Public Health and Exercise Science
Your Future Awaits!
Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of health?
Do you enjoy working with and helping people?
Do you value making a difference in the community?
Do you have a passion for exercise and fitness?
Do you want to learn the science of human performance?
Do you enjoy working with and helping people?
Public Health
The public health degree prepares students to assess a community’s overall health and develop programs that lead to healthier environments and better health for communities and individuals. This degree will prepare you for entry-level community health and public health education and promotion positions in settings such as public health departments, non-profit agencies, corporations, and hospitals. The Public Health degree could also lay a foundation for advanced degrees in public health, social work, nursing, medicine, and other allied health fields.
Exercise Science
The exercise science degree prepares students to work with individuals and groups to assess fitness and recommend exercises for overall health, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and sports performance.
Pre-Clinical Track &
Fitness and Human Performance Track
The exercise science pre-clinical track and fitness & human performance track will prepare you for entry-level positions in health care support areas such as hospital cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy assistance, in corporate fitness centers, in athletic and health focused fitness clubs, and with organizations that provide fitness and activity programming such as YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs.
These tracks will also prepare you to apply to graduate school in occupational and physical therapy, dentistry, medicine, chiropracty, and related human movement sciences.
EXS Pre-education non-licensure (BS degree at WOU, master’s teacher licensure program: master’s degree and teaching license)
EXS pre-education non-licensure and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students take all the same EXS coursework at WOU to increase content knowledge of teaching physical education (PETE Core), but take different pathways to becoming a licensed physical education teacher.
If you want to be licensed to teach with a master’s degree, follow the PETE track, graduate, and pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching program..
Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE program + undergraduate teacher licensure program: BS degree and teaching license)
If you want to be licensed to teach with a bachelor’s degree, you should follow the Physical Education Teacher Education track in which you pursue a B.S. in Education with the physical education specific concentration. See the undergraudate teacher licensure program for more information.
Hear what our graduates have to say!
Western Oregon’s phenomenal PETE program not only shapes you into an outstanding physical education teacher, it teaches you how to change others’ lives for the better.
– McKenzie (Reeser) Hunt –
I feel Adapted Physical Activity opened my eyes to what adaptations in physical rehabilitation can look like. My interest in OT was really sparked in our internship where I was able to work directly with an OT and experience hands on treatment, evaluation, and working with an interdisciplinary team.
– Kenzie Falck, OTR/L OT –
Here are just a few things our Public Health graduates have become:
- Social Services Coordinators
- Wellness Program Coordinators
- Health Navigators
- Prevention Specialists
- Community Outreach Coordinators
- Substance Abuse Educators
- Pre-Nursing
- Pre-Med
- Pre-Physician Assistant
Here are just a few things our Exercise Science graduates have become:
- Corporate Fitness Instructor
- Conditioning Specialist
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Physical Education Teacher
- Sports Coach
- Personal Trainer
- Recreation Specialist
- Cardiac Rehab Specialist
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Med
- Pre-Physician Assistant
Meet some of your professors and explore classes!
We, the faculty of the Division of Health & Exercise Science at WOU, denounce any instances of bias, violence, discrimination, and hate. As a division, we commit to advance effective and actionable ways to raise awareness and spark action to address prejudice, stigmatization, hate, implicit biases, and any ‘isms’ with the goal of building an inclusive and equitable community, promoting the safety and civility within and external to the community of Western Oregon University.
Public Health Sample Degree Plan
You will meet with an advisor before registering each term to help you stay on track for graduation. Below you can see an example of the classes you may be taking each year, but your plan will be individualized to meet your specific goals.
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| BI 134 Introductory Anatomy & Physiology | 4 | None |
| BI 135 Introductory Anatomy & Physiology | 4 | BI 134 |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| HE 227 Community and Public Health | 4 | None |
| HE 343 Health Data Analysis & Data Visualization or MTH 243 Probability and Statistics or BA 243 Business Statistics | 4 | MTH 110 or MTH 111 |
| HE 285 Foundations of Health Education | 4 | HE 227 (or Co-requisite) |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| HE 330 Theory of Health Promotion | 4 | HE 227 or HE 285 or instructor approval |
| HE 334 Health Disparities & Soc. Determinants of Health | 4 | None |
| HE 346 Infectious Disease and Injury Prevention | 4 | None |
| HE 348 Chronic Disease Prevention and Control | 4 | None |
| HE 360 U.S. Healthcare System & Health Policy | 4 | None |
| HE 375 Epidemiology | 4 | MTH 110 or MTH 111 |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| HE 448 Research Methods | 4 | HE 375 & 343 or BA 243 or MTH 243 |
| HE 471 Program Planning | 4 | HE 375 & HE 343 or BA 243 or MTH 243 HE 330, HE 448 & BI 134, BI 135 or BI 234, BI 235 |
| HE 487 Assessment and Program Evaluation | 4 | HE 471 or instructor approval |
| HE 498 Community Health Internship | 8 | HE 487 & HE 471 |
| HE Electives | 16 | UD HE courses with advisor approval |
Exercise Science Sample Degree Plan
You will meet with an advisor before registering each term to help you stay on track for graduation. Below you can see an example of the classes you may be taking each year, but your plan will be individualized to meet your specific goals.
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| EXS 230 Foundations of Exercise Science | 4 | None |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| EXS 310 Motor Behavior | 4 | None |
| EXS 370 Sociological and Physiological Aspects of Physical Activity | 4 | EXS 230, EXS 310 |
| EXS 371 Kinesiology | 4 | BI 234, MTH 110 or MTH 111 |
| EXS 245 Foundations of Strenght Training and Conditioning | 4 | None |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| EXS 373 Phsiology of Exercise | 4 | BI 234, 235, 236, EXS 371 |
| HE 426 Sports and Exercise Nutrition | 4 | HE 325 |
| EXS 444 Lifespan Adapted Physical Activity | 4 | EXS 230, EXS 310, EXS 371 |
| EXS 477 Advanced Programming for Sport and Fitness | 4 | EXS 373 |
| EXS 483 Biomechanics | 4 | EXS 230, EXS 310, EXS 371 |
| EXS Electives | 16 | Required advisor approval for courses, may include courses outside the Division of Health and Exercise Science |
| Required Core Classes | Credits | Prerequisites |
| EXS 455 Physical Activity & Aging | 4 | EXS 230, EXS 310, WXS 371 |
| EXS 465 Motivational Interviewing | 4 | |
| EXS 485 Exercise Testing and Prescription | 4 | EXS 373, HE 426 |
| EXS 488 Exercise Motivation and Adherence | 4 | EXS 370 |
| EXS 498 Internship in Exercise Science | 4 | All core courses completed; Senior standing, EXS 485, Instructor approval |
| EXS Electives | Required advisor approval for courses, may include courses outside the Division of Health and Exercise Science |
Have Questions? Contact an Advisor!
Dr. Doris Cancel-Tirado
Professor, Health & Exercise Science
Email: canceltd@wou.edu
Office: 241
Ask Dr. Cancel-Tirado about:
- Public Health Major & Minor
- School Health Education
Dr. Gay Timken
Professor, Health & Exercise Science
Email: timkeng@wou.edu
Office: 238
Ask Dr. Timken about:
- Exercise Science
- Exercise Science Pre-Education
- Physical Education Teacher Education Program
Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Winney
Associate Professor, Health & Exercise Science
Email: taylorj@wou.edu
Office: 233
Ask Dr. Taylor-Winney about:
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
Everything You Need to Help You Succeed
We understand school can be stressful. Which is why WOU has a plethora of services and programs designed to help students succeed in their classes. We have everything you need conveniently located right on campus.
Wolf Store
Find required (and recommended) books and materials at the Wolfstore website.
Free Tutoring
Did you know WOU offers free academic tutoring to all students?
Online Learning Resources
Many students end up taking online or hybrid classes. Check out the Student Success and Advising Office’s Tech Support and Online Learning Resources.
Library
WOU’s library is more than just a place to study. It also holds a 24 hour computer lab with multiple printers to meet every student’s needs (you get 250 print credits each term). So you don’t have to worry about the purchasing your own computer or printer, WOU’s got you covered!
Housing
Students applying to WOU within one year of graduating high school are required to live on campus for one academic year. Residence hall life adds a dynamic dimension to the experience that our residents enjoy while attending Western Oregon University.
Service Learning and Career Development
SLCD is dedicated to helping students with everything they need to build a successful career. From helping you write your resume to finding local & on-campus jobs, SLCD is here to help students succeed.
WOU Organizations
Get more out of your college experience by attending events and joining a club/organization! WOU has many organizations, student groups, and seasonal events students enjoy attending and the best part is, most of them are Free.
SEP
The Student Enrichment Program provides services and a supportive environment to equip first generation, low income and students with disabilities with skills to be successful in college.
The Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides reasonable accommodations to ensure that students with disabilities have access to WOU and its programs.
MSSP
The office of Multicultural Student Services & Programs is committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of historically underrepresented & underserved populations by providing educational opportunities and outstanding programming for ethnically and culturally diverse students. MSSP strives to enrich the undergraduate experience and foster a supportive environment for students of color to live, learn and grow as active members of the Western Oregon University community and as individuals.
Abby's House
Abby’s House mission is to provide the WOU community with educational programming, information, and referral services designed to promote equity and non-violence.
Student Health and Counseling Center
The SHCC provides quality medical care, sexual health services, mental health counseling, health promotion, education & prevention, and referral services to all students.
