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.  

2 pictures colorfully combined showing physical education teacher with kids with tiny barbells.  Group of children dancing under a colorful parachute.

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

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two separate pictures of physical education coaches with children

Coaching Concentration

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.

Take Courses Such As:

  • Advanced Coaching Methods for a variety of sports 
  • Sports First Aid and Injury Prevention
  • Physical Activity Courses
  • Practicum Field Experiences
  • Coaching Principles
  • 6 Open Credits' Take courses like:
    • Foundations of Leadership
    • Leadership and Group Dynamics
    • Psychology of Child Development
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two photos: one of physical education teachers with children outside.  The picture on right of teacher in canoe with children paddling.

Youth Activity Leadership Concentration

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.

Take Courses Such As:

  • Coaching Principles
  • Youth Fitness Development and Assessment
  • Teaching Games and Sports
  • Practicum Field Experiences
  • 75 Open Credits' Embed a certificate or minor in:
    • Coaching
    • Leadership Studies
    • Sports and Entertainment Marketing
    • Psychology
    • Public Health
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Additional Information

MONICA GERDA
Program Director

Senior Lecturer
Department of Health Promotion and
Physical Education

Phone: 470-578-4760

Email