Do you have a strong interest in helping others attain their personal health, exercise or athletic goals? In UIU’s Exercise Science program we prepare students for a variety of career opportunities in the arena of physical activity, sport and health, as well as prepare students to pursue graduate studies.

Fitness, Recreation & Sports Management is the most flexible degree in the School of Kinesiology, Health & Recreation. It allows for 22 credit hours of electives and is the only degree in the School that requires a minor.

Preparing you to work in any fitness and health-related career. As a human performance and fitness major, you’ll be part of a growing program that will help you build a strong science foundation through courses such as anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology.

A degree in health and fitness studies will prepare you for careers in community recreation departments, health clubs, hospital wellness programs, corporate fitness centers, and school wellness programs. Students in this program also go on to become successful athletic coaches. Health and fitness studies majors must complete two internships where they observe, plan, and implement fitness or community recreation programs.

The program provides strong content knowledge, hands-on personal training experience as well as business, management and clinical rotations that will help you gain employment as a personal trainer, fitness professional, health or fitness manager and business owner. Four concentrations will prepare you for entry into the fitness and wellness industry or for graduate school in physical therapy, athletic training, chiropractor and other health professions. Allied health interested students are encouraged to work with both their fitness and wellness leadership advisor and with the pre-health advising program.

The major in Sports and Fitness Programs Management offers an interdisciplinary course of study in Physical Education and Business to prepare students for professional positions.

Students will be introduced to basic principles that assist and motivate them to reach their optimal fitness and wellness potential while leading others to an overall healthy lifestyle.

Successful fitness/wellness professionals practice good listening skills, understand strategies for behavior change, are physically fit, have excellent speaking skills, work well with people of all ages and stages of life, and apply knowledge of exercise science and biomechanics to design programs for clients with a variety of needs and abilities.

When you major in Health and Fitness Education at SPU, you build a strong foundation in the application and pedagogy of human movement science. You are prepared for leadership positions in a variety of fields in which you can promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages.

Impact future generations by maximizing health and wellness in diverse communities through integrative approaches in fitness and lifestyle, community health education, public health, and administration.Professional development coursework builds career skills and prepares students for hands-on experiences such as a career field experience, and local or international health-related community projects.Curriculum combines skill-based health studies with a strong background in the psychological, sociological, behavioral, and business aspects of health careCoursework helps prepare students for certifications such as the Certified Health Education Specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

The Department of Health & Physical Education provides a challenging program which will provide students with the academic knowledge and technical skills that will prepare them for a variety of career paths in the rapidly growing fields of health, fitness, wellness, and human performance.

The discipline of Kinesiology explores the art and science of human movement. In the Kinesiology program, students develop an appreciation of the human body and its tremendous potential, as well as an understanding of the relationship between positive lifestyle choices and long-term improvements in health and well-being.