Why Choose Fitness & Wellness at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ?
This emphasis is for people who want to help others get healthy and stay that way. It prepares you for the fast-growing world of fitness and wellness, from personal training and group exercise to strength and conditioning, nutrition, and wellness coaching. You learn how the body works and how to design safe, effective programs that move real clients toward real goals.
It is a hands-on, career-ready degree with no teaching licensure required. You build a science foundation in anatomy, kinesiology, and exercise physiology, then layer on the practical skills the industry rewards: leading group exercise, prescribing and testing exercise, preventing and caring for injuries, and understanding the psychology that keeps people motivated. You leave ready to step directly into the health and fitness field.
What You’ll Learn
In this program, you will learn:
- A foundation in health and human performance, including its history and philosophy
- A command of kinesiology and the analysis of human motion and motor skills
- A grasp of exercise physiology, including cardiorespiratory function and fitness testing
- Knowledge of human anatomy and the systems that drive exercise and performance
- Skill in tests and measurements for assessing fitness and performance
- An understanding of personal health and self-responsibility for wellness
- A foundation in nutrition and its role in health, growth, and exercise
- The ability to prevent, care for, and support rehabilitation of athletic injuries
- Group exercise leadership, including class organization, choreography, and safety
- Strength and conditioning techniques based on NSCA and ACSM guidelines
- Skill in exercise prescription, assessment, and testing across populations
- Insight into the psychology of sport and exercise and what keeps people motivated
What You’ll Learn
The Common Fitness & Wellness Core
Every student in the major completes these foundational courses:
HHP 211, Intro to Health and Human Performance
HHP 321, Kinesiology
HHP 322, Physiology of Exercise
PED 320, Human Anatomy
PED 331, Tests and Measurements in Physical Education
PED 413, Organization and Administration of Health & Physical Education
The Fitness & Wellness Promotion Emphasis
These courses build the wellness and fitness focus:
HEA 201, Personal Health
HEA 211, Nutrition
HEA 330, Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
HHP 425, Psychology of Sport and Exercise
EXS 225, Group Exercise
EXS 347, Techniques of Strength and Conditioning
EXS 372, Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Therapeutic Interventions
EXS 415, Exercise Prescription, Assessment and Testing
Career Possibilities
Personal Trainer
Works one-on-one with clients to set fitness goals and guide safe, effective exercise programs.
Group Fitness Instructor
Leads group exercise classes, motivating participants while ensuring proper technique and safety.
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Designs and leads training programs that build strength, speed, endurance, and injury resistance.
Wellness Coordinator
Develops and manages health and wellness programming for an organization, school, or community.
Health Coach
Guides clients toward healthier habits in areas such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle.
Corporate Wellness Specialist
Builds and runs workplace wellness programs that support employee health and engagement.
Fitness Center Manager
Oversees the operations, staff, and programming of a gym, studio, or fitness facility.
Community Recreation Coordinator
Plans and leads fitness and recreation programs for a community or organization.
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