Students may choose from two concentrations offered in the Major in Health and Exercise Science: Health Promotion or Sports Medicine.
Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate:
- Practical knowledge and skill development gained from laboratory assessments, capstone experiences, community engagement, research, practicums, and internships.
- Ability to integrate, apply, and effectively communicate health and exercise science disciplinary knowledge through written assignments, program development, community involvement, and oral presentations.
- The ability to develop professional and influential leadership skills based on a strong ethical foundation and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Skills and knowledge required to successfully compete for employment within the discipline or compete for graduate or professional school placement
Potential Occupations
The United States and other developed countries are struggling with an aging and increasingly unhealthy population. Understanding the role of physical activity in preventing and treating disease and disability, and maintaining optimal health at any age is critical. There is high demand for graduates trained in the foundations of human movement such as anatomy, physiology, public health, exercise prescription, and health behavior change AND the ability to apply this knowledge to enhance the health, well-being, and functional performance of humans at every age.
We take pride in training students in Health and Exercise Science to be strong critical thinkers who can express themselves clearly in written and oral form, view the world from multiple perspectives, and are models of professional behavior and citizenship: qualities that will serve them well in any career they choose to pursue.
Graduates who choose the Health Promotion concentration also acquire theoretical and hands-on training that makes them competitive for career opportunities in a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to: corporate fitness/wellness, community health/wellness, public health, health behavior change, occupational or physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, group exercise/fitness instructors, and recreation directors.
In the Sports Medicine concentration, graduates acquire additional scientific training in biomechanics, neurophysiology, and human nutrition as well as an opportunity to use their capstone class for real-world experiences in laboratories, clinics, etc. This training provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in medicine, occupational therapy, chiropractic, physician assistant, physical therapy, and exercise science research.