Department of Health & Human Performance

If you want to help people be at their best, whether that's through exercise, wellness or by influencing policy, you've come to the right place.

At the heart of the School of Health Sciences lies the Department of Health and Human Performance. Here, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and promoting well-being through the exploration of human movement, physical activity, and public health. Our department is committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment, conducting cutting-edge research, and preparing our students for meaningful careers in the field of health and human performance. 

Health and Human Performance

Explore Our Academic Programs

If you are planning a career in fitness, healthcare management, medicine, allied health, or public health we have a degree program for you.
  • Exercise Science

    Inspire others to live a healthier lifestyle. Learn about human movement, the physiology of exercise, nutrition and more. After graduation, apply your skills in the workplace or prepare for an advanced degree in healthcare.

    As an exercise science major at the College, you'll study subjects like anatomy and physiology, math, fitness assessment and prescription, psychology, exercise nutrition, scientific writing and more. Also, you'll connect with faculty who lead study abroad programs, can oversee your independent study or work with you on a research project. The program also touts a 2,500 square foot human-performance lab with state-of-the-art equipment and ample opportunities for hands-on learning. This major provides a strong health science foundation upon which graduates can build careers in health, wellness, fitness, allied health, medicine and healthcare.

  • Public Health

    Public health is a rapidly growing field. You'll develop critical skills and knowledge through coursework, real-world internships and hands-on research.

    We offer both a BA and BS in public health. Both are interdisciplinary programs that will provide you with a broad understanding of the many factors impacting population health. With two concentration, the BA program allows students to investigate health communication, international studies, history, political economy, gender studies, health policy and medical humanities, while specializing in either global health or maternal and child health. The BS in public health is recommended for students interested in gaining a strong science background. With our ties to public health organizations, you'll have the opportunity to conduct research and independent study. Also, you will find internship opportunities that include advocacy, program implementation and hands-on fieldwork.

  • Health Services Administration and Management

    Beginning Fall 2024, the Health Services Administration and Management (HSAM) program will prepare students to plan and manage health care operations including key tasks related to budget, hiring, scheduling, record keeping, compliance, policy and procedure implementation, and strategic planning.

    Healthcare organizations, and the services they provide, are vital to the well-being of individuals and communities. Through this program, students will study both healthcare and business principles, gaining the ability to make data-drive solutions to deliver efficient and high-quality healthcare services. Students will also learn the skills needed to evaluate systems through data analysis and develop policies geared toward creating better healthcare organizations.

    The HSAM program serves to prepare students for graduate level degree programs in Health Care Administration and employment as medical and health services managers. This program will also provide experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and independent studies, allowing students to seek applied learning opportunities and build community networks.

  • Health Informatics (Minor)

    The emerging field of health informatics is growing in relevance and influence as technologies continue to improve. The Health Informatics minor focuses on concepts and issues surrounding technology and information management in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.

    With this minor, students learn how to understand medical terminology, apply codes for diagnoses and provider procedures, and work with electronic health records, including hands-on experience in using health information management systems.

    Health informatics careers combine concepts and practices from healthcare, computer science, and information science. Students pursuing majors in health sciences, biomedical sciences, nursing, biology, psychology, interdisciplinary studies, and health services administration may choose this minor to enhance their current undergraduate program. They can also pursue careers in higher education and applied research.