University of Alabama At Birmingham

Good health is extremely important, and our society desperately needs people like you to offer expert advice in the fields of sports and wellness. With this degree, you’ll learn how to be a wellness educator, clinical exercise physiologist, exercise specialist, strength and conditioning professional, and more.

Before you begin, it's important to identify your career goals, so we can map out the curriculum that best suits your needs. For instance, with the traditional curriculum option, you'll be working toward your Class A teaching certificate. Your courses will include Curriculum Development, Teaching Strategies, and Adapted Physical Education. In the end, you'll complete a thesis or sit for a comprehensive exam. On the other hand, if you plan to pursue doctoral studies or physiology research opportunities, the exercise physiology concentration is better for you. You'll take courses in statistics, qualitative methods, and physiology, among others.

• The job outlook for health educators is growing at a rate of 16 percent, which is much faster than average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).