Northwestern State University

What you'll study

Coursework combines foundational health science topics with practical fitness and performance training. Example courses listed by the program include:

• Personal Self-Defense — introductory martial-arts-based self-protection while studying physical training benefits.
• Introduction to Health and Human Performance — an overview of the disciplines, professions and challenges shaping health and fitness.
• Physical Fitness — methods and teaching strategies for developing health- and skill-related fitness components.

The curriculum supports preparation for careers in sports medicine, fitness training and rehabilitation and includes options such as a pre-physical therapy academic map.

Entry requirements

The source page does not list specific admission criteria. Prospective students should consult NSU Admissions for application steps, prerequisites and program-specific guidance.

Career prospects

The degree is positioned to lead into several applied roles in health and exercise fields. The program highlights careers such as:

• Exercise Physiologist — designing fitness programs to improve cardiovascular health, endurance and strength for patients, athletes or teams.
• Athletic Trainer — preventing, diagnosing and treating athletic injuries in clinical, educational or sports settings.
• Recreational Therapist — using sport and activity to support physical and emotional recovery in hospitals, rehabilitation centers or long-term care facilities.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page points students to degree resources and campus offices for planning and support. Applicants should review NSU’s central financial aid and scholarship pages to discover institutional awards, external scholarships and work-study options relevant to students in health and kinesiology fields.