This fall, the IU Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences is launching a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Applied Fitness and Sports Performance. Designed for students who plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, this degree prepares graduates for roles in sports performance, strength and conditioning, corporate and community fitness/wellness, or personal training.
“We designed this degree to appeal to students with a wide range of interests, equipping them for success in a variety of industry settings,” said Mark Urtel, Ed.D., chair and associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology. “The curriculum includes unique areas of study, such as a focus on the behavioral and psychological aspects of fitness, and an early introduction in the first year to a course in human movement and motor skills.”
The new degree program at IU Indianapolis is aligned with academic guidelines from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Program graduates will be prepared to sit for industry certification exams through these organizations to earn credentials as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), certified personal trainer (CPT) or a certified exercise physiologist (ACSM-EP).
As part of the degree planning process, Urtel and department faculty surveyed industry and community partners, school alumni and current students to gather feedback on the new offering.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive, with stakeholders indicating the new degree was in line with current industry needs,” Urtel said. “They told us that the program addresses what today’s health and fitness clients expect, especially the focus on behavior change and helping people overcome barriers to exercise and make choices to engage in a healthy lifestyle long term.”
The Applied Fitness and Sports Performance degree is one of three undergraduate degrees offered in the Department of Kinesiology. Students can also earn a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or physical education teacher education.
“With the depth and breadth that this new program offers, we believe students will be well prepared to step into the workforce, make a difference in people’s lives and take advantage of new opportunities in an ever-changing industry,” Urtel said.