B.S. in Health & Physical Activity Degree Concentrations
The B.S. in Health & Physical Activity Leadership includes three distinct options for pursuing a degree in health and physical activity related fields. The Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Concentration is designed to prepare health and physical education teachers across all grade levels (pre-kindergarten through grade 12). The Coaching concentration prepares graduates for positions in school and community sport programs as coaches and Athletic Directors. The Youth Activity Leadership concentration is designed to prepare graduates for leadership positions in community settings such as Recreation Departments, Boy and Girls Clubs, YMCA, faith-based activity programs, camps, and more.
Health and Physical Education Teacher Preparation Concentration
The teacher certification concentration is designed to prepare health and physical
education teachers across all grade levels (pre-kindergarten through grade 12).
PRIMARY DUTIES: The Health and Physical Education teacher job is one of the most often-encountered
careers for health and physical education majors. They usually work in elementary,
middle, high, and college, teaching students various physical games and skills, instructing
them regarding the use of the equipment, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Aside
from a health and physical education degree, HPE teachers also need a teaching certificate
which requires courses in child development, pedagogy, and other educational topics.
Also, likely to include opportunities to coach.
Take Courses Such As:
Adventure Education and Facilitation
Skills-Based Approach in Health Education
Adapted Physical Education
Fundamentals of Teaching Health and Physical Education
Curriculum, Instruction, and Management for Early Childhood, Middle, and Secondary
Health and Physical Education
This course prepares graduates for positions in school and community sports programs
as coaches and Athletic Directors.
PRIMARY DUTIES:Due to the popularity of sports in our society, the need for competent and ethical
coaches is increasing. According to the US Department of Labor, the job market is
projected to grow 26% through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Annually, there are approximately 45,000 openings for coaches and scouts.
Although public schools are currently the largest employers of sports coaches, an
emerging growth area has been the privatization of sports that has occurred over the
last 20 years. Young athletes can now access the sport(s) of their choice through
private enterprise and programming outside of the more traditional environment. Organized
youth sports are highly popular among youth and their families, with approximately
45 million children and adolescent participants in the United States. Seventy-five
percent of American families with school-aged children have at least one child participating
in organized sports.
This course prepares graduates for leadership positions in community settings such
as Recreation Departments, Boy and Girls Clubs, YMCA, faith-based activity programs,
camps, and more.
PRIMARY DUTIES:This degree concentration is designed to assist students in gaining the competencies,
knowledge, and skills to help young people develop into healthy, competent, coping,
and contributing citizens. Completing this coursework prepares students to address
issues facing youth in the context of family and community, emphasizing positive outcomes
through a dynamic learning environment. This concentration prepares students for leadership
positions in youth development organizations, agencies, and institutions such as schools,
4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, recreation/community
agencies, military settings, land grant extension services/programs, and many others.
Graduates may be supervisors of youth development staff, including education and social
service work environments, faith-based advocates for youth wellbeing, program evaluators,
fundraisers and grant writers, administrators, and supervisors. The program partners
with youth-related agencies/organizations and engages them in learning and experiential
opportunities for students. While data is not exact due to the variations in career
opportunities, it is estimated that between 2018 and 2028, the careers focusing on
youth development are expected to grow by 18% across the United States.
