The Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences' internationally accreditied (International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association- IUSCA) Health and Exercise Science Program prepare students for the trends in the profession as established by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Club Industry, International Health, Racquet & Sports club Association, American College of Sports Medicine, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association, and National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Students will be prepared for working in the strength and conditioning, fitness professions, and pre-allied health profession by taking classes that are focused on the application of skills. The program will prepare students to pass national accredited personal training certifications that are typically required by health & fitness clubs for employment, along with preparing for exercise physiologists or strength & conditioning certifications through the ACSM, CSCCa, and NSCA. Recommendations by IHRSA, Club Industry, ACSM, CSCCs, NHSSCA, and NSCA influence course topic areas such as virtual/on-line training, strength training, high intensity interval training (HIIT), ability to coach/instruct (personal training and strength & conditioning coaching), weightlifting, and health & fitness benefits from exercise.
Specific classes offer students the opportunity to gain experience coaching/training, planning & programming, health behavior, and interning in careers they are interested in that include Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Fitness Center Administration, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant, or Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Students living in states bordering Arkansas receive in-state tuition.
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. The Arkansas Tech University school code to use on the FAFSA is 001089.
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Alumni of our program work at:
View the links below to better understand the courses, the course timeline, and who your faculty will be when you enroll as an ATU student.
Credentials that stack with this degree:
HPE/HES students complete their internships with outstanding final evaluations.
Find out how we will empower you to meet every challenge head-on.