Health Promotion and Fitness Major
This program prepares you to work in fields related to health and fitness, exercise science, nutrition, and lifestyle management and or to continue to a graduate program of study. You will work in a hands-on environment as a sophomore through a 75-hour practicum experience followed by a minimum of 300 practical hours as a senior in an internship setting.
Why Health Promotion and Fitness?
Students choose this major if they desire to work in public or community health, as a strength and conditioning coach at the high school or collegiate level, as an exercise specialist in a clinical setting, or as a group fitness leader/personal trainer in a corporate or commercial fitness center. Your faculty advisor will work with you to detemine the direction in this field that might be best for you.
Earn the Degree
The coursework prepares you to take fitness assessments, prescribe exercise programs commensurate with the client's needs and goals, educate people about basic nutritional concepts, gives you knowledge and practice in leading individuals with special conditions, diseases, and disorders, and the chance to learn about the organization and management of a fitness/wellness facility.
There are elective classes to prepare you for certification as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and group fitness instructor. Most students graduate with the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM CPT), and or the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Certification (NSCA CSCS), and or USAW Sport Performance Coach and or a group of fitness certification (usually from AFAA or NETA).
Certifications
Certification exams are offered by nationally approved organizations such as:
- American College of Sport Medicine
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- American Council on Exercise
- Aerobic and Fitness Association of America
- International Association of Fitness Professionals
Courses and Schedules
All Department of Health and Sport Sciences program requirements and courses are listed in the Otterbein College Undergraduate Catalog.
To see which courses are offered in upcoming quarters, view the Course Schedule site.
