Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science (HES)

Health status has been shown to be related to many factors including illness and disease, but it is also related to lifestyle, environmental exposures, social status, cultural affiliation, spiritual belief and access to health services. The Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science offers the foundation to use strategies to help others reduce health risks and increase overall health, as well as evaluate and advocate for policies that influence public health for the common good. In Jesuit education it is known as cura personalis. To HES students it means looking at all aspects that affect individuals’ and communities’ health, including social justice issues, along with each individual’s unique circumstances, challenges and gifts.

The Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science (HES) combines the following principles to optimize physical, mental and social wellbeing: behavioral health, biomechanics, exercise physiology, health psychology, motor behavior, and nutrition. In addition to the course work included in this degree, students complete a required internship to gain practical experience in such areas as community health, individual fitness, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, nutrition, or health policy settings.

Flexibility of career choice is a hallmark of the HES degree. Diverse career opportunities include employment as an exercise specialist, health and wellness coach, personal trainer, sport performance coach or occupational and community health specialist. In addition, this program prepares graduates for application to professional graduate programs in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy,  athletic training, sports psychology, nutrition and other health related disciplines, as well as academic graduate programs in areas such as health and behavioral science, public health, exercise physiology and kinesiology. 

The HES major provides a strong foundation in the natural and behavioral sciences and encourages students to tailor their course of study specific to their career goals with optional specializations in pre-physical therapy, or pre-occupational therapy.

The four-year, 120 semester hour, Bachelor of Science in HES degree also includes preparation for various American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) certifications.