B.S. Public Health and Fitness

Major Minor

Public health and fitness is a dynamic, far-reaching and growing field where you can assess a population, determine the main health issues affecting that community and plan and implement appropriate programs and interventions to address those needs. 

A bachelor’s degree in public health and fitness from Concordia University, Nebraska teaches you how to create and execute fitness and health education programs for various individuals and populations so you can be an advocate for healthy living and improving the overall health of your community through all levels of prevention. 

Public Health and Fitness Courses

120 credit hours
80% career outcome rate1
15:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
 

Discover how public health and fitness are essential to the wellbeing and longevity of your community! 

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Program Highlights

WHY STUDY EXERCISE SCIENCE AT CONCORDIA? 

The public health and fitness program at Concordia University, Nebraska is designed to help students develop healthy emotional, physical and spiritual practices and to equip the next generation of inclusive public health and fitness professionals with the skills to improve the health and well-being of the global population. Students in the program advance their knowledge, abilities and attitudes through the pursuit of a Christ-centered education in health and wellness. 

3+2 Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree in Public Health 

Students in the B.S. Public Health and Fitness program who meet the university’s bachelor’s to master’s program criteria and are approved by the Health and Human Performance Department can take Master of Public Health courses that count toward their undergraduate major while earning credit toward an MPH degree, allowing them to complete both degrees in 5 years. 

Recent Internships 

  • County health departments: Four Corners Health Department 
  • Fitness centers: Going Vertical, Madonna ProActive, Prairie Life, YMCA 
  • Community organizations: Blue Valley Community Action, CASA, People’s City Mission, Seward Foster Friends, Center for People in Need, Lincoln Homeless Coalition 
  • Voluntary health agencies: Celiac Sprue Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 
  • Strength and conditioning programs: Local high schools and colleges 

Recent Graduate and Professional Schools 

  • Concordia University, Nebraska (Public Health) 
  • Baylor University (Public Health) 
  • Concordia University, Nebraska (Coaching and Athletics Administration) 
  • Wichita State University (Sport Management) 
  • Creighton University (Physical Therapy) 
  • Washington University in St. Louis (Physical Therapy) 
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center (Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant) 
  • University of Arizona (Physiological Sciences) 
  • University of South Dakota (Occupational Therapy) 
  • University of Nebraska Omaha (Athletic Training) 

Recent Alumni Careers 

  • Bryan Health and Bryan LifePointe 
  • Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service 
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society 
  • Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services 
  • Precision Pilates 
  • UNL Extension Nutrition Education Program 
  • YMCA 

MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY 

As experts in exercise science our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom. 

Meet the faculty

Meet our students

Tanner Schwaninger
Palmyra, Nebraska

One thing I’ve noticed throughout my time at Concordia is that we really focus on the awareness of what the public health concerns are in the community and even in the world.

Accreditation

Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Degree Goals

A public health and fitness program graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:  

  • Identify and use evidence-based practice to guide planning and decision-making for individual and public health. 
  • Communicate in multiple modalities to express fitness, public health, wellness and prevention strategies, concepts, and messages. 
  • Integrate knowledge of cultural frameworks and inter-professional collaboration to improve individual and public health. 
  • Develop, implement and evaluate wellness and prevention interventions. 
  • Apply scientific reasoning and evidence-based knowledge to determine health education, health promotion and disease prevention best practices. 

Health and Human Performance Minors

  • Coaching  
  • Parish Health  
  • Public Health  
  • Recreation  
  • Recreation and Sport Management  
  • Senior Adult Fitness  
  • Sport Ministry  
  • Sport Psychology 

Career Outcomes

Community Health Worker 

  • Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations and implement programs in the community that promote, maintain and improve individual and public health 
  • Provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening 

Public Health Educator 

  • Teach people about behaviors that promote wellness 
  • Develop and implement strategies to improve the health of those you work with, collect data and discuss health concerns 

Fitness and Wellness Coordinator 

  • Work for a gym or health facility planning exercise classes, health seminars and other special fitness events 
  • Help people stay fit and healthy, assist your gym with staying organized and hire fitness instructors, personal trainers and other personnel to make sure your fitness facility is as effective and efficient as it can be 

FAQs

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1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.