Hands-On Learning
In classes like Exercise Prescription you'll apply fundamental theories to your own fitness level as you fully learn about techniques that you'll soon be teaching.
Health and Human Kinetics Majors
Ohio Wesleyan offers three different Health and Human Kinetics majors to align with your interests and prepare you for careers in a growing field promoting individual and public health.
About the Majors
To become a health and human kinetics expert, it's essential that learning takes place in the field. The real-world application of knowledge that defines The OWU Connection is vital to preparing you for a flourishing HHK career. At OWU, you master the theories of your field when you apply them to your life and to the lives of others. Opportunities such as hands-on coursework, field experience, travel-learning, and internships are built into the curriculum, and they start from your very first semester.
Students in Health and Human Kinetics select from three options:
Exercise Science
With a strong foundation in science and a real-world focus, the Exercise Science major prepares you for immediate careers in a variety of fields related to exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sport medicine; graduate study; and direct entry to upper-level certifications in the rehabilitation and fitness industries. The Exercise Science major focuses on applied concepts of exercise and physical activity as it relates to healthy, injured, and high-risk populations.
It combines coursework in exercise prescription, anatomy, and physiology; lab and research opportunities; hands-on experience in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and exercise testing; and practical experiences with client interaction and community outreach initiatives to help you hone interpersonal and professional skills to evaluate client needs and integrate the information into rehabilitation or exercise programs.
Many students follow a pre-professional degree track that prepares them for graduate programs for health professions such as physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic, physicians assistant, nursing, or exercise physiology, biometrics, or kinesiology.
Sport Management & Coaching
Prepare for a successful career in sports management. In this major, you will take business-related courses that help you build the solid foundation of business knowledge needed to help sports organizations be successful in a multibillion dollar industry. You will acquire real-world, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you for the variety of environments you may find in your career. Every Sport Management & Coaching major completes at least one sports administration internship before graduating.
In completing a Sport Management & Coaching degree, you will develop the ability to work with a wide range of people who share a common passion for sports and exercise, becoming a vital part of a sports or exercise organization. The field provides unforgettable experiences, and it includes career opportunities across the country.
The increasing growth in the sports industry and exercise in the U.S. has sparked a demand for sports and exercise management professionals. In fact, sports-related businesses are ranked in the top 15 industries in the country. Career opportunities for graduates of sports management programs vary from working for local, private, chain, or nonprofit organizations to pursuing positions with professional sports teams.
Nutrition
As a nutrition major, we focus on the multifaceted relationship between food, nutrients, and human health. We explore areas such as nutritional demands and requirements, human physiology and metabolism, socio-cultural aspects of food and nutrition, and policy and food system influences on dietary health.
OWU's flexible and inderdisciplinary nutrition major prepares students to pursue careers in community health, health education, food justice and advocacy, food industry work, and related graduate programs in public health and dietetics. For more information or details contact Dr. Liz Nix directly at eanix@owu.edu.
Many students seek nutrition in order to pursue qualification in dietetics. If your goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (dietetics), we offer guidiance and access to the natural science courses and tailored electives that will prepare you for graduate work for this career track. In a recent change in the accredation program, all dietitians are now required to have a Master's degree. Through careful selection of electives, our program can prepare students to meet the standard recommendations for several well-known Master's in Dietetics programs, including The Ohio State University, Rutgers University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, among many others. For more information on dietetic certification and course advice HERE.
Nutrition also can be a valuable second major if you're planning advanced studies in fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant.
pOPULAR sECOND majors
About one-third of OWU students complete more than one major to expand their opportunities and follow their interests. For students majoring in Exercise Science, Psychology has been a popular second major. Students in Sports and Exercise Management frequently choose to also major in Business Administration or Management Economics.
Popular minors for HHK Students
Other HHK Minors
Think Big
Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection. A Theory-to-Practice Grant could fund your original research, internship, or creative project throughout the world.
Students in all HHK majors often work with faculty members and OWU coaches on research projects that they present at the Spring Student Symposium and sometimes publish in professional journals.
Go Global
From your first year on campus, you can get off campus with Travel-Learning Courses, a key part of The OWU Connection. Journey to a distant land and immerse yourself in another culture. Learn how classroom theory truly connects with real-world experience. You can also study abroad for a full semester or apply for OWU Connection grants to conduct projects all over the world.
The most recent Travel-Learning Courses in HHK have taken students to Italy for studies of obesity, food philosophies, and traditions.
Food in Italy
OWU professors Fink and Nix and their students during a TLC experience in Italy.
Get Real
Every HHK major completes a 120-hour internship during their junior or senior year. Internship opportunities help synthesize learning outcomes; build networking contacts; hone analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Internship opportunities exist in various areas under the umbrella of Health and Human Kinetics, focusing on areas of interest to each student. Students frequently complete internships with health and exercise centers, professional sports teams, community agencies, and businesses. Students also gain experience with Fit OWU, Special Olympics, and OWU's Early Childhood Center.
Columbus Clippers Intern
Will Cousino '19 interned with the promotions team for the Columbus Clippers for 9 months.
Do Good
Students across OWU care deeply about making the world a better place. Through the OWU Connection, students participate in community service projects in central Ohio and around the world. Spring break service teams take on projects across the country, and other groups and individuals use OWU Connection Grants to connect their classroom learning with hands-on service.
OWU's Health & Human Kinetics Department operates the Cooking Matters program, where students learn about preparing nutritious meals on a budget, and then teach classes on the topic in the community.
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Highlights
Fitness Focus
The Health & Human Kinetics Department is in the same building as Edwards Gymnasium and the Simpson Querrey Fitness Center. The connected buildings also include a dance studio and athletic offices.
Internships
As a junior or senior you will complete a 120-hour internship in your chosen area of concentration. You will experience the effort and responsibility that comes with your potential career.
Field Experience
In courses like Motor Learning and Exercise Prescription, you'll learn to prescribe exercise regimens and nutritional plans for adults. You will go through the same process you would in your professional career — plan, teach, observe, and make decisions to positively impact the health of each individual.
Graduate Outcomes
Amanda Ciccone '22
Amanda majored in HHK Ex Science, her Honors project was titled: "Impact of COVID-19 on School-Based Occupational Therapists: Lessons Learned".
Amanda was accepted into the OTD program at the Top-rated OT school in the country, University of Pittsburgh! Amanda recently presented her Honor's poster at the American Occupational Therapy Association's national conference.
Headlines
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Immersive Internship
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Unexpected Connection
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A Look at Health & Human Kinetics
Enjoy small classes in HHK.
Enjoy small classes in HHK.
Sarah Fowler— Exercise Science major Sarah Fowler '17 talks about her OWU experience in the classroom and as an All-American in Cross Country and Track.
Sarah Fowler
Exercise Science major Sarah Fowler '17 talks about her OWU experience in the classroom and as an All-American in Cross Country and Track.
Student Athlete Jerry Harper
Student Athlete Jerry Harper
Hands-on learning
Hands-on learning
Department Contact Info
Location
Edwards Gymnasium
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3725
HHK Department Contact
Department Chair: Andrew Busch
Associate Professor of Health and Human Kinetics
Edwards Gymnasium 107-C
614-783-6917
ambusch@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Wendi Kay
Edwards Gymnasium #107-A
740-368-3982
wwkay@owu.edu
Associate Professor of Health and Human Kinetics
Edwards Gymnasium 107-C
614-783-6917
ambusch@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Wendi Kay
Edwards Gymnasium #107-A
740-368-3982
wwkay@owu.edu