Objectives and functions:

1. Promote the philosophy of life that emphasizes the health of the whole person in healthy communities.
2. Offer undergraduate degrees that prepare students for careers as physical educators, health educators, coaches, and managers of health facilities. These programs also prepare students for further study in graduate and professional schools.
3. Provide instruction and guidance in a variety of physical, recreational and intramural activities.

Degrees offered:  Bachelor of Science degrees are offered with majors in Exercise Science and Health Science. Minors are also offered in each of these areas.

 The Exercise Science major provides students opportunities in two directions

1. pursue further study in graduate and/or professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and optometry;
2. pursue entry-level positions in the fitness industry, education, coaching, aquatics, and parks and recreation.  To help students achieve their goals, the major has three areas of concentration: a) scientific basis, b) physical education teacher training, and c) wellness management.

To achieve these ends, students pursuing an Exercise Science major have four areas of concentration from which to choose:

a) scientific basis 

b) scientific basis with preparation for graduate and/or professional schools such as physical therapy, medicine, physician's assistant, dentistry and others

c) physical Education*

d) wellness management

The Health Science major prepares student for entry level careers in public health service.  It also seeks to provide the solid foundation required for admission to various graduate or professional programs of study such as dentistry, medicine, physician's assistant, administration, social work, nutrition. and related public health fields. To achieve these ends, students pursuing a Health Science degree have four major areas of concentration from which to choose:

a) health promotion and education;

b) bio-health science;

c) health care management; and

d) globalization and international health. 

Various field experiences further enrich each major.

*Preparation for teaching:  Students preparing to teach can qualify for state of California teaching credentials by completing the state approved bachelor’s degree and teaching credential requirements in physical education. During the freshman year prospective teachers of both secondary and elementary levels should review the School of Education section of this Bulletin, consult the credential analyst, and visit the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education for detailed information concerning requirements.

A further program leading to the Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction designed for prospective elementary and secondary teachers is described in the Graduate Bulletin.