The NSU Human Performance bachelor's degree program will prepare you to work in the field of sports science.
As a human performance and fitness major, you’ll be part of a growing program that will help you build a strong sports science foundation through courses such as anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology.
Choose from two emphases:
- Health Promotion
- Exercise for Special Populations
You'll also have the unique opportunity to work with professors in our Nora Staael Evert Human Performance Lab, fully equipped to enhance teaching and training in the clinical and applied aspects of exercise physiology and biomechanics!
Students who major in human performance and fitness at Northern can plan for a career as a physical therapist through our pre-physical therapy program! Learn more at Pre-Physical Therapy.
Lab Expansion
Check out Northern State's upgraded Nora Staael Evert Sprots Sciences Laboratories!
WONDERING IF THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU?
This program will be a good fit if you are:
- Interested in exercise, sports, science and math
- Driven and committed, wanting to pass knowledge along and stay on top of latest research
- Personable, with good communication skills; a lot of daily contact
- Adaptable and dependable
- Invested in helping others and seeing them succeed
- Caring, compassionate and empathetic; people that are in it for the long-term wellbeing of others are needed in these positions
- Hands-on, and skilled at monitoring/assessing
CAREERS
With a degree in human performance and fitness, you could work as an:
- Athletic trainer
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Dietitian
- Exercise physiologist
- Sports biomechanist
- Human performance lab tech
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Orthopedic sales rep
- Cardiac rehabilitation specialist
- Personal trainer
INTERNSHIPS
At Northern, getting out of the classroom and into a real-world workplace setting is a critical part of your education. We offer two ways to explore potential career fields and gain experience working directly with professionals:
- PE 395: A field experience where you'll explore a possible career field for 150 hours
- PE 496: You'll work directly with professionals in the field for 150 hours
Our designated internship coordinator will work with you to find the internship opportunity that's right for you. Please contact our internship coordinator, Dr. Kelsie Roberts, to learn more!
SCHOLARSHIPS
The NSU WolfPACT is the highest guaranteed, four-year scholarship in the region. But we also offer scholarships specific to education students. Contact the School of Education at 605-626-2415 to learn more!
SAMPLE PLANS OF STUDY
Human Performance - Emphasis in Health Promotion (BS) Plan of Study
Human Performance - Emphasis in Exercise for Special Populations (BS) Plan of Study
Human Performance - Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy (BS) Plan of Study
Students majoring in human performance and fitness often double major in:
And they often minor in:
STUDY ABROAD
Experience the world while earning your degree through NSU Study Abroad! With hundreds of opportunities available around the globe, Northern can make your study abroad dream become a reality. Learn more at Study Abroad!
STUDENT RESEARCH
At Northern, you'll have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research that can have real-world impacts - while still an undergraduate student. Now with our brand new, state-of-the-art Jewett Regional Science Education Center, and Nora Staael Evert Human Performance Lab, the sky is truly the limit. Learn more at Student Research!