The University of North Florida Brooks College of Health (BCH) proudly announces a new, fully online lifestyle management concentration within its four-year Bachelor of Health Care Management. The program, believed to be the first of its kind, is designed for working health and wellness professionals and has launched in Spring 2026.

The concentration offers high-quality business management education tailored to the growing health and wellness industry, including professionals in dance, yoga and fitness instruction. Students will gain leadership and management skills needed to advance their careers. Through its flexible online format, students will be able to continue working full time while earning their degree from anywhere in the country.

The concentration was developed through a collaboration between BCH faculty and Arthur Murray International (AMI). The partnership was celebrated at an event earlier this semester featuring UNF President Moez Limayem, BCH Dean Mei Zhao and AMI CEO Gary Edwards.

For AMI, the new program will help create a consistent pipeline of well-trained, motivated instructors and managers ready to step into leadership roles at AMI studios worldwide. AMI will offer scholarships for studio managers and franchise owners to pursue the new degree concentration.

"The idea is to bring a new concept to UNF, and to the world, to take people who are professionals in a vocation and make it a career path," said Dr. Shyam Paryani, Director of the Lifestyle Management Program. "Lifestyle management is a great opportunity for people who want to build long-term, successful careers in dance or other wellness fields."

The online concentration combines business management education with wellness-focused leadership training, preparing students to become effective managers, entrepreneurs and health industry innovators. Courses will focus on the intersection of health, business and lifestyle.

"This isn't just about dance," said Dr. Rob Haley, chair of the Department of Health Administration. "This is about lifestyle. This is about healthy living. This is about business acumen. We're incredibly excited about this partnership and deeply grateful to the faculty who made it possible. At UNF, transformation is one of our core values. Arthur Murray shares the same value of transformation, using dance to build confidence, wellness and community."

The collaboration will help franchise owners and studio teams attract and retain ambitious dance professionals by providing a clear, accredited career path that fosters loyalty, growth and entrepreneurship.

"This partnership is historic for the dance world," said Edwards. "In our business, we needed the University, the health and wellness connection and the business expertise to make this possible. There are going to be so many young people who will benefit from this partnership."

For more information, visit the Bachelor of Healthcare Management Lifestyle Management Concentration webpage.