The University of Wisconsin Health and Wellness Management Program will be offering a free online course in workplace wellness evaluation starting next month.

In collaboration with renowned wellness expert, Dr. David Chenoweth, the university is offering the course Dynamics of Worksite Wellness Evaluation and ROI (return on investment) for free. The four-session course is the first massive open online course (MOOC) ever to be offered on the subject of worksite wellness return on investment.

The course will provide participants with the tools and strategies they need to evaluate worksite wellness programs large or small, calculate ROI, "and prove the value of any program to organization leaders," school officials said.

In each of the four weekly sessions, participants will view instructional videos and engage in readings, activities, and online discussion boards to gain a deeper understanding of how to measure, evaluate, and improve the effectiveness of worksite wellness programs.

School officials believe worksite wellness programs have the potential to improve employee health, increase productivity, and lift morale while reducing healthcare costs for employers and employees alike. But proving the value of these programs requires ongoing, comprehensive evaluation. The course offers the chance to learn effective strategies and interact with others doing similar work in a convenient, online format and at no cost.

"Evaluation does not have to be intimidating, complex, or costly," said Theresa Islo, program manager for the UW Health and Wellness Management program. "As this MOOC will demonstrate, you can start small now and build over time."

Chenoweth, who has more than 30 years of experience in worksite health management, believes the online course "has something for everyone."

"Whether you are working in a small, medium, or large company, simply exploring worksite wellness, or are a seasoned veteran in terms of applying a lot of these evaluations at your worksite," he said.

The wellness course, Dynamics of Worksite Wellness Evaluation and ROI, will officially start on Oct. 20.