Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science
The Bachelor of Science in health sciences with a concentration in healthy lifestyles and fitness science is the first program in the nation focused on preparing students for both the health and wellness coaching and fitness science fields. By combining exercise, wellness, nutrition and health sciences, this program provides you with a solid background in preventative health care. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to become a leader in the expanding fields of health, personal wellness and health promotion.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/08/2024
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
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What is a health sciences program with a concentration in health and fitness?
The online health sciences degree uses an interdisciplinary approach to provide you with the skills needed to work in the preventative side of health care. You’ll use lifestyle coaching, physical activity and health care education to improve the health of the community you serve.
You’ll also explore fitness, nutrition, healthy eating, stress management and cultural aspects of health and research-based practices in health and wellness coaching. After completing the healthy lifestyles and fitness science program concentration, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a wide range of employment opportunities within the health and wellness fields. You’ll also be prepared to continue your education in diverse health care fields, such as nutrition, exercise science, psychology and public health.
Can I customize this online health sciences degree?
Yes. When enrolled in the health sciences program, you have the opportunity to complete courses from six diverse focus areas, allowing you to study subjects you're most interested in. To graduate from this program, you must take four focus area courses, made up of one lower-division course and three upper-division courses. If interested in multiple focus areas, you can mix and match courses. Courses included in each focus area can be found here. Focus areas include:
- Health Care Compliance and Regulations: Students in this focus area are generally interested in studying the historical context of racial and ethnic health disparities, learning about delivery of health care in the U.S. and analyzing how policies are implemented in society.
- Health Education and Promotion: Students in this focus area are generally interested in learning about theory-based methods of health promotion and how to analyze, interpret and report data. This track is ideal for students working toward becoming a certified health specialist.
- Health Leadership and Management: Students in this focus area are generally interested in gaining management skills, bringing about significant organizational change and learning about timely sustainability topics.
- Health Psychology: Students in this focus area are generally interested in learning how to make psychological contributions to health promotion and illness prevention, analyzing human social behavior and understanding and improving their intellectual and behavioral skills.
- Healthy Nutrition: Students in this focus area are generally interested in studying principles of food preparation and learning how to best communicate evidence-based nutrition messages to help promote change. This track is ideal for students looking to discuss political, ethical, social and cultural issues inherent in the U.S. food system.
- Integrative Health: Students in this focus area are generally interested in learning about chronic disease in the U.S., studying chronic disease prevention and analyzing issues related to family and professional caregiving.
What will I learn in this health sciences program?
In the healthy lifestyles and fitness science concentration, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge in the areas of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness practices. You'll also learn about the core competencies of the health and wellness coaching profession. These include skills in relationship-building, active listening, powerful questioning, positive psychology and motivational interviewing.
Professional licensure and certification
Eligibility to sit for the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC) is based on completing an NBC-HWC-approved health and wellness training and education program. This program is intended to lead to certification in any state. The health and wellness coach profession is not licensed. NBC-HWCs can practice anywhere in the world as long as they are abiding by the local laws surrounding health coaching.
Will my healthy lifestyles and fitness science degree concentration say 'online'?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
Your concentration in healthy lifestyles and fitness science will appear on both your diploma and transcripts.
Health and wellness courses
Through this program’s health and wellness courses, you’ll gain skills in motivational interviewing, positive psychology, goal setting, active listening and relationship building. Required courses examine human nutrition and the foundation of health and fitness science, while elective courses cover conflict management, violence prevention, body image and community health. To graduate, you’re also required to take 12 credit hours of focus area courses. Courses include:
CHS 100: Optimizing Your Health and Performance (SB)
CHS 300: An Exploration of Well-Being (SB)
HSC 440: Health Coaching Concepts and Skills
HEP 350: Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors
EXW 335: Physical Activity and Physiological Concepts
HEP 466: Health Promotion Program Management and Administration
HEP 102: Foundations of Health Education and Health Promotion
EXW 101: Foundations of Health and Fitness Science
What jobs can you get with a healthy lifestyles and fitness concentration?
As rates of preventable chronic diseases and associated costs continue to rise, there’s been an increased focus on strategies to support behavior change in health care. With the ongoing emphasis on preventative health care, career opportunities in health care are expected to increase. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to fill these in-demand roles in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, public health agencies and non-profit organizations. Potential career paths include, but are not limited to:
Coach
Community Health Worker
Fitness Instructor
Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
Health Care Support Worker (General)
Learn from professionals in health science
Our faculty brings a high-level of expertise to every research project. In addition to cutting-edge approaches to research, we’re focused on creating a better future for people. We’re lifelong learners with a goal to improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of our research focuses on:
- Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
- Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Harnessing big data to improve patient outcomes.
- Using state-of-the-art cognitive, behavioral and neuroscience techniques to study the components of human communication.
- Utilizing advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.
Learn from professionals in health science
Our faculty brings a high-level of expertise to every research project. In addition to cutting-edge approaches to research, we’re focused on creating a better future for people. We’re lifelong learners with a goal to improve health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of our research focuses on:
- Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
- Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Harnessing big data to improve patient outcomes.
- Using state-of-the-art cognitive, behavioral and neuroscience techniques to study the components of human communication.
- Utilizing advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.
Admission requirements for the healthy lifestyles and fitness science degree concentration
first-year student
You are considered a first-year student for application purposes if you have not attended college at all, or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours (with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA).
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Accredited online health science degrees from a respected institution
In the College of Health Solutions, students and faculty research solutions to pressing global health challenges while preparing the health workforce of the future. Ongoing partnerships with the medical community offer students access to professional resources and networking opportunities with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health and more.
6,500+
students.
250+
Barrett honors scholars.
160+
faculty members.
$14.5 million
in research expenditures.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
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