College of Education and Human Development

School of Kinesiology

Bachelor of science

Physical activity and health promotion

The physical activity and health promotion (PAHP) major is ideal for those interested in learning how to increase physical activity, create healthy lifestyles, and improve the health of others. This program is an applied major, with a large focus on working with individuals, families, and communities.

The need for health promotion professionals is higher than ever, as many public health issues relate to physical activity and health. This growing field has a variety of career options, including in health facilities, government and policy, corporate workplaces, schools, and more.

This major allows students to evaluate scientific findings on physical activity and health, and apply this information to change individual and community behavior. Areas of study include:

  • Health and wellness: Understand how physical, emotional, environmental, and social factors influence our health
  • Health promotion: Learn how to promote healthy lifestyles to prevent diseases
  • Research methods: Understand how to interpret, evaluate, and critique research 
  • Nutrition: Learn how nutrition plays a role in health, exercise, and athletic training
  • Human anatomy: Gain in-depth knowledge of the body’s structure, and learn how different systems work together to make the body move
  • Human physiology: Understand how different organs and systems in the body function
  • Sport sociology: Grasp how various communities impact, and are impacted by, sport participation

Curriculum and coursework

The courses in the physical activity and health promotion BS program are divided into three general areas: Core courses, focus electives, and physical activity courses.

Sample plan

View a sample plan to get a better picture of what your course schedule could look like. 

22

students in a lab section course on average

15

research centers in the School of Kinesiology

Student experiences and support

Inside the classroom

Within their coursework, students learn in a variety of ways. Class discussions and group work are common in the physical activity and health promotion major. Modern technology is also used to support hands-on experiences, some examples include virtual reality labs and using technology to measure oxygen use during exercise.

Students are taught by world-renowned faculty who are committed to student success. Our faculty's expertise is diverse and will expose students to a variety of areas in the field.

Outside the classroom

Hands-on experiences are essential to support your long-term professional and educational goals. Students in the PAHP BS program are encouraged to explore opportunities to volunteer, work, and potentially earn academic credit through research supervised by a faculty member. 

Directed study gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work with faculty on physical activity and health-related research. To get a better sense of the various research areas and labs in the School of Kinesiology, visit our research page. Some projects students have done in the past include:

  • The application of yoga in the lives of African-American women
  • Evaluation of a non-competitive community-based youth sports program
  • Examining the efficacy of a remote tai chi intervention on older adults
  • Physical activity in stroke rehabilitation practice
  • Behavioral intervention feasibility in occupational therapy (teleABLE formative phase research)

Quote from Kennedy VanderLoop

“This major is great for anyone who wants a wide platform of educational opportunities to explore concepts of physiology, public health, psychology, and kinesiology." 

Questions? Contact us.