Health & Wellness
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Courses & Curriculum
The major will provide a BS degree that will allow graduates the opportunity to be employed in facilities offering personal health and fitness programs ranging from health clubs and corporate fitness/wellness to physician-based wellness programs. Student eligibility for certification through organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and American Council on Exercise will be available following completion of the degree. Graduates of the program may also qualify for management positions within these facilities with an additional business background.
Many students in health and exercise-related fields go on for graduate school. Students in this major may take electives to meet competitive admissions requirements for graduate programs in related fields. Additionally, a minor in an area such as business could allow the student to pursue management positions in the fitness industry or lead them into areas related to sport administration. Through the use of guided electives, students will have the ability to complete pre-requisites for other health care professions. Examples include professions such as physical therapy, chiropractic, physician assistant, and for an exceptional few medical school.
Admission to these programs is extremely competitive and requires a strong academic record and standardized test results and many also expect evidence of leadership, service/volunteerism, written and oral communication skills and a working knowledge of the health profession. Students must work closely with the Canisius College Pre-Med director for advisement and the professional school of interest to determine the curriculum electives needed to satisfy necessary prerequisites. View additional suggested courses. The Health and Wellness major may also be combined with another major within the college, such as athletic training or marketing. A plan of study must be devised as early as possible with an academic advisor in the chosen majors.
Admission and Graduation Requirements
The major is open to all students accepted to the College. Completion of the major shall require all major courses to be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or above.
Core Curriculum
View complete information about the Core Curriculum.
| BIO 114 & Lab Human Biology: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 115 & Lab Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology | 4 credits |
| ATH 170 Emergency Care | 3 credits |
| HED 205 Wellness and Fitness | 3 credits |
| HHP 235 Kinesiology | 3 credits |
| HED 115 Basic Nutrition | 3 credits |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology I | 3 credits |
| PSY 102 Introduction to Psychology II | 3 credits |
| HED 220 Healthy Behaviors | 3 credits |
| HHP 336 Physiology of Exercise | 3 credits |
| HHP 336 Lab Physiology of Exercise | 1 credits |
| HED 337 Exercise Principles | 3 credits |
| HED 425 Evolution of Disease and Illness | 3 credits |
| ATH 398 Statistics and Research Design | 3 credits |
| HHP 350 Organization and Administration of Health and Wellness | 3 credits |
| HHP 420 Exercise Testing and Prescription | 3 credits |
| HED 461 Psychology of Sport and Mental Health | 3 credits |
| HHP 498 Internship in Health and Wellness | 3 credits |
| Required Major Credits | 53 Credits |
| Electives- enough to achieve 120 credits for graduation | |
| Total | 120 Credits |
Specialization Tracts for Major in Health and Wellness
Strength and Conditioning and other Health/Wellness Professions
- Entrepreneurship Dual Major
- Marketing Dual Major
- Business Management Minor
- Human Resources Minor
Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics Preparation for Masters/Doctoral Programs
- BIO 111 Introduction to Biology I and Lab (4 cr)
- BIO 112 Introduction to Biology II and Lab (4 cr)
- CHM 111 General Chemistry I and Lab (5 cr)
- CHM 112 General Chemistry II and Lab (5 cr)
- PHY 201 General Physics I and Lab (4 cr)
- PHY 202 General Physics II and Lab (4 cr)
- MAT 111 Calculus I (4 cr)
- MAT 112 Calculus II (4 cr)
Pre-Health Care Professions
- BIO 111 Introduction to Biology I and Lab (4 cr)
- BIO 112 Introduction to Biology II and Lab (4 cr)
- CHM 111 General Chemistry I and Lab (5 cr)
- CHM 112 General Chemistry II and Lab (5 cr)
- CHM 227 Organic Chemstry I and Lab (5 cr)
- CHM 228 Organic Chemistry and Lab (5 cr)
- PHY 201 General Physics I and Lab (4 cr)
- PHY 202 General Physics II and Lab (4 cr)
Note: Courses may be added or deleted based upon individual needs. Specialization tracts depend on required coursework in a MS program or area of employment.
Course Descriptions
Go to the Undergraduate Course Catalog for specific course descriptions
Typical Schedule
Freshmen Year
| Fall | Spring | |||
| BIO 114 and Lab (Field 6) | 4 | BIO 115 L | 4 | |
| ATH 170 | 3 | HED 205 | 3 | |
| FYS 101 | 3 | ENG 101 | 3 | |
| RST 101 | 3 | PHI 101 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | Total Hours | 16 | |
Sophomore Year
| Fall | Spring | |||
| HHP 235 | 3 | HED 115 | 3 | |
| PSY 101 | 3 | HED 337 | 3 | |
| COM 201 (Oral Communication) | 3 | HED 220 | 3 | |
| Field 1 | 3 | Field 2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | Total Hours | 15 | |
Junior Year
| Fall | Spring | |||
| HHP 336 & 336L | 4 | HED 425 | 3 | |
| HHP 350 | 3 | ATH 398 | 3 | |
| Attribute | 3 | Field 4 | 3 | |
| Field 3 | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | Total Hours | 15 | |
Senior Year
| Fall | Spring | |||
| HHP 420 | 4 | HHP 498 | 4 | |
| HED 461 | 3 | Core Capstone | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |||
| Total Hours | 15 | Total Hours | 13 | |
Career Opportunities
The Health and Wellness curriculum has been designed to prepare students for work in a variety of health fitness contexts.
Commercial Programs
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Health fitness facilities
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Personal Training
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Membership Sales and Marketing
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Facility Management
Corporate Programs
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Work site health promotion
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Health risk appraisals
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Exercise programming
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Smoking cessation
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Nutrition education
Community Programs
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Physical Activity/Health promotion
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American Heart Association
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American Cancer Society
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YMCA
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American Red Cross
Clinical Programs
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Health care facilities
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Physical therapy
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Sports medicine
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Cardiac rehabilitation
Strength and Conditioning Programs
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Sport related programs (High school, Collegiate, Professional)
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Strength and conditioning coach
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Speed coach
