Undergraduate Programs

The Health and Sport Studies Undergraduate Program provides students with exemplary learning experiences in the promotion of health and the historical and cultural context of sport and physical activity.  Students majoring in Health and Sport Studies choose one of two emphasis areas: Health Promotion or Sport Studies. There is a selective admission process for each track.

In conjunction with Health Iowa/Student Health Service and the Division of Recreational Services, the Department of Health and Sport Studies now sponsors the UI Healthy Living Network Living-Learning Community for undergraduates.  Students in this community are committed to their health and choose a lifestyle that supports achieving their individual potential in all aspects of wellness.

Sport Studies

Sport Studies offers a liberal arts education structured around the study of sport in its historical and contemporary contexts.  Coursework provides students with the critical skills necessary to understand the cultural significance of sport and its relationship to other social institutions such as the media, the economy, the family, education, and politics.  Race, class, and gender differences in the sport experience are also explored. Sport Studies provides specific coursework options for students interested in careers in sport journalism, sport management, or coaching .

Health Promotion

Health Promotion integrates the theory and applied study of health education with the biological, behavioral, and social factors that affect health. Iowa’s health promotion program is especially known for its content emphases in exercise prescription, active living, dietary assessment, and healthy eating. The curriculum blends natural science and social science approaches to focus on empowering individuals and building healthy communities through changes in lifestyle and the environment.  The US Labor Department projects rapid growth in employment opportunities in health promotion.   Access the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn more.

Further Information

Health Promotion Application Form (.doc) and Sport Studies Application Form (.doc)

Departmental Scholarship Application Form (.doc)

Departmental Internship Manual (.pdf)

Curriculum Sheets for Health Promotion (.pdf) or Sports Studies (.pdf)

Healthy Living Network Living-Learning Community