Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Activity Leadership

The Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Activity Leadership (HPAL) will prepare you to become a health and physical education teacher for grade-level pre-kindergarten through grade 12. With this degree, you’ll complete the equivalent of a major in health and physical education and a second major in pedagogical studies, emphasizing teaching health and physical education. 

The National Council accredits the Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Activity Leadership for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), fully approved by Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC) for P-12 teacher certification and nationally recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). Kennesaw State University hosts this program as the only degree in Georgia nationally recognized by NASPE.

The Health and Physical Activity Leadership program requires you to apply for program admission to begin coursework in the professional education sequence. 

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KSU health and physical education students in the classroom

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Hybrid

Number of Credit Hours: 120 Total Hours

Entry Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

Time to Complete: Four-year Program

Primary Campus: Kennesaw

Curriculum  Apply Now

Degree Pathway

Stay on path for graduation by using the degree pathway that maps out your courses by semester and by year.

Health and Physical Activity Leadership Degree Pathway
degree pathway

Health & Physical Activity Leadership Concentrations

Coaching Concentration

Due to the popularity of sports in our society, the need for competent and ethical coaches is increasing. According to the US Department of Labor, the job market is projected to grow 26% through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Annually, there are approximately 45,000 openings for coaches and scouts.

Although public schools are currently the largest employers of sport coaches, an emerging growth area has been the privatization of sport that has occurred over the last 20 years. Young athletes are now able to access the sport(s) of their choice through private enterprise and programming outside of the more traditional environment. Organized youth sports are highly popular among youth and their families, with approximately 45 million children and adolescent participants in the United States. Seventy-five percent of American families with school-aged children have at least one child participating in organized sports.

National average salary: $29,000 - $60,000 per year depending on level and experience.

Teacher Preparation Concentration Health and Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education teacher job is one of the most often-encountered careers for health and physical education majors. They usually work in elementary, middle, high, and college, teaching students various physical games and skills, instructing them regarding the use of the equipment, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Aside from a degree in health and physical education, HPE teachers also need a teaching certificate which requires courses in child development, pedagogy, and other educational topics. Also, likely to include opportunities to coach.

National average salary: $46,788 per year

Youth Activity Leadership Concentration

This degree concentration is designed to assist students in gaining the competencies, knowledge, and skills to help young people develop into healthy, competent, coping, and contributing citizens. Completing this coursework prepares students to address issues facing youth in the context of family and community with an emphasis on positive outcomes through a dynamic learning environment. This concentration prepares students for positions of leadership in youth development organizations, agencies, and institutions such as schools, 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, recreation/community agencies, military settings, land grant extension services/programs, and many others.

Graduates may be supervisors of youth development staff including education and social service work environments, faith-based advocates for youth wellbeing, program evaluators, fundraisers and grant writers, administrators, and supervisors. The program partners with youth-related agencies/organizations and engages them in learning and experiential opportunities for students.

While data is not exact due to the variations in career opportunities, it is estimated that between 2018 and 2028, the careers that focus on youth development are expected to grow by 18% across the United States.

National average salary: $38,500 to $112,000 based on experience and job description

Health and Physical Activity Leadership Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

  • Engaged – You will have the opportunity to be engaged in the community through internships, service-learning and volunteer activities to improve the lives of community residents

  • Hands-On – The focus on Wellstar College, in addition to academic excellence, is community-based service-learning. As a student, you will have the opportunity to interact with highly qualified, well-respected faculty and become involved with a wide variety of community activities, from student teaching, clinical projects, internships, and community service projects to interacting with community experts. We offer a "real-life" instead of an "ivory tower" education, which is evidenced by our graduates' success in the job market.

  • Enhanced Technology -Wellstar College has “smart” classrooms incorporating top-notch technology to make learning less complicated.

What can you do with a Health & Physical Activity Leadership degree?

With a Health & Physical Activity Leadership degree, you can pursue varying career paths, including:

  • Adventure/Outdoor Educator
  • Athletic Director
  • Athletic Coach
  • College Professor
  • Fitness Instructor
  • Health Teacher
  • PE Teacher
  • Professional Sports Scout
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Athletes Business Manager

Health and Physical Activity Leadership Salary and Career Information

You may want to become a physical education teacher at a local school (K-12), or perhaps you’re interested in becoming a coach or fitness instructor. Below are additional career paths you might consider with a Health and Physical Activity Leadership degree from Wellstar College at Kennesaw State University.

Double Owl

Double Owl Pathway

Double Owl Pathways allows undergraduate students to obtain their undergraduate and graduate degrees at significantly lower costs and in less time than pursuing each degree separately. KSU offers a variety of Pathways to choose from various disciplines, allowing students to graduate sooner and get a head start on their future careers.

Double Owl Pathways

Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education

Kennesaw State University
Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education
Convocation Center, Room 3003
Mail Drop #0202
590 Cobb Ave NW
Kennesaw, GA  30144-5591

Phone: 470-578-6216

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