Majors, minors & more
Health and Fitness Teaching
College of Education
- Offered as:
- Certificate
Overview
The health and fitness program is not currently admitting new students.
Health and fitness focuses on how muscles and other bodily systems work, develop, and interact.
The health and fitness program at WSU includes studies in exercise science, anatomy, motor learning, motor control, sport psychology, motor development, health and wellness, and biomechanics.
Additionally, health and fitness is the teaching certification endorsement area for those who want to teach wellness and recreational activity (formerly known as physical education) or coach sport teams.
- Strengths of the program
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- Work closely with faculty in small classes of students who share your enthusiasm for fitness and athletics.
- Earn certification to teach fitness in kindergarten through 12th grade in Washington, plus national level 1 coaching certification.
- Program provides first-hand experience through 200 hours of practicum and 16 weeks of student teaching.
- Student-teaching opportunities in every region of Washington, as well as in English-speaking schools in several countries.
- The Alhadeff Future Teachers of Color program provides support for multicultural students.
- Core courses
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In the health and fitness major, you'll take these core courses (and you can also choose plenty of electives to focus on the areas that interest you most).
Departmental courses
Human Motor Development
Human Anatomy
Fitness Concepts
Strength Training
Health/Wellness
Biomechanics
Introductory Human Physiology
Physics of Exercise
Motor Skill Acquisition
Behavioral Aspects of Human Movement
Research and Assessment
Exercise PrescriptionHealth and fitness core courses
Human Sexuality
Practicum in Special Populations
Fitness Education Methods
Philosophy of Human Movement
Health Education Methods
Weight Training
Conditioning Swimming
American Social Dance
Beginning Gym TumblingEducation core courses
Learning and Development
Initial Practicum Experience
Curriculum, Instruction and Content Literacy Methods
Culture and Community Contexts of Education
Secondary Methods of Educational Technology
Diversity, Classroom Life, and Management
Classroom Assessment, Secondary
Advanced Practicum
ESL/Special Education Methods for Secondary Teachers
Student TeachingNote: See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For students in health and fitness teaching
The College of Education offers scholarships to some of its students. Visit the College of Education scholarships page for more information. You can also call 509-335-1738 or e-mail education@wsu.edu to request information.
- Careers in health and fitness
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Careers in health and fitness include teaching or coaching at schools or other programs for youth. Rising obesity rates among young people make this career path more important than ever. Visit the state of Washington public education website for more information on career availability and teacher requirements.
- More about the Health and fitness teacher certification endorsement at WSU.