Description
The Applied Health Science Option prepares students for professional certification and employment in two areas - exercise and fitness and/or community health education. Depending on choice of coursework, successful graduates of this option should possess knowledge and skills to qualify for: 1) American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Instructor’s Certification; 2) National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification, or equivalent; 3) ACSM Exercise Specialist: and/or 4) Certification as a Health Education Specialist. Students should be prepared to assess health needs, plan, implement and evaluate health promotion activities in a variety of settings.
Students in Applied Health Science at the University of Montana can expect to participate in a required internship their senior year and to have a solid foundation in exercise and fitness prescription and/or program planning.
Applied Health Science graduates can expect to work in a variety of professional settings. These areas include: public health departments, corporate wellness programs, university and college student health centers, fitness centers, Tribal health services, nonprofit associations, city/county employee health programs, wellness programs for the aging, grant work, health institutes, and government agencies.
Listed below are selected examples of jobs that Applied Health Science graduates have obtained:
- STD/HIV Specialist - State Public Health Department
- Nutrition Educator - Women, Infant, and Children's (WIC) Nutrition Program
- Wellness Specialist - Corporate Wellness Program
- Health Educator - Indian Health Services
- Special Events Coordinator - YMCA Recreational Programs
- Housing Coordinator - Missoula AIDS Council
- Fitness Coordinator - City County Fire Department
- Program Planner - Rural Institute on Disabilities
- Health Educator - American Cancer Society
- Nutrition Educator - Missoula Aging Services
- Health Educator - Public Health Department; Obesity Prevention Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation - City/County Hospital
- Coordinator of Tobacco Free Ravali - County Public Health Department
- Health Specialist - Alaska Flower Essences
- Strength & Fitness Coach - University Athletics
- Health Educator - University Student Wellness Program
- Wellness Coordinator - City County Staff Wellness
- Safety Director - City County Health & Safety
- HIV Prevention Specialist -County Public Health Department
- Coordinator - Montana Targeted Outreach HIV Prevention Project
- School Fitness Director - District school
- Fitness Director - Athletic & Fitness Clubs
- Corporate Fitness Specialist - Private Corporation
In addition, Applied Health Science students have gone on to graduate school in Community or Public Health Education and/or in a field related to Health Promotion and/or Applied Exercise Science. Students have also pursued graduate work in Social Work, Counseling, Nursing, Chiropractic school, Physical Therapy and Medical school.