about the department

Department of Exercise and Health Science (ExHS) is headquartered on the Boca Campus and offers interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degrees in exercise and health science. The ExHS programs are designed to prepare students for careers in clinical, corporate, and community/non-profit based physical fitness and health science, post graduate study in applied health sciences (e.g. physical therapy, physician assistant) as well as advanced study in human biology/physiology. Ultimately, whether in the role of practitioner or scientist the ExHS graduate is uniquely prepared to impact the health and well-being of their fellow citizens. Importantly, the impact of ExHS graduates includes the potential to reduce health care costs when those they touch adopt a healthy lifestyle and dramatically reduce the occurrence and severity of diseases (obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer) associated with sedentary living.

Exercise science deals with the study of the immediate and long term effects of physical activity on the human body. Health science encompasses all of the components involved in the total wellbeing of an individual, exploring the social, spiritual, biological, emotional, physical, and environmental aspects of optimal health. Exercise and Health Science (ExHS) is a curriculum which covers a wide spectrum of issues involving human physiology and its proper physical and psychological maintenance. Additionally, the curriculum addresses various disease states and their responses to healthy life-style changes. The FAU ExHS program offers a wide variety of course work with an excellent foundation for all aspects of exercise and health science.