The Health & Fitness emphasis is for students interested in developing and executing workout routines, whether it be for clients in private gyms or patients in rehabilitation centers. A strong foundation in health and fitness is critical if you aspire to be a sports coach, personal trainer, corporate wellness specialist or health educator.
Program Overview
Discover innovative ways to help people stay physically fit.
The Health & Fitness emphasis will teach you how to develop and execute workout routines for clients in private gyms or patients in rehabilitation centers. The curriculum is a dynamic balance between coursework in science, exercise physiology, anatomy, nutrition and psychology with technical classes in facilities management and fitness instruction.
To start building your resume, you can conduct research in our state-of-the-art High Altitude Performance Lab and help develop exercise programming for clinical populations in the Wellness Elevated program. If graduate school is on your radar, you can get a head start by collaborating on research projects with students in the High Altitude Exercise Physiology master’s program. Through the Association for Students of Exercise Sports Science, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in professional development and networking events to meet potential employers.
Fulfilling work
Health & Fitness students learn the skills and science behind the possibilities of exercise and its influence on health and mental wellness.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 62 credits is required, including the 15-credit Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus:
To graduate, all exercise and sport science majors must complete ESS 181 Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science and ESS 185 Lifetime Wellness with a minimum grade of “C”:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise and Sport Science Nucleus | ||
| ESS 181 | Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science | 3 |
| ESS 185 | Lifetime Wellness | 3 |
| ESS 320 | Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 490 | Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| Select one of the following ESS Capstone courses: 1 | 3 | |
ESS 495 | Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science | |
EDUC 410 | K-12 Student Teaching | |
ESS 498 | Internship in Exercise and Sport Science | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
EDUC 410 K-12 Student Teaching is a capstone option for K-12 Physical Education majors seeking Colorado licensure; ESS 498 Internship in Exercise and Sport Science is a capstone option for the ESS Standard Emphasis.
First Aid/CPR Competency and the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ESS 201 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab) | 4 |
| ESS 275 | Motor Development and Learning | 3 |
| ESS 298 | Fitness Instruction | 3 |
| ESS 330 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| ESS 331 | Exercise Physiology Lab | 1 |
| ESS 370 | Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning | 3 |
| ESS 380 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| ESS 385 | Physical Activity Programming | 3 |
| ESS 410 | Assessment and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| ESS 411 | Wellness Elevated I | 3 |
| ESS 450 | Risk Management in Physical Activity Settings | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
BIOL 300 | Basic Nutrition | |
ESS 360 | Nutrition for Wellness and Performance | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
ESS 382 | Management of Sport and Fitness Facilities | |
ROE 466 | Facilities and Administration | |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
ESS 340 | Mental Training for Peak Performance | |
ESS 355 | Psychology of Injury | |
ESS 363 | Inclusive Physical Activity | |
ESS 365 | Topics in Physical Activity | |
| Total Credits | 47 | |
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| "C" or better required for both ESS 181 and ESS 185 to receive credit toward ESS degree. | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| ESS 181 or ESS 185 |
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science or Lifetime Wellness |
3 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 8 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 181 or ESS 185 |
Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science or Lifetime Wellness |
3 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 6 |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESS 201 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab) Milestone course & prerequisite for ESS 330 & Ess 380. | 4 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 7 |
| Elective | Elective/Minor/2nd Major | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 275 | Motor Development and Learning | 3 |
| ESS 298 | Fitness Instruction | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 4 |
| Elective | Elective/Minor/2nd Major | 6 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESS 330 | Exercise Physiology milestone | 3 |
| ESS 331 | Exercise Physiology Lab milestone | 1 |
| ESS 380 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| ESS 385 | Physical Activity Programming | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 6 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 320 | Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 370 | Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning | 3 |
| Elective | Elective (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 3 |
| ESS 363 | Inclusive Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 410 | Assessment and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ESS 355 | Psychology of Injury | 3 |
| ESS 450 | Risk Management in Physical Activity Settings | 3 |
| Elective | Electives (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 3 |
| ESS 360 | Nutrition for Wellness and Performance | 3 |
| ESS 411 | Wellness Elevated I | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESS 382 | Management of Sport and Fitness Facilities | 3 |
| ESS 495 or ESS 498 |
Senior Seminar in Exercise and Sport Science or Internship in Exercise and Sport Science |
3 |
| ESS 490 | Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| ESS 340 | Mental Training for Peak Performance | 3 |
| Elective | Electives (upper division) ESS/Minor/2nd Major | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Graduate Research: Collaborate on research projects with students in the High Altitude Exercise Physiology master’s program.
- High Altitude Performance Lab: Take classes and conduct research in our state-of-the-art facility.
- Publish Research: Publish your work in the Center for Wellness and Human Performance Health & Fitness Journal.
- Wellness Elevated: Work with clinical populations and their exercise programming for a semester or more.
- Association for Students of Exercise Sports Science: This club is specifically tailored to ESS majors. Outings and events provide social support, professional development and networking opportunities.
High Altitude Performance Lab
Exercise and Sports Science students work with a patient for research at Western’s High Altitude Performance lab. The HAP Lab allows students to study the physiological effects of Gunnison’s 7,703-foot elevation.
News & Research
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Gary P. Van Guilder, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science; Chair, Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
