Why This Program?
Preventative action is the key to lifelong health and wellness.
The Human Performance degree is based on exploring the human response to physiological stress caused by exercise. Students examine the relationship between health, wellness and physical activity to help people of all abilities start, maintain and improve an active lifestyle.
The Human Performance degree at Briar Cliff is designed to prepare students to work in many industries and environments that value physical activity and wellness. This degree prepares students to take the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam and the ACSM Exercise Physiologist exam, among others.
Briar Cliff also offers degrees in Kinesiology and Human Performance and Management that provide different paths to careers in the health care or sports performance and fitness industry.
- Know Your Professors: As a Human Performance student at Briar Cliff, you will learn through hands-on experiences using industry-standard equipment and technology in small lab classes. Our full-time faculty teach all classes and labs from freshman through senior level and will help you realize your educational and career goals by getting to know you well. Our goal is your success.
- Experiential Learning: In the Human Performance program, you will acquire at least 150 hours of experiential learning through practicum and internship classes, allowing you to explore different areas of exercise science and coaching while providing service and gaining valuable clinical experience. Through these opportunities, important relationships are fostered that promote the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all.
- Prepare for Your Career: The capstone of the Human Performance degree at Briar Cliff is KHP 430 Personal Training. In this class you will use our fitness center lab to work one on one with a client to design and progress a fitness program over the course of a semester. This course pulls together all the skills and knowledge you have gained throughout the curriculum and prepares you for any certification exam you may decide to take after graduating.