Health & Exercise Science

Joel Perkins, Chair

The Health & Exercise Science program’s function is to prepare professionals for careers in a clinical setting, health promotion, fitness management, human performance, sport and recreation management, and physical education/health teacher education. Selected health and exercise science courses are open to all SOU students. 

Graduate Program

Graduate degree programs with health and exercise science as major components are available (see Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies). The program may be tailored to meet the goals of students who wish to combine studies in health and exercise science with other academic areas. Such a program does not necessarily lead to licensing or certification.

Professional Affiliations

Faculty in the Department of Health & Exercise Science maintain professional memberships and actively participate in the following organizations: The Society of Health and Physical Education(SHAPE); National Athletic Trainers Association; The American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM); The National Strength and Conditioning Association; National Council on Strength and Fitness(NCSF); American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the SOU athletic programs are governed by the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Student Expenses and Insurance

Southern Oregon University does not provide accident insurance. Students and others using the health, exercise science, physical education, and athletic facilities for classes, intramurals, club sports, and recreation are urged to purchase a policy at the time of registration if they do not have their own insurance coverage. Special fees vary by term and class.

Teacher Licensing

Health Education and Physical Education

SOU students who would like a license to teach health and/or PE at the K-12 grade level in Oregon public schools must complete a bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Health and Physical Education Teacher Education before applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU. Interested students should consult the department chair for an appropriate advisor and the School of Education regarding admission requirements for the MAT program.

Program Requirements

Programs

Major

• •  Health and Exercise Science, BA or BS

Certificates

• •  Certificate in Sport and Recreation Management

Minor

• •  Health Promotion Minor
• •  Minor in Health and Physical Education Teacher Education

Other Programs

• •  Clinical Exercise Science Concentration (for pre-professionals; e.g., physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, etc.) (81 credits minimum)

Courses

Physical Education

• •  PE 510 - Special Topics
• •  PE 512 - Evaluation for Health and Physical Education
• •  PE 530 - Outdoor Survival
• •  PE 539 - Motor Development and Learning
• •  PE 544 - Programs for Special Populations
• •  PE 548 - Leadership and Management
• •  PE 570 - Environmental Physiology
• •  PE 573 - Physiology of Exercise
• •  PE 576 - Exercise Prescription and Graded Exercise Testing
• •  PE 576L - Exercise Prescription and Graded Exercise Testing
• •  PE 579 - Nutrition for Training and Performance