HEALTH, SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCES

“I have really enjoyed all aspects of being a part of HSES within the School of Education & Human Sciences. As a community health major, I think my favorite part is getting to explain what ‘community health’ really means and share the great experiences I have had so far learning about health-based sciences, connecting with amazing staff and faculty, and building relationships with peers.”

Alden Pennington, community health

“PE+ is more than just learning how to be a gym teacher. This program will teach you how to become a leader and a role model to your future students, and open up more opportunities for yourself far after graduation.”

Myltin

Bighorn, physical education plus, ’22, now pursuing a master’s degree in sport management at KU

“My favorite thing about the exercise science program at KU is the unity and respect everyone has for each other. The professors genuinely want you to succeed and will do whatever they can to help you reach your full potential. Classmates become your friends and you get to work together and help each other, and this has helped me have the best.”

Gabby Dorsen, exercise science, ’22

HSES students have access to study abroad programs, research with faculty, and volunteer opportunities in the immediate community and beyond. In addition to its academic programs, the department offers research opportunities for faculty and students in a variety of laboratories and clinics.

Sport Management

The bachelor’s degree in sport management prepares students for a variety of positions in the sport and athletics industry: professional athletics, intercollegiate athletics, as well as other sport and health-related organizations. Students learn from full-time faculty who are prominent scholars and expert practitioners. Students also get to interact with program alumni and other sport professionals working for organizations such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City Royals and Kansas Athletics.

Internship

A semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, is required for sport management majors during the last semester of their program. The senior internship provides real-world experience and future employer contacts. All classes in the program must be completed before the internship.

Career directions

Ticket sales manager

New membership sales consultant

Youth soccer coordinator

Marketing and foundation coordinator

Guest services specialist

Events and operations coordinator

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PLUS (PE+)

The bachelor’s degree in physical education plus (PE+) prepares individuals to become PE teachers at the PK-12 levels. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in PE+ will have fulfilled the requirements for the degree as well as the requirements to pursue an initial teaching license in physical education for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Kansas.

Student teaching

Student teaching is required for PE+ majors. Student teaching sites are close by, within a 50-mile radius of Lawrence.

Career directions

Teacher

Fitness professional

Program coordinator

Curriculum specialist

Department chair

Physical activity leader

Athletic director

Good To Know

65 internship sites

66% of Jayhawks who graduate with a major in community health enroll in graduate school

72% of Jayhawks who graduate with a major in exercise science enroll in graduate school

6 national championships won by the KU men’s basketball team (four NCAA Division 1 championships, two Helms championships prior to the formation of NCAA)

Rock Chalk!

Community Health

The bachelor’s degree in community health prepares students for career paths in a variety of public and communitybased settings. The program is rigorous and dynamic and allows students who are passionate about health issues in a community setting to work with individuals to develop healthy attitudes and behaviors. Students in this program acquire the knowledge and skills to engage with diverse communities in the development, implementation and assessment of health promotion programs. Coursework also prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam and to apply for graduate programs such as occupational therapy school.

Internship

A semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, is required for community health majors during the last semester of their program. The senior internship provides real-world experience and future employer contacts. All classes in the program must be completed before the internship.

Career directions

Hospital/clinic-based educator

Health consultant

Health education specialist

Health education program coordinator

Corporate wellness professional

Exercise Science

The bachelor’s degree in exercise science provides a thorough understanding of the human body and prepares you to work in health-related professional fields. The program is a designated Education Recognition Program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Program coursework focuses on various studies — physiology of exercise, motor control, biomechanics, and rehabilitative exercise.

Preparation for professional programs

Coursework in our undergraduate programs prepares students to meet prerequisite requirements for many professional school programs including the physical therapy program at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Those who choose to pursue an advanced degree after graduation are considered for many highly-selective master’s and doctoral degree programs across the U.S.

Internship or approved electives

Exercise science students choose either to complete an approved internship experience or pursue a program track full of approved elective courses. The semester-long internship, 600 hours or more, provides students with hands-on experience and is completed during the last semester of the program, once all classes in the program have been completed.

Career directions

Exercise/fitness instructor

Personal trainer

Clinical exercise physiologist

Injury prevention specialist

Sport medicine specialist

Strength and conditioning coach

Sport scientist

Study Or Teach Abroad

The KU Office of Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) offers programs for students in every part of the world and in a wide variety of majors. SAGE works closely with KU’s academic departments to identify and evaluate study abroad options and courses so you will know how a recommended program fits with the degree requirements of your major.

Curious about your study or teach abroad options? Learn more at studyabroad.ku.edu/major