Health and Physical Education (HPE)Health and Exercise Science

The Health and Physical Education (HPE) program at Gustavus Adolphus College blends course work with field-based experiences to prepare students for a variety of education-, health-, fitness-, and sport-related professions. The HPE program includes a rigorous set of theoretical foundations courses as well as a core set of applied pedagogy courses.

Please contact Dr. Aaron Banks or Dr. Bonnie Reimann for advising (planning) or any questions at abanks@gustavus.edu or breimann@gustavus.edu

Depending on a variety of factors, HPE majors can choose from 2 “tracks”: one track that will lead to a license to teach health and physical education in Minnesota, and one that does not include a license. Students who complete a major in Health & Physical Education (HPE) without seeking state teaching licensure, are preparing for work with people of all ages in a variety of movement-related settings. Program graduates may choose to go through a licensure program at a later date and/or pursue graduate study in Kinesiology-related disciplines. Many students pair the HPE major with a second academic major, such as Exercise Physiology, or pursue a Coaching or Public Health minor.

Students who complete a major in Health & Physical Education (HPE) with state teaching licensure are typically preparing for work in K-12 educational settings. Program graduates teach, and often coach, at the K-12 level, seek Adapted Physical Education licensure, and/or pursue graduate study in Kinesiology-related disciplines. Teaching majors must complete all requirements of the HPE major, and all courses required for licensure, including student teaching (see Department of Education). Admission to the HPE Teaching major is by application and interview in the Department of Education, normally during the sophomore year.