What is Health and Physical Activity Leadership?

The Bachelor of Science with a major in Health & Physical Activity Leadership (HPAL) is designed to prepare candidates for employment in a variety of fields related to health and physical activity. This will include teaching health and physical education in both public and private schools, coaching in school and community settings, and leadership positions in community-based health and physical activity programs.

a pair of students in the gym giving a high-five

Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

Learn More About Health and Physical Education

Admission Requirements

There are no additional admission requirements for the Coaching Concentration or the Youth Activity Leadership Concentration.

The Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Concentration requires majors to apply for program admission in order to begin coursework in the professional education sequence. 

In order to be admitted to the Health and Physical Education (P-12) program, majors must apply to both the Bagwell College Teacher Preparation Program and to the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education. It is recommended that majors arrange to meet with a HPE Faculty Advisor each semester to assure that are on track to apply for program admission. 

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Concentrations Available

 

Related Minors and Certificates Available

  • Coaching Education Certificate
  • Coaching Minor
  • Nutritional Science Minor
  • Public Health Minor

Sample Classes

  • Basic understanding of the theoretical and practical applications of the sport science areas of physical education related to coaching. Current issues and topics addressing the principles and problems of the prospective interscholastic coach including coaching philosophy, pedagogy, sport psychology, sport medicine and sport physiology. Students successfully completing the course may become certified as a Leader Level Coach by the American Coaches Effectiveness Program.

  • This course addresses the essential concepts and principles of first aid and injury prevention in sports and recreational activities. Students will examine common and severe injuries to learn the appropriate treatment methods. Students will learn common first aid techniques and many first aid myths will be addressed. Theory, practice, and application for safety, injury prevention, and care to include the American Red Cross First Aid/ Adult & Pediatric CPR & AED (ARC FA/CPR/AED).
  • This course addresses the knowledge, fundamental techniques and motor skill analysis appropriate for the development of children’s games, dance, and gymnastics. The focus of this course is on curriculum development, methods, and materials for planning and implementing a total developmental program for elementary physical education. This course requires a 16-hour early field experience at local elementary schools which provides for the practical application of concepts presented in HPE 3450.
  • This course is designed to explore the dynamic factors affecting the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. Students will examine changing patterns of adolescent health behaviors, strategies to promote health literacy, approaches to youth development, and evidence-based youth programming in schools and communities.