Health and Fitness Management, BS

The Health and Fitness Management major provides students with a solid foundation concerning the management and clinical sides of preventative health care. Students will be prepared for entry and mid-level management positions in organizations providing health and fitness services, such as within:

• Commercial Fitness Centers,
• YMCA,
• Corporate Fitness/Wellness Centers,
• University Wellness/Adult Fitness Centers,
• Hospitals/Clinics with specialties in Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehabilitation,
• Municipal/City Recreation/Family Centers,
• Activity Centers for Older Adults,
• Community Centers and
• Worksite Health Promotion Programs.

Graduates may also pursue employment as salespersons, administrators, and managers of all types of fitness/wellness facilities. Additional opportunities exist for those who aspire to become entrepreneurs in the field and pursue health and fitness coaching/consulting.

The main objectives of the degree program are to:

• provide content/discipline foundation for careers in health and fitness management within corporate wellness centers, hospital-based fitness facilities, traditional health clubs, resorts, and others;
• enhance students’ abilities to acquire and synthesize health and fitness information in a critical, scientific, and effective manner through detailed, intensive analysis and evaluation of texts and other research materials;
• provide students with relevant strategies of health promotion, illness/injury prevention, and illness/injury rehabilitation to maximize healthy outcomes of individuals, families and communities in a multicultural society;
• develop students’ critical thinking and research skills to levels of excellence expected of bachelor’s prepared health and fitness professionals;
• prepare students for national certification exams in the field of health and fitness; and
• enhance the preparation of students for graduate study (exercise physiology, exercise science, management, business administration, gerontology and other related fields).

The Health and Fitness Management major will include foundation courses such as anatomy and physiology I and II, survey of health and fitness professions, first aid and CPR, and introduction to management. This major will also provide students with a solid base in business and management principles by requiring courses in accounting, economics, marketing, finance, legal, ethical issues in health care, and applied human resource management. The program features courses specific to the health and fitness arena including:

• kinesiology,
• exercise physiology,
• sports psychology,
• personal health and wellness,
• prevention, care and rehabilitation of injuries,
• personal nutrition,
• principles of fitness across populations,
• substance use in fitness,
• exercise testing and prescription.

Finally, the program will involve capstone courses to ensure the students are able to synthesize all of their undergraduate coursework into meaningful application of their acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities. These courses include health and fitness management, a capstone course, and an internship.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify and portray ethical behaviors and values consistent with the profession especially as they relate to risk management and injury prevention.
2. Effectively communicate in writing and through oral presentations (clear, concise and coherent) on topics in health & fitness management.
3. Integrate and apply knowledge to analyze current industry issues and recommend solutions and/or strategies in organizational and human performance.

Program Requirements

Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting freshman with no prior college credit who intends to complete their degree in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review the course prerequisites and minimum grade requirements as seen in the Academic Catalog.