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About The Program

School of Education

Human Performance and Fitness

In this program you’ll build a strong science foundation through courses such as anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology.

Human performance and fitness majors can choose from three concentrations:

Personal Training/Strength and Conditioning, which prepares students for certifications offered by the National Strength & Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine;

Fitness Administration, which prepares students to manage/own fitness businesses; and

Health and Fitness for Older Adults, which prepares student for job opportunities in fields such as occupational therapy.

NSU offers a unique opportunity for students to work with professors in our Nora Staael Evert Human Performance Lab, which is fully equipped to enhance the teaching and training in the clinical and applied aspects of exercise physiology.

Careers

Our graduates are prepared to enter professional programs in athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and other allied health professions; continue their study of exercise science or human performance in graduate school; and enter the workforce as a strength coach, personal trainer, corporate fitness professional.

The career outlook for the exercise scientist is expected to be positive. Job opportunities in the exercise science field are expected to grow faster than jobs overall for the foreseeable future due to an increasing number of businesses offering wellness programs for their employees, the general rise in fitness awareness among the population, and the aging of the baby boomer generation.

Our department’s academic advisors and professors will work one-on-one with you to discuss career options that are a perfect fit for your interests and abilities. For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships

In this program, you’ll work with your professors to find the internship opportunity that’s right for you. We’ve designed two options for you to gain valuable hands-on experience:

PE 395 - A field experience where the student explores a possible career field for 150 hours

PE 496 - Students work directly with professionals in the field for 150 hours

Scholarships

School of Education scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and upperclassmen. For details, please call the School of Education at 605-626-2417.

Arts and Sciences Scholarships

Education Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Course Requirements

Human Performance and Fitness (BS) Course Requirements

Health Minor Course Requirements

Plans of Study

Personal Training/Strength and Conditioning (BS) Plan of Study

Fitness Administration (BS) Plan of Study

Health and Fitness for Older Adults (BS) Plan of Study

Personal Training/Strength and Conditioning/Pre-Physical Therapy/Pre-Occupational Therapy (BS) Plan of Study

Our Faculty

Chad Gerber

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Ph.D., The Ohio State University

M.S., University of Northern Colorado

B.S., University of Kansas

Research Interests

College sport

Relationship between athletics and academics on college campus

Sport psychology

Sport marketing

Gregory Cantrell

Department

School of Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Educational Studies (MSEd)

Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

M.S., University of Memphis

B.S., University of Memphis

Curriculum Vitae

ResearchGate Site

Dr. Gregory Cantrell joined NSU's faculty in 2017. At the University of Memphis, he earned a bachelor's degree in health and human performance and master's degree in health and sports science. He also has a doctorate degree in exercise physiology from the University of Oklahoma.

Research Interests

Studying asymmetrics in multiple sclerosis

Human performance

Lori Bruns

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Sport Performance and Leadership (Masters)

Educational Studies (MSEd)

Ms. Lori Bruns

Instructor of Health and Physical Education

M.S., North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

B.S., Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.

Curriculum Vitae

Ms. Lori Bruns joined NSU's faculty in 2012. She received a Master of Science degree in health, nutrition, and exercise science with a concentration in exercise science in 2009 from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., for which her thesis was "An Examination of the Changes in Flexibility and Core Strength after a Five-Week Pilates Class." She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.In other activities at NSU, Ms. Bruns is advisor of PAWS Club (Physical Activity for Wellness Students) and cheer coach.

Research Interests

Physical Activity and Fitness in Youth

Physiology of Strength and Endurance Training in Women

Increasing Physical Activity in the General Public

Dietary Habits of College Freshmen

Motor Learning in Sport

Publications

Froemke C., McNichols L., Beutler A., Bruns L., Tande D. (2010). Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Potential Benefits and Health Risks. SCAN'S Pulse, 29: 1-5.

Bruns, L. (2010). Cerebral Palsy and Strength Training: Beneficial or Not?

Christensen, B., Bruns, L., & Stastny, S. (2012). Improved flexibility and core strength in four different levels of acute Pilates. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44 (suppl 5), S708. (Abstract)

Thomas Orr

Department

School of Education

Health and Physical Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

Sport Marketing and Administration

Sport Performance and Leadership (Masters)

Educational Studies (MSEd)

Ph.D., Indiana University

M.S., Indiana University

B.A., University of North Dakota

Dr. Thomas Orr joined Northern State University's faculty in 2011. He is the professor for sport marketing and administration and head of the NSU Health and Physical Education Department. He previously was a visiting professor for Indiana University and research associate for the Center for Sport Policy & Conduct.

Dr. Orr has had extensive experience as a player, official, supervisor, coach and sport administrator in numerous sports. He was assistant intramural director for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athletic department, where he also completed a B.A. in history with minors in recreation and leisure services, economics, and athletic coaching.

As an athlete, Dr. Orr competed in the Canadian junior hockey leagues before playing college hockey for the Hoosiers. After playing several seasons for Indiana, he joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach and helped lead the team to a national title game. After being selected as a coach for the ACHA Division 1 All Star game in his second season as head coach and fifth season coaching for the cream and crimson, Dr. Orr joined NSU as a tenure track professor. He also coaches the youth teams of his four children.

Dr. Orr is a director for Pro Ambitions hockey and leads several Midwest youth camps for the Boston Bruins. He also coached for two high school hockey teams; the 26-time N.D. state champion Grand Forks Central Knights, and as volunteer coach for the Bloomington Blades high school team. He has also spent six consecutive summers working as a correctional officer in the North Dakota State Penitentiary, where he observed a wide variety of violence, often relating to inmates' leisure time. Dr. Orr's publication list is highlighted by his 2009 textbook Sport and Violence; A Critical Examination of Sport, published by Elsevier in London. He has several academic articles published and is completing an event-planning textbook, to be published by Cognella. He has been a returning guest on Huffpost Live and has provided many other media outlets with sport expertise.

Research Interests

Sport violence

Social psychology of sport

Leadership

Government policy

Sport law and criminology

Coaching ethics

Youth development

Ice hockey

Excellence and performance

Sport management and marketing

Selected Publications