Undergraduate

Health and Physical Activity Promotion

Explore multiple aspects of education—from learning theory and health frameworks to physical activity principles and teaching practices.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

24*

Credit

128 hrs.*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

Varies

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Kinesiology

The Health and Physical Activity Promotion degree at UNH offers comprehensive training in promoting youth wellness and physical development. Here you'll be able to explore multiple aspects of education—from learning theory and health frameworks to physical activity principles and teaching practices.

With a focus on authentic learning experiences, hands-on teaching opportunities, and evidence-based approaches, our program prepares you to engage with children of all abilities. Through intensive coursework and practical classroom experience, you'll develop the essential skills needed to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of school-aged youth.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Department of Kinesiology

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Holly Alperin

Clinical Associate Professor

Holly.Alperin@unh.edu

New Hampshire Hall, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-1211

What is Health and Physical Activity Promotion?

The health and physical activity promotion program provides students a pathway to explore principles of human development, human performance, and behavior change across the lifespan. This major prepares students to work in non-clinical settings that focus on helping people to live healthy and active lifestyles across the lifespan. The health and physical activity promotion program at UNH offers its undergraduate students a way to gain knowledge and skills for developing quality programs that will make a difference in the lives of all youth and adults.

Why study Health and Physical Activity Promotion at UNH?

The program provides students with an opportunity to take courses that deepen their learning in an area of specialized interest. The health and physical activity promotion major, prepares students to work with clients of any age in a variety of settings including worksite wellness, fitness centers, community health and wellness programming, camps, sport coaching, and before/after-school programming. This program provides a well-rounded foundation in the field of health and physical activity promotion while allowing flexibility that affords students the opportunity to deepen their learning towards areas of interest that best align with their intended career pathway. Students may use coursework from the Health and Physical Activity Promotion major to prepare for a graduate program leading to teacher licensure in Health and/or Physical Education teaching within K-12 settings. Students are encouraged to partner this major with a minor of their interest to deepen their knowledge and skills.

Potential Careers

Community health/wellness educator
Physical activity program coordinator
Athletic coach
Worksite wellness coordinator
Youth sports coordinator
Wellness coaching

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Health and Physical Activity Promotion major provides students a pathway to explore principles of human development, human performance, and behavior change across the lifespan. This major prepares students to work in non-clinical settings that focus on helping people to live healthy and active lifestyles across the lifespan.

The program provides students with an opportunity to take courses that deepen their learning in an area of specialized interest. This may include a self-identified grouping of courses or the declaration of a formal minor.

Students in this major can select between two options. The first, Health and Physical Activity Promotion, prepares students to work with clients of any age in a variety of settings including worksite wellness, fitness centers, community health and wellness programming, camps, sport coaching, and before/after-school programming. The second option, Health and Physical Education Teacher Licensure, specifically prepares students to teach health education and physical education in K-12 school settings.

For questions about the program, contact the undergraduate program coordinator Holly Alperin or call (603) 862-1211.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
HPE 500	Introduction to Health & Physical Activity Promotion	2
HPE 600	Movement and Gymnastics Exploration	4
NUTR 400	Nutrition in Health and Well Being	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	14
Spring
HPE 601	Foundations of Lifetime Physical Activity	3
HPE 675	Motor Development and Learning Across the Lifespan	4
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
HMP 540 or PSYC 402 or SOC 402	Statistics for Health and Human Service Professionals or Statistics in Psychology or Statistics	4
	Credits	15
Second Year
Fall
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
HPE 610	Teaching Young Children Through Movement	4
HPE 648	Moving Towards Well-Being: Principles of Health Behavior Change for Health and Wellness Educators	4
HPE 601	Foundations of Lifetime Physical Activity	3
	Credits	15
Spring
BMS 508	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
EXSC 607	Biology of Aging	4
Activity Course		3-4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
	Credits	19-20
Third Year
Fall
HPE 781	Introduction to Adapted Physical Education	4
HPE 702	Health Content and Youth Risk Behavior	4
EXSC 620	Physiology of Exercise	4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 746	Human Sexuality	4
HPE 653B or KIN 652 or EXSC 722	Biomechanics of Human Movement or Clinical Kinesiology or Applied Biomechanics	2-4
Practicum Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
	Credits	18-20
Fourth Year
Fall
HPE 766	Middle School and Secondary Physical Education Practicum	4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
	Credits	12
Spring
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
Discovery or Elective Course		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	125-128

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Students must achieve a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA across major-required courses.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
HPE 500	Introduction to Health & Physical Activity Promotion	2
HDFS 525	Human Development	4
HPE 600	Movement and Gymnastics Exploration	4
HPE 601	Foundations of Lifetime Physical Activity	3
HPE 603	Game On! Playing and Leading Team Sports and Activities	3-4
or HPE 676	Adventure Activities
or HPE 671	Health Education Pedagogy
HPE 610	Teaching Young Children Through Movement	4
HPE 781	Introduction to Adapted Physical Education	4
EXSC 607	Biology of Aging	4
HPE 648	Moving Towards Well-Being: Principles of Health Behavior Change for Health and Wellness Educators	4
HPE 653B	Biomechanics of Human Movement	2-4
or KIN 652	Clinical Kinesiology
or EXSC 722	Applied Biomechanics
HPE 675	Motor Development and Learning Across the Lifespan	4
HPE 702	Health Content and Youth Risk Behavior	4
HDFS 746	Human Sexuality	4
NUTR 400	Nutrition in Health and Well Being	4
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BMS 508	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
EXSC 620	Physiology of Exercise	4
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology	4
or SOC 402	Statistics
or HMP 540	Statistics for Health and Human Service Professionals
HPE 712	Health Education Practicum	4
or HPE 570	Elementary Physical Education Practicum
Senior Capstone Experience
HPE 766	Middle School and Secondary Physical Education Practicum	4
Total Credits		74-77

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Analyze how principles of human development, human performance, and motor behavior affect well-being and movement across the lifespan.
Apply learning theories, psychological frameworks, behavior change and human performance models to enhance health and physical activity to improve individual and community well-being.
Use evidence-based practices to develop, implement, and manage programming that improves the health and well-being of participants.
Assess the effectiveness of health, fitness, and wellness programs at both individual and community levels and develop strategies for data-driven improvements.
Utilize safety and risk management best practice in a variety of programs related to health, well-being, movement, & fitness.
Demonstrate leadership, effective communication, and ethical decision-making to enhance health, fitness, and wellness programs in diverse settings.
Utilize current and emerging technologies to enhance assessment, engagement, and program delivery in health, fitness and wellness programs.

Explore Program Details

Adapted Physical Education Concentration

The Physical Education Option with the Department of Kinesiology would like to offer an undergraduate concentration in Adapted Physical Education.

Completion of the coursework can count towards eligibility in sitting for the Adapted Physical Education National Standards examination.

Program offers

Overall knowledge of instruction
Assessment
Programming for students with disabilites
Guided practicum experiences
Learn to address needs of students with disabilites to become physically literate individuals
19-20 credits of coursework

Required courses

HPE 675 - Motor Development and Learning (4 credits)
HPE 731- Inclusive Teaching Through Sport (4 credits)
HPE 781- Inclusion in Physical Education (4 credits)
HPE 742- PE Practicum for Students with Disabilities (4 credits)
HPE 696- Independent study (3-4 credits)

For more information, please contact Scott McNamara at Scott.McNamara@unh.edu.

FAQ

Q: What is needed to be certified to teach in NH?

To be certified in the state of New Hampshire you need to complete an undergraduate degree program through an accredited school such as UNH. In addition, you need to take standardized tests at the state level for teacher certification.

Q: What kind of certifications will I receive?

The UNH Health and Physical Activity Promotion program certifies its 4-year B.S. students in both health and physical education. The 5th year Masters program also certifies its teacher candidates in both health and physical education.

Q: What can I do with the certificate?

With a health and physical education teaching degree you are able to teach at any level from kindergarten to grade 12 in either health or physical education. Many of our graduates receive jobs where they are able to teach in both of these areas. The degree also qualifies you to work in a recreational setting. In addition, you will have the knowledge to coach at any level, and teach students with disabilities.

Q: What is the difference between the 4 and 5-year programs?

The 4-year program gives you a B.S. degree with certification to teach in health and physical education. Candidates are only required to student teach for one semester.
Because many states and school districts require a master’s degree to teach, the 5-year program gives you a master’s degree with certification in health and physical education. Candidates in the master’s program complete a yearlong internship.

Q: What if I only want to teach in one area - either health or physical education?

You can do that! What we find is that most students get the job and the teaching levels they want to work in.

Fifth Year Graduate Program

Master’s in Art in Teaching (MAT)

Students who opt for the 5-year graduate program as their route to teaching certification in Health and Physical Education will apply to the UNH Graduate School for admission into the Department of Education’s MAT program.

Students must have a UNH undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least a 3.0 out of 4.0. The application process is done online, and three letters of recommendation are required. An outstanding benefit for high achieving students is referred to as ‘early admission’ to graduate school. If an undergraduate has a GPA of 3.2 or better at the time they apply, they will be accepted ‘early’ and can take up to three courses (12 credits) as dual listed – undergraduate and graduate level courses. This would mean that an undergraduate student early admitted to the graduate program, will be eligible to take three of the required five courses as undergraduates. Early admit students would then have only two courses left to complete their graduate program. This saves both time and money!

All graduate students, whether regular or early admitted will also be required to take a full year of student teaching (referred to as an internship), as the major component of the MAT that leads to teaching certification. This includes a 16-week placement at an elementary school and a 16-week placement at a middle or high school. Classes required include: (700 level is undergraduate and 800 level is graduate).

Regular Admission Courses	Early Admission Courses
EDUC 800 Ed Structure and Change	EDUC 700/800 Ed Structure and Change
EDUC 805 Contemporary Ed Perspective	EDUC 705/805 Contemporary Ed Perspective
KIN 802 Content Risk Behavior	KIN 702/802 Content Risk Behavior
KIN 910 Curricular Issues in Health	KIN 910 Curricular Issues in Health
One additional 800 level KIN course	One additional 800 level KIN course

With the additional, 5^th year of study, including the internship, a student will graduate with an MAT Education Master’s degree and certification to teach Health and Physical Education, K-12 in New Hampshire. These teaching certifications will be transferable to all of the other 49 states in the U.S. If you have further questions about this graduate program, contact Holly Alperin at Holly.Alperin@unh.edu.