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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

Chelsee Shortt

Department

School of Education

Programs

Human Performance and Fitness

Physical Education

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

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