Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Emphasis in Human Performance and Fitness

Learn by Doing

Dedicated labs in kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior feed directly into 150-hour field internships.

Programming for Real People

Evidence-based training for the populations you'll serve: athletes, rural communities, older adults, and clients with special needs.

A Supportive Cohort

As a small, close-knit cohort, you'll work directly with faculty, mentor peers in the lab, and build professional connections through internships and community service.

This program is for students who want to turn a fascination with how the body moves and performs into a career — future strength coaches, personal trainers, wellness coordinators, and performance specialists who learn best with their hands on the equipment, not just in a textbook.

Introduced in Fall 2025 under the BS in Physical Education, the Human Performance & Fitness emphasis builds practical expertise through labs in structural kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior. Internships are matched to real regional demand — rural health, school PE and coaching, military and sport strength & conditioning, and personal training — so students graduate with field hours, a professional network, and a portfolio of real client work.

• Four dedicated exercise-science lab courses plus 150 hours of supervised internship
• Internships aligned to high-demand sectors: rural health, military and sport S&C, and school-based fitness
• Access to ENMU's new outdoor Fitness Court for practical, year-round training
• An active student club offering leadership roles, service projects, and peer mentoring
• Certification workshops, guest speakers, and mock professional scenarios built into the experience
• A curriculum mapped to measurable program competencies for health, wellness, and performance

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Human Performance and Fitness emphasis are prepared to design, deliver, and lead safe, evidence-based physical activity for a range of clients and settings. Program learning outcomes are assessed across core coursework, laboratory work, and the supervised internship.

• Apply knowledge of physical activity to promote health, wellness, and performance across diverse populations, including athletes, older adults, rural communities, and clients with special needs.
• Apply the scientific foundations of human movement — kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior — to fitness assessment and program design.
• Lead and promote sustainable fitness and performance behaviors as an ethical, client-centered professional.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

We are committed to helping you finance your education. In addition to grants, loans and scholarships offered by Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, there are also many scholarships for current students available through the ENMU Foundation.

Learn more about ENMU scholarships

Learning Format

Our program is designed to be completed in person. You'll be completing assignments, readings, papers, tests and projects throughout the semester.

Hands-On Experience/Special Opportunities

The Human Performance and Fitness emphasis is built around applied, hands-on experience that moves students from the lab to the field. In laboratory coursework spanning structural kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor behavior, students run their own assessments and collect and interpret real movement and performance data rather than only reading about it. That work culminates in a 150-hour supervised internship (HPE 489), placed to match each student's goals — rural health, school PE and coaching, wellness, strength & conditioning, or personal training — so graduates leave with genuine field hours, professional references, and portfolio-ready experience. Throughout, students learn from faculty who are actively engaged in field-based research in biomechanics and strength sports, and the degree offers a clear next step: preparation to continue into ENMU's graduate HPE Sport Administration program, where graduate assistantships are available.

Faculty and Advising

The program faculty are committed to responsible academic advising. This means we help you schedule the right courses at the right time to help you take the next step in your professional career. Faculty members are specialists in their areas of advising and are current with requirements for admission into the programs they advise so you get the academic advice you need, when you need it.

Academic Help and Resources

We want to make sure you get the support you need. We offer flexible tutoring services, including the ENMU Writing Center which is available to help you improve your writing and help you clearly communicate for written, school-related projects and assignments.

We also have online databases, journal article, and eBooks accessible through the Golden Library. ENMU librarians are available virtually, via phone and email to provide assistance, so you'll always have the help you need to take advantage of library resources, even if you're sitting in front of your computer at home.

See our library services

Service and Mutual Interest Organizations

If you would like to get more involved, ENMU provides the opportunity to use the skills you'll gain while working on your degree to hold leadership positions in our many organizations. At ENMU, you will be able to explore more than 50 student organizations that range from academic, cultural, multicultural, service, special interest and fraternities/sororities.

If you see a need for an organization we don't have, you can even start your own.

See student organization information

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for dynamic roles that promote fitness, performance, and wellness across schools, clinics, gyms, corporate settings, and rural communities.

Some potential careers open to graduates are:

• Personal trainer or fitness instructor
• Strength and conditioning coach (sport or military)
• Wellness coordinator or corporate fitness specialist
• Exercise physiologist or performance specialist
• Community health and fitness program director (rural focus)
• School or youth sport coach with a performance emphasis
• Cardiac rehab or medically supervised fitness roles (with further credentials)

Career Services for Students

Career Services offers free job placement assistance to all ENMU students, so if you are looking for a job, we can help you find it.

We offer many resources including various workshops throughout the year covering topics like resume writing, interviewing for jobs, and more! As an ENMU student, if you’re interested in individual help for things like networking, social media for success, resume writing, and mock interviews, our staff is available to help.

Read more about career services for students

High School Courses

If you are interested in majoring in this program at ENMU, your high school curriculum should include:

• Biology or Anatomy & Physiology
• Chemistry or Physics
• Health or Physical Education
• Mathematics (Algebra or Statistics)
• Psychology or Sociology

Additional Degree Information

You can find additional information about the program, including the courses you will take in this program at Eastern.

Human Performance & Fitness Degree Guide