Health Behavior Science is the study of how individual (e.g., race, age, disability, knowledge), social (e.g., peer-groups), and environmental (e.g., access to parks, worksite wellness programs) factors shape our health and well-being across the lifespan. We work to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the burden of disease through the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion programs to change specific health behaviors for individuals and/or target populations. Students are also required to complete a minor in an approved area of expertise or complete the Health and Disability concentration to provide additional focused skills that enhance their job competitiveness. Students pursuing this major are well prepared for careers in health promotion and education, community health, worksite wellness, health coaching, personal training, and advanced graduate programs including health promotion/public health, physical/occupational therapy, physician assistant, and accelerated nursing programs. The program culminates with an internship experience that enhances the school to work transition.
Students will be able to think critically, conceptually, and creatively, especially when assessing and accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities in health and physical activity settings. Students will be able to apply academic knowledge through supervised practical experiences in fields that apply to student's professional goals. When planning for or working with individuals with disabilities, students will be able to analyze a multitude of barriers to health and physical activity from a variety of perspectives, national and international. Students will be able to appreciate differences in people and identify the basic federal legislation that prevents discrimination of and guarantees equal opportunities for those with differences in health and physical activity settings.
