Health and Physical Education Degree Program
Concentration in Fitness and Sports Management
Concentration in Secondary Education

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education provides a choice of two concentrations. The program provides both a scientific basis and practical experience for students seeking opportunities in the health fitness industry or secondary education. The goal of the core curriculum is to provide students with a broad scientific, theoretical, and practical foundation in health and physical education.

Career opportunities include positions as fitness director, wellness director, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, sports coach, or as a secondary education teacher in Health Education and Physical Education. In addition, all students will complete either an internship in a clinical or community health setting or a student teaching practicum.

Upon completion of this program students will be qualified to take the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification examination to become a personal trainer or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification examination to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist or personal trainer. Opportunities for additional certifications and endorsements such as the PACE certificate for  coaching in the state of Michigan, WSI (Water Safety Instructor), Lifeguard, and Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid Instructor are also available and strongly encouraged.

The Fitness and Sports Management Concentration degree provides students an entrance into a field that has a broad choice of career options. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health and fitness workers is expected to “increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014” due to the rapid growth in the fitness industry. Employment in the health fitness services is projected to increase 27% or more over the next ten years.  An increasing number of individuals are spending more time and money on fitness clubs, and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of health and fitness programs.  Furthermore, our aging population is getting more involved with health and fitness programs to stay healthy, physically fit, and independent.  This program will be an attractive choice for students and will provide employees and professionals for this growing employment sector. Fitness and Sports Management Concentration

The Secondary Education Concentration degree will specifically prepare students to become teachers and coaches in a secondary school system.  The concentration is consistent with the State of Michigan Program Standards.  Innovative integration of the curriculums of Health Education and Physical Education will better serve the future expectations of students to teach both subject areas in a public school setting. Nationally, job opportunities in Health and Physical Education – Secondary Education are good due to expected retirements.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for both teachers and athletic coaches are projected to increase 18 – 26% over the next ten years. Secondary Education Concentration

In addition to providing Michigan Tech students with new opportunities to pursue careers in the health and physical education field, the current proposal has societal implications.  The American Heart Association recently reported that over 136 million Americans are classified as overweight.  Even more disturbing is the fact that nearly 9.2 million children and adolescents are considered overweight or obese.  Our nation is in the midst of a health epidemic, and there is a growing need to have more individuals educated in the fields of health and physical education. Obesity is a primary risk factor for the development of both cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and has been linked to some cancers.  With health care costs rising exponentially, it is clear that new and innovative ways for fighting obesity are necessary.  This includes both education and research.