Program Overview

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Health Promotion Concentration Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science

The concentration in Health Promotion will teach you the science and art of helping people evaluate their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health.

What is Health Promotion?

Our Health Promotion concentration is geared to prepare you for rewarding careers helping people improve their health and overall wellness. This concentration combines rigorous science-based coursework in kinesiology, neurophysiology, exercise physiology, health promotion programming, behavior change, global health, and disease prevention. Our program requirements and curriculum will prepare you for the next step in your education and career goals. Students also have the opportunity to complete their B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and Master of Public Health degree in just 5 years through the Colorado School of Public Health.

Career Opportunities

Many of our Health Promotion graduates start their careers in rapidly growing fields:

• Corporate Health and Wellness
• Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Stress Testing
• Cancer Rehabilitation
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Personal Training and Human Performance
• Public Health
• Nonprofit Agencies
• Military Training
• Health Promotion and Wellness Programs
• Behavior and Lifestyle Management Programs
• Sports Management and Marketing

Health Promotion Concentration Classes

Major in Health and Exercise Science, Health Promotion Concentration

Effective Fall 2025

Freshman

• CRN| Course Name| AUCC| Credits
  • CO 150| College Composition (GT-CO2)| 1A| 3
  • FSHN 150| Introduction to Human Nutrition| | 3
  • HES 145| Health and Wellness for Everyone (GT-SS3)| 1C| 3
  • HES 202| Introduction to Exercise Physiology (GT-SC2)| 3A| 3
  • MATH 1181| College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)| 1B| 1
  • MATH 1241| Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)| 1B| 1
  • MATH 1251| Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)| 1B| 1
  • Biology - Select one group from the following:| | 4
    • Group A:| |
      • LIFE 102| Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1)| 3A|
    • Group B:| |
      • BZ 110| Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2)| 3A|
      • BZ 111| Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1)| 3A|
  • Chemistry - Select one group from the following:2| | 5
    • Group A| |
      • CHEM 107| Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2)| 3A|
      • CHEM 108| Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1)| 3A|
    • Group B| |
      • CHEM 111| General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)| 3A|
      • CHEM 112| General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)| 3A|
  • Arts and Humanities| 3B| 3
  • Elective| | 3
  • Total Credits| | 30

Sophomore

• CRN| Course Name| AUCC | Credits
  • BMS 300 or HES 300| Principles of Human Physiology
    Physiology for Clinical Health Professions| | 4
  • HES 207| Anatomical Kinesiology| | 4
  • HES 3033| Biomechanics and Neurophysiology| | 3
  • PSY 100| General Psychology (GT-SS3)| 3C| 3
  • SPCM 200| Public Speaking| | 3
  • Arts and Humanities| 3B| 3
  • Historical Perspectives| 3D| 3
  • Electives| | 6
  • Total Credits| | 29

Junior

• CRN| Course Name| AUCC | Credits
  • CO 301B| Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)| 2| 3
  • HES 232| Techniques of Teaching Group Exercise| | 1
  • HES 340| Exercise Prescription| | 3
  • HES 354| Theory of Health Behavior| | 3
  • HES 386| Practicum–Adult Fitness| | 2
  • HES 403| Physiology of Exercise| 4B| 3
  • HES 404| Physiology of Exercise Laboratory| 4B| 1
  • MKT 305| Fundamentals of Marketing| | 3
  • HES ** Upper Division Elective| | 3
  • Statistics - Select one course from the following:| | 3
    • STAT 201| General Statistics (GT-MA1)| 1B|
    • STAT 301| Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods| |
    • STAT 307| Introduction to Biostatistics| |
  • Health Promotion Guided Electives: Select a minimum of 6 credits from the guided electives list below.| | 6
  • Total Credits| | 31

Senior

• CRN| Course Name| AUCC | Credits
  • HES 345| Population Health and Disease Prevention| | 3
  • HES 434| Physical Activity Throughout the Lifespan| | 3
  • HES 455| Health Promotion Programming| 4A,4C| 3
  • HES 486| Practicum–Wellness Program Management| | 3
  • HES 487| Internship| | 12
  • Electives4| | 6
  • Total Credits| | 30
  • Program Total Credits:| | 120

Health Promotion Guided Electives List

Code | Title | AUCC | Credits
---|---|---|---
ACT 205 | Fundamentals of Accounting | | 3
ANTH 340 | Medical Anthropology | | 3
or ANTH 379 | Evolutionary Medicine and Human Health
BMS ** Upper-Division course(s) | | 2-6
BUS 205 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Business | | 3
or BUS 220 | Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)
CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | | 3
ECON 325 | Health Economics | | 3
FACS 320 | Finance-Personal and Family | | 3
FIN 200 | Personal Finance and Investing (GT-MA1) | 1B | 3
FIN 305 | Fundamentals of Finance | | 3
FSHN 200-500 course(s) | | 3-6
HDFS 101 | Lifespan Development (GT-SS3) | 3C | 3
HDFS 201 | Perspectives in Gerontology | | 3
HDFS** Upper-division course(s) | | 3-6
HES** Upper-division course(s) | | 1-6
LIFE 103 | Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1) | 3A | 4
OT 215 | Medical Terminology | | 1
PH 121 | General Physics I (GT-SC1) | 3A | 5
PSY 252 | Mind, Brain, and Behavior | | 3
PSY 260 | Child Psychology | | 3
PSY ** Upper-Division course(s) | | 3-6

Cardiac Care Internship Requirements

Students enrolling in internships in cardiac care must take HES 420 prior to the internship. Students may use elective credits in the sophomore, junior, or senior year to do so. A minimum grade of B (3.000) is required in HES 420 prior to internship placement.

Course List Code | Title | Credits
---|---|---
HES 420| Electrocardiography and Exercise Management| 3
It is recommended, but not required, that students enrolling in cardiac care internships take the following courses using elective credit:|
BMS 420| Cardiopulmonary Physiology| 3
BMS 450| Pharmacology| 3

Major in Health and Exercise Science, Health Promotion Concentration, Three Year Accelerated Plan

Major in Health and Exercise Science, Health Promotion Concentration, Three Year Accelerated Plan

For learners looking to graduate a year earlier to pursue professional or graduate work in an accelerated time frame, we have designed a three year concentration track to allow you to take summer courses to graduate early!

First Year – Required Courses

40 Total Credits – Fall and Spring

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
Arts and Humanities (Cat. 3B) | 3 |
MATH 118 College Algebra in Con II | 1 | Math Placement Tool or MATH117
MATH 124 Logarithmic & Exp Func | 1 | Math Placement Tool or MATH118
MATH 125 Numerical Trigonometry | 1 | Math Placement Tool or MATH118
CO 150 College Composition | 3 | Directed Self-Placement Survey (DSP)
PSY 100 General Psychology (Cat. 3C) | 3 |
HES 145 Health & Wellness | 3 |
FSHN 150 Survey of Human Nutrition | 3 |
HES 202 Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 3 |

First Year – Interchangeable Courses

Pick one of the set of two courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems | 4 |
OR | |
BZ 110/111 Principles of Animal Biology/Lab | 3/1 |
CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I/Lab | 4/1 | MATH118 & Chemistry Prep or CHEM105
OR | |
CHEM 107/108 Fund of Chemistry | 4/1 | MATH117 or concurrent registration

First Year – Summer Courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
HES 207 Anatomical Kinesiology | 4 |
General Elective | 3 | See the notes tab
Diversity, Equity Inclusion (Cat. 1C) | 3 | See the notes tab

Second Year – Required Courses

40 Total Credits – Fall and Spring

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
SPCM 200 Public Speaking | 3 |
HES 303 Biomech & Neurophys | 3 | HES207, See important notes
HES 300 or BMS 300 Prin Human Physiology | 4 | CHEM107/111 & LIFE102
General Elective | 3 |
HES 232 Tech of Teaching Grp Exercise | 1 | HES207
HES 340 Exercise Prescription | 3 | See important notes
HES 354 Theory of Health Behavior | 3 | PSY100, HES145
HP Guided Elective | 3 | See HP Electives tab
General Elective | 3 | See the notes tab

Second Year – Interchangeable Courses

Pick one of the set of two courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
STAT 201/STAT 301 | 3 | See catalog
OR | |
STAT 307 | 3 | See catalog

Second Year – Summer Courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
General Elective | 3 | See the notes tab
HES 345 Pop Health & Disease Prev | 3 | HES145
HES 386 Adult Fitness | 2 | HES340, See the notes tab

Third Year – Required Courses

40 Total Credits – Fall and Spring

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
CO 301B Writing in Discipline of Science | 3 | CO150 and Junior Status
HES 403 Physiology of Exercise | 3 | HES 300 or BMS300
HES 404 Physiology of Exercise Lab | 1 | HES 403 or concurrent registration
HES 355 Integr of Health Behaviors | 3 | HES340, HES354
Historical Perspectives (Cat. 3D) | 3 | See important notes
HP Guided Elective | 3 | See HP Elective tab
HES 434 Phys.Activity Lifespan | 3 | HES 300 or BMS300
HES 486 Practicum | 3 | HES386
HES 455 Health Promotion Programming | 3 | HES355, 386, 403
General Elective | 3 | See the notes tab

Third Year – Summer Courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
HES 487 | 12 | All Coursework Complete

Required Course for ALL Cardiac Care Internship Placements

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
HES 420 Electrocardiograph & Ex Mgmt | 3 | HES 300 or BMS300 – Students must earn an A or B to intern in cardiac rehab or testing

Recommended Cardiac Rehabilitation Electives

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
BMS 420 Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 | BMS300
BMS 450 Pharmacology | 3 | BMS300 or 360, (BC351 or LIFE210)

Health Promotion Electives List

Select a minimum of 6 credit hours

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
BC 351 Principles of Biochemistry | 4 | LIFE 102 & CHEM 245
BMS 300-500 not already required: | 3-5 | See catalog
BZ 310 Cell Biology | 4 | See catalog
BZ 350 Molecular & Gen Genetics | 4 | LIFE102 & STATS
HES 300-500 not already required: | 2-5 | See important notes
LIFE 100-500 (not including LIFE102) | 3-5 | See catalog
FSHN 300-500 | 3-6 | See catalog
MATH 161 Calc for Phys Scien II | 4 | MATH124 & 160
MIP 300 General Microbiology | 3 | LIFE102 & CHEM 245 or 341
MIP 302 Microbiology Lab | 2 | MIP300 (concurrent)
MIP 315 Human and Animal Disease | 3 | LIFE102
OT 215 Medical Terminology | 1 |
PSY 252 Mind, Brain and Behavior | 3 | PSY100
PSY 260 Child Psychology | 3 | PSY100
Any PSY 300-500 (minimum 3 credit): | | See catalog
SOCR 330 Principles of Genetics | 3 | LIFE102 or BZ110

Health Promotion Electives List – Interchangeable Courses

Pick one of the set of two courses

Course Name | Credits | Prerequisites
---|---|---
MATH 155 Calc for Bio Science | 4 | MATH124 & 125
OR | |
MATH 160 Calculus for Phys Scien | 4 | MATH124 & 126
PH 122 General Physics II | 5 | PH121
OR | |
PH 142 Physics for Scien & Engin II | | PH141 & MATH161 or 255

Important Notes

• When selecting your general or guided electives, talk with Health Professions Advisers to determine the best choices for grad programs.
• HES 300-500 Options: HES420, HES434, HES410, HES354, HES379, HES309,
  HES432, or any HES course that is not already required.
• HES 340 prerequisites are HES145, HES207, FSHN150 & BMS300; In all courses, you must obtain a grade no lower than C.
• CHEM 341, 343 & 344 may be substituted for CHEM245/246; The 3 course series must be
  completed to receive the substitute, with a prerequisite of CHEM113.
• HES 319 – A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in the following courses, with no grades in any courses lower than C: HES 145, HES 207, FSHN 150 & BMS 300. No +/- grades will be included
  in the calculation of the GPA, thus courses with +/- will be counted as A, B or C.
• HES 478A-D prerequisites are HES340 & HES403 plus one of the following: HES307
  OR HES319. All students will enroll in HES478A (classroom capstone) and then have an
  option to apply to HES478B (research experience) or HES478C (teaching experience)
  or HES478D (UC Health experience). If selected, you will be given an override to
  reregister for new course.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Community Programs

We have outreach programs where you will have the opportunity to interact with children and adults. Learn more about our programs such as Youth Sport Camps, Adult Fitness, Fit Cancer, and the Heart Disease Prevention Program.

Performance Health Analysis

With our Performance Health Analysis program, you will participate in advanced testing to discover body composition, resting metabolic rate, training zones, endurance efficiency, and aerobic capacity.

Practicum, Internship, and Senior Capstone

Health Promotion Concentration students gain knowledge and skills from hands-on laboratory trainings, two practicums, an internship, and a senior capstone experience.

Careers

Careers in health promotion and exercise physiology are on the rise. We prepare you with skills and knowledge in human movement, physiology, exercise prescription and health behavior change. The experiential learning gained from this concentration will build your skill-set, confidence, and a comprehensive resume to become a changemaker in enhancing health, well-being, functional performance, and expanding healthspan.