Movement Science Degree, Preventative Care and Physical Activity Concentration, B.S.

Movement Science student practicing blood pressure measurement on a classmate during a hands-on lab activity.

Promote Wellness and Prevention Through Movement

The Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration equips students with the skills to promote healthier individuals and communities through education, physical activity, and preventative care. Whether added as a specialization to another major or pursued as a concentration within Movement Science, this program emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and health equity.

You’ll study how lifestyle, environment, and behavior influence long-term health—and learn how to educate and empower others to make positive changes. Courses explore health communication, medical terminology, elementary health education, and public health intervention. Students also complete the Movement Science core, with foundational coursework in nutrition, kinesiology, physiology, and motor learning.

With support from faculty advisors, you’ll personalize your academic path by completing either 18 credits of focused coursework or a related minor—helping you prepare for credentialing exams and specialized careers in community health, education, and wellness.

Whether you aim to work in schools, healthcare, nonprofits, or government settings, this concentration offers a flexible, interdisciplinary path that blends physical activity with impactful, community-based health education.

Program Highlights

  • Promote healthier lifestyles in schools, communities, and healthcare settings
  • Study movement science, public health, and communication
  • Get ready for CHES, PAPHS, and other certifications
  • Engage in applied learning and collaborative projects
  • Learn to communicate health information clearly and effectively

Ready to Make a Difference in Public Health?

Gain the knowledge and hands-on experience to make a real impact in your community and beyond.

From the Classroom to the Community: Be an Advocate for Wellness

  • Students in the Medical Aspects of Physical Activity class learn to use an otoscope and opthalmoscope.

    In-Depth Training in Preventative Health Practices

    This concentration equips students with the knowledge to design and implement preventative health programs aimed at improving the well-being of diverse communities. Students explore health behavior models, learn how to advocate for physical activity, and develop the skills needed to address the social determinants of health. Through collaborative learning and real-world applications, students are trained to create programs that reduce risk factors and promote lifelong wellness.

  • Two students lifting weights in a movement science lab.

    Hands-On Experience in Public Health and Physical Activity

    Students in the Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration gain valuable experience through internships, community engagement, and service learning. By working directly with schools, healthcare organizations, and public health initiatives, they learn to apply evidence-based strategies in real-world settings. Whether leading fitness classes or developing health education campaigns, students build critical skills in program management, community outreach, and advocacy that directly impact public health.

  • Movement Science student presenting research findings at the Undergraduate Research Conference.

    Credentialing Opportunities to Enhance Career Prospects

    In addition to their core coursework, students in this concentration have the opportunity to pursue nationally recognized certifications, such as the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS) credentials. These credentials enhance graduates' qualifications, opening doors to career paths in health education, wellness coaching, public health programming, and more. Students receive personalized advising to help tailor their coursework and exam preparation, ensuring they are well-prepared for their chosen career paths.

Program Details

Learning Outcomes
  • Learn to educate, collaborate and engage with external partners from a variety of disciplines to promote physical activity in multiple settings and with a variety of populations for opportunities for the promotion of physical activity.
  • Identify and use public health data as a tool to develop and prioritize community-based interventions, including policies, to promote physical activity, knowledge of current trends and research in the field through evidence-based practices for the develop
  • Use theoretical frameworks and models to plan and evaluate physical activity interventions.
  • Recommend and translate effective intervention strategies to partners and other constituents.
  • Identify appropriate resources and continuing education for the implementation of a personal professional development plan, which includes training and ongoing technical assistance for promoting physical activity.
  • Understand exercise physiology and related exercise science for both health promotion and disease prevention and physical activity assessment.

Department Learning Goals

What Can You Do With a Movement Science, Preventative Care and Physical Activity Concentration, B.S.?

A Movement Science, Preventative Care and Physical Activity Concentration, B.S. opens up a range of career opportunities focused on health, wellness, and public health. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease, and improve physical activity in various populations. Here are some career paths and opportunities:

  • Health Educator
  • Wellness Coach
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Physical Activity Coordinator
  • Health and Wellness Program Manager
  • Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
  • Graduate Studies
Student presenting research on the impact of preventative care at the Undergraduate Research Conference.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Program Description

The Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration/specialization prepares students to be engaged citizens through impacting the health of individuals and groups in their communities. Students may complete the program as a concentration in Movement Science, or as a specialization to add to a declared major.

The focus of the Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration is on preventative health interventions viewed and implemented through the lens of multiple health-behavior models, inter-professional- and team-based leadership and problem solving, as well as health equity. This concentration's integrated approach provides opportunities for students to become health literate themselves, understanding and valuing the many determinants of health, and to become advocates and agents of change for health literacy and health equity in their communities.

All students in the concentration will be held accountable to the applicable policies and procedures outlined in the SMHP Department Manual, including Intermediate and Advanced Standing.

Credentialing

The Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration is one of the many concentrations in the Movement Science major. All Movement Science majors must complete the shared Movement Science core, totaling 27 credits. The Preventative Care and Physical Activity concentration requires the completion of 18 credits of specified coursework, as well as 18 additional credits of additional approved coursework or completion of a minor towards a focused area. The 18 additional credits for the concentration (or the added minor coursework) is designed to support student-focused work to allow for credentialing in an area selected by the student.

Students in this concentration are encouraged to sit for certain nationally recognized board, licensure, and certification exams related to their credentialing area. Completing either the 18 additional credits or a minor does not guarantee successful completion of board or licensure exams. Students should consult with one of the program advisors to discuss the optimal path for credential certifications and exam preparation. Students may pursue, but are not limited to, the following credential opportunities:

  • Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
  • Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS)
  • Health, Food, and Consumer Science MTEL (Massachusetts Teacher Education Licensure for Health Education)
  • Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming (CSPAP)

Your advisor can assist you in selecting your 18 credits worth of additional coursework, or help you choose and declare a minor, to align with specific credentialing. Again, other credentialing opportunities may be available that are not listed here.

The settings, job titles, and responsibilities of each of the certifications/credentials can be very similar. Specific pathways, based on individual student strengths and interests, should be discussed with an advisor. The skill sets developed throughout this program, such as teamwork, leadership, professionalism, inter-professional communication, and systems-thinking, are all highly desired skills in most industries, and are transferable to many fields. With these certifications, students may look forward to working in the following settings: schools, hospitals, doctor's offices, private businesses, insurance companies, local/state/federal government agencies, and non-profit organizations (bls.org; nchec.org; shapeamerica.org). Of students enrolled in similar programs nationally, approximately 50% are employed in healthcare or social assistance settings, and 20% are employed in state or local government (nchec.org).

In these settings, students may hold one or more of the following job titles: health educator, health coach, health literacy program coordinator, health media consultant, health journalist, health information specialist, prevention specialist, patient educator, employee wellness coordinator, grant writer, health advocacy coordinator, director of youth or adult physical activity programming, and health services coordinator, among others (nchec.org; shapeamerica.org).

In these positions, students will typically have some combination of the following responsibilities:

  • Educating individuals and populations to influence health behavior as well as the environments that impact health. The clear focus is on prevention for healthier individuals and communities.
  • Most public health settings require students to build partnerships, advocate for physical activity programs and strong public health, and promote safe spaces for physical activity, with a mission of health equity. (acsm.org)
  • Additionally, students working in healthcare settings may educate patients regarding their care and how the health system functions, create incentive programs to use health services, partner with and refer to appropriate health providers, and consult regarding barriers to health.

 

All statistics were provided by the following websites: acsm.org; nchec.org; shapeamerica.org; bls.org.

Movement Science Major Core (27 credits)

All majors in the Department of Sports Medicine and Human Performance must complete the twenty-seven (27) credits of courses specified below. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 in the Major Core is required to be eligible to graduate with a degree from the department.

Scientific Foundations (21 credits)

Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)

The courses listed below are concentration-specific and must be taken depending on the concentration you are studying.

Cultural Competence (3 credits)

The courses listed below are concentration-specific and must be taken depending on the concentration you are studying.

Preventative Health and Physical Activity Concentration

The Preventative Health and Physical Activity concentration consists of the following 36(+) credits:

Select a Minor or Take 18 Additional Credits

In addition to the requirements outlined above, students in this concentration must do one of the following:

  • Declare and complete a minor, or
  • Complete 18 additional credits

Both routes will require advisor approval, and must be decided depending upon the students' goals.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Get Big School Features with Small School Advantages

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a welcoming campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • 87%

    Of students receive financial aid

  • 700+

    Internship opportunities

  • 17:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

Personalized Attention from Dedicated Faculty

At our institution, faculty members hold advanced degrees in the subjects they teach. Imagine a learning environment where personalized attention is not just a promise but a reality. Your professors are not just educators; they are mentors committed to expanding your horizons. Through a blend of dynamic coursework and hands-on projects, we're dedicated to not just teaching but elevating your knowledge and skills.

Movement Science students smiling with a faculty member at an academic awards ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. 

Learn more about our student support services here.

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Movement Science Degree, Preventative Care and Physical Activity Concentration, B.S.