Bachelor's in Health & Exercise Science

The University of Oklahoma (OU) has been a cornerstone of higher education since its establishment in 1890. As a public research university, OU has a diverse academic portfolio, offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines. OU is renowned for its vibrant campus life, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. Boomer Sooner spirit runs deep, and students engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, from cultural and athletic events to research initiatives. The university's commitment to research and innovation is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative projects that contribute to advancements in various fields. With a focus on preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving world, the University of Oklahoma continues to be a hub of academic achievement, creativity, and social responsibility.

The perception of health and exercise science has been that students are trained solely to become strength coaches, personal trainers, and physical education teachers. However, in actuality many students with undergraduate degrees in HES are also qualified to excel in many clinical and allied health professions ranging from physical therapists and health promotion specialists to surgeons, or pursue graduate degrees in exercise physiology and health promotion. Health and exercise science students learn the skills needed to enter into these and many other exciting fields or to continue their education and receive master's or doctoral degrees in exercise physiology or health promotion or in the allied health professions. The Department of Health and Exercise Science at OU is one of the few interdisciplinary programs and one of the largest in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. The program integrates the biological, physiological, medical, social, and behavioral sciences as they relate to physiological responses to exercise and other aspects of human health and lifestyle behavior. All the faculty in the department specialize in the areas of exercise physiology or health promotion. This unique curriculum and instruction in both the classroom and the laboratory helps students develop the skills needed to work in sports- or health/medicine-related fields. Many of OU's Health and Exercise Sciences students choose to continue their education after receiving their bachelor's degrees and enter fields such as medicine, health education, physical therapy, dietetics, public health, or nursing.