• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

he B.S.P.H. in Fitness and Wellness focuses on the applied science of movement and research-based preparation of a health and fitness professional. Students from this program become qualified to seek certification through many National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). This undergraduate program provides the education and practice that students need to be competitive in health and fitness careers. The curriculum is based on guidelines and standards developed by the ACSM. The fitness and wellness curriculum delivers a scientific academic foundation in topics such as physiology, functional kinesiology, biomechanics, motor learning and epidemiology. This knowledge is combined with the latest research and training methods as well as a variety of community engagement experiences which promote active and healthy lifestyles that impact the health of the public at large.

The fitness and wellness program strives to provide students with numerous practical experiences in the areas of assessment, exercise prescription and leadership, program administration, posture and movement analysis, communication and coaching strategies, and program design for a variety of populations across the lifespan.

Degree Requirements

The four-year B.S.P.H. in Fitness and Wellness curriculum is designed to prepare students to work in the fitness/wellness industry or in public health organizations with a health and wellness focus. The core coursework is designed to follow the behavioral objectives of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) certification. Students are encouraged to also sit for other health-related certifications, such as the ACSM/National Physical Activity Society (NPAS) Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS) certification. Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of fitness and wellness major requirements.
• a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours that count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• No pass/fail except for free electives.

General Education (20–39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington General Education Common Ground Requirements.

Major (75–77 cr.)

Public Health Core (15 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each course.
A minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for the Public Health Core and Fitness and Wellness Courses.
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-B 366 Community Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.) 
• SPH-P 309 Public Health Administration (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 381 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 241 Foundations of Environmental Health (3 cr.) +N&M

Fitness and Wellness Courses (31 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each course.
A minimum combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for the Public Health Core and Fitness and Wellness Courses.
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-K 212 Intro to Exercise Science (3 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-K 216 Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health (3 cr.) 
• SPH-K 319 Physical Activity/Exercise Leadership (3 cr.) (P: SPH-K 205 or -or- ANAT-A 225 -and- SPH-K 216)
• SPH-K 327 Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Exercise (3 cr.) 
• SPH-K 395 Fitness Specialist Practicum (2 cr.) (P: SPH-K 319)
• SPH-K 416 Physical Activity/Fitness Administration (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 417 Physical Activity and Disease (3 cr.) (P: SPH-K 409)
• SPH-K 419 Fitness Testing and Interpretation (3 cr.) (P: SPH-K 205 -or- ANAT-A 225 -and- SPH-K 212 -and- SPH-K 216 and junior or senior Standing)
• SPH-K 486 Field Experience in Fitness and Wellness (5 cr.) (P: Fitness & Wellness major only -and- department consent)
• SPH-V 235 Introduction to Public Health Biology (3 cr.) +N&M

Additional Required Courses (29–31 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• PHSL-P 225 Human Physiology (5 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-I 119 Personal Fitness and Wellness (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 200 Computer Technology in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.) +N&M -or- ANAT-A 225 Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-K 280 Basic Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries (2 cr.)
• SPH-K 301 Professional and Career Preparation (1 cr.)
• SPH-K 305 Mechanical Basis of Human Movement (3 cr.) (P: SPH-K 205 -or- ANAT-A 225) 
• SPH-K 409 Basic Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.): (P: ANAT-A 225 -or- SPH-K 205 -and- PHSL-P 225)
• SPH-K 452 Motor Learning (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.) -or- SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) (R: CHEM-C 101 -or- equivalent -and- a course in Biology) +N&M

+ Courses followed by an N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

 Suggested Courses for the First-Year Fitness & Wellness Student
First Semester (15 cr.)

• ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I (3 cr.)
• SPH-I 119 Personal Fitness and Wellness (3 cr.)
• IUB General Education Math Modeling (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 212 Intro to Exercise Science (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Second Semester (15-17 cr.)

• SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.) +N&M -or- ANAT-A 225 Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-K 216 Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health (3 cr.) 
• IUB General Education S&H (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.) -or- SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) (R: CHEM-C 101 -or- equivalent -and- a course in Biology) +N&M
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

The Fitness and Wellness program fulfills the educational requirements established by the Committee on Certification and Registry Boards. This means that the current curriculum covers the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of an ACSM Exercise Physiologist. This certification is only available to individuals with a four-year degree in an allied health field.
 
In addition, students must complete a 5-credit professional field experience and a 50-hour practicum during their matriculation. Students are given numerous opportunities to demonstrate their skills by working at various on- and off-campus sites.
 
All students are encouraged to take the ACE, NSCA, NASM, or ACSM personal training certification exam during their junior year. Many students are actively involved both on campus and in the community as fitness consultants, instructors, and personal trainers, gaining invaluable experience working directly with individuals.

Careers

Exciting, rewarding, and challenging careers in the health/fitness industry include:

• community wellness program director
• post-rehabilitation specialist
• worksite fitness/wellness center director
• health coach
• private and commercial health clubs as director, general manager, owner, or consultant