nonprofit businesses and hospitals/clinics.

Non-Profit

For those students interested in working with and learning from interning in a non-profit organization. Examples of activities include: fund-raising, program/event planning, marketing, advocacy and policy development and other duties related to the non-profit organization’s mission. Sites include: QuestionWhy; YES; ChildrenFirst; YMCA; YWCA; ASAP; FEAST; WNCAP; and others.

For Students:

Internship Procedures:

It is required to: 1) attend the Internship Celebration the semester BEFORE you are going to Intern; 2) attend the Mandatory Internship Meeting the semester BEFORE you will be interning and 3) contact Dr. Kathie Garbe at least one semester BEFORE you are interested in signing up for your internship.

Be prepared: 1) update your resume’ and bring one copy to your meeting with Dr. Garbe; 2) put thought into what field you may want to pursue a career or what field(s) you are interested in investigating through your internship and 3)pick up the Internship Manual one semester before you will be interning.

Internship sites are becoming increasingly more competitive in the Asheville area. It is strongly recommended to begin exploring where you would like to intern a few semesters before you are signing up for the course. Attend several Internship Celebrations, talk with current and former interns, and contact Dr. Garbe.

Sites: There are over 100 sites in many different areas. Students are matched with organizations based upon: 1) career interests; 2) match with student and Site Supervisor; etc.

For Potential Internship Sites:

The basic requirements to become an Internship Site for UNC Asheville Health and Wellness Promotion students include:

1. Your willingness and ability to support the academic nature of this course by providing the student supervised, learning experiences that align with the mission of your organization.
2. Your willingness and ability to select a Site Supervisor who will take responsibility for assisting the student with her/his learning (signing and supporting the Learning Contract); complete midpoint and final evaluations of the student; and supporting the student in completing a leadership project. This project can and should assist the organization in achieving its goals but also allows the student to take a major role in the development and implementation of this project. Examples vary greatly by Internship Site and by the specific needs of the student. Projects must be approved by both the Site Supervisor and Dr. Garbe.
3. Application (for new Intern Sites only)