Strength and Conditioning
Bluffton’s strength and conditioning major is an approved program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association Education Recognition Program.
Health, fitness & sport science
Devoted to a healthier world
Is athletics a big part of your life? What if you could continue that connection beyond your playing days? What if by doing so you’re able to help others maintain health? Reach their full athletic potential?
More than observing
For as long as he can remember, Carson Kindred ’24 has wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach. His internship at Findlay High School allowed him to do just that.
“It is something I really enjoy. I thought with these degrees, my experience and my background, I could give athletes some extra help and experience.”
Football intern
Grace Fillinger ’23, a sport management major with a concentration in communication, served as a recruiting and marketing intern for Bluffton’s football team.
“I learned what specific aspects go into recruiting someone and basically how to be a good recruiting coach and finding the right people for your team.”
Embracing opportunities
Angel Velasco Urbina ’25, an exercise science major, was planning to attend a university near home when he got a last-minute recruiting call from Bluffton’s men’s soccer coach.
“I’ve seen what athletic trainers can do for athletes, and I want to help other athletes. Exercise science is a stepping stone to athletic training with some extra classes.”
Majors in Health, Fitness and Sport Science can lead to careers directly supporting health such as strength and conditioning, athletic training, health rehabilitation; or to careers encouraging movement indirectly, such as athletic administration, sports broadcasting or health and physical education.
Majors
An internship is a vital component of all Health, Fitness and Sport Science majors.
There will be ample opportunity for you to participate in intercollegiate and intramural sports as well as other clubs and activities.
Prepare to teach health and physical education in grades K-12. HPE students experience classroom situations beginning your first semester. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to test for all necessary state certifications and licensure for teaching in public and private school systems.
There is great need for HPE licensed teachers. Statistics from 2024 show that 763
health teachers and 1,185 physical education teachers left the profession in the past
five years, while only 370 new health teachers and 590 new physical education teachers
were licensed.
COURSES:
Requirements for a major in HPE
A solid foundation in exercise science can lead to careers such as personal training, strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, athletic training, physical therapy, coaching, sport psychology, chiropractic medicine, sport nutrition, physical and health education and more.
COURSES:
Requirements for a major in exercise science
Four-year guideline to complete the exercise science major in four years
Due to the increasing interest and participation in sport and physical fitness, there is a need for qualified leadership in the area of sport management. Graduates will find careers in athletic administration, corporate fitness, sporting goods retail, sports information, YMCA/YWCA and more.
CONCENTRATIONS:
Sport communication:
Additional communication courses provide a foundation for a career in sports news
writing, news casting or as a sports information director.
Sport organization:
Additional business courses provide an introduction to the management side of sports.
COURSES:
Requirements for a major in sport management
Four-year guideline to complete the sport management major
Become a leader in the sport or recreation industries.
Graduates find career opportunities in settings such as resorts, convention and visitor centers, private recreation clubs, non-profit community organizations, municipal parks and recreation departments, sports facilities, outdoor/adventure centers, cruise ships and professional meeting and event planning.
COURSES:
Requirements for a sport & recreation leadership major
Four-year guideline to complete a sport and recreation leadership major
The strength and conditioning major has a strong scientific base and is approved by
the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Graduates will be prepared for professional careers as a strength and conditioning specialist training athletes for improvement of athletic performance or a group exercise instructor, personal trainer or health-fitness specialist who works with individuals to improve health and fitness.
COURSES:
Requirements for a strength & conditioning major
Four-year guideline to complete a strength and conditioning major
Minors
Are you interested in health, fitness & sport science but leaning toward a major in another department? Consider a minor in coaching, wellness, exercise science or recreation management.
Persons other than exercise science majors may be interested in a minor in coaching. The minor requires a coaching internship.
Explore courses for a minor in coaching
Persons other than the food and nutrition majors (who have a wellness concentration) may be interested in a minor in wellness.
Explore courses for a minor in wellness
The recreation management minor allows students to develop recreation skills and interests through a variety of avenues and to better understand the importance of leisure in our society.
Explore courses for a minor in recreation management
Persons looking to stay connected to sports may be interested in a minor in exercise science.
Explore courses for a minor in exercise science
Strength and Conditioning
Bluffton’s strength and conditioning major is an approved program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association Education Recognition Program.