The Mission of the Department of Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation is consistent with the College’s Mission in its commitment to providing students with excellent professional, ethical, and exciting educational experiences through modern, effective pedagogical and scholarly approaches. Baccalaureate programs offered in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) and Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation (with concentrations in Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation Management)  provide a broad discipline approach for optimal promotion of physical activity, recreation, fitness, health, wellness, and quality of life for all. The curricula are balanced in theory and application and are specifically designed to provide students with experiential education that promotes leadership, teamwork, service learning, values, diversity, and lifelong learning. To best serve our students, curricula have been designed to reflect current market demands. Depending on the specific area of study, graduates from this program will possess exceptional knowledge and skills and be well prepared for careers and/or graduate school in the following areas:

• Medicine
• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Dentistry
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Fitness Trainer/Technician
• Corporate Wellness
• Cardiac Rehab
• Teaching/Coaching
• Travel/Tourism
• Recreational Sports Administration
• Federal and State Land Management Agencies
• Programs for At Risk Youth
• Resource Management

In addition to preparing students for professional opportunities or graduate study in related fields, the program is intended to prepare all students for a variety of professional certifications offered in their respective fields of study. The faculty in the department work collaboratively and strive to support the Mission through our commitment to outstanding teaching, mentorship, service, and professional and scholarly development.

The Department of Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation offers two 4-year degrees. One offers a BA or BS in Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation with a choice of emphasis in Exercise Science or Outdoor Recreation. Students completing the Exercise Science emphasis will be qualified for several different graduate schools and a variety of jobs including fitness and health promotion, exercise testing, corporate wellness, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehab, etc. This major could also lead to acceptance into medical, dental, physical therapy and other professional or graduate schools. 

The Exercise Science curriculum has been designed to address student needs and market demands. Students have the opportunity to practice and understand what they learn in the classroom. Our Biomechanics and Human Performance Laboratories contain state-of-the-art equipment used for lab classes and student research projects. Our equipment includes Biodex Balance System SD and a Biodex System 4, Vicon motion analysis with 12 cameras and 3 force plates, Bod Pod, 16 channel wireless EMG system, treadmills, cycle ergometers, metabolic carts, and other equipment to facilitate labs and research projects.

Students completing the Outdoor Recreation emphasis are qualified to become park interpreters, resort recreation directors, corporate recreation managers, or community recreation directors. Supported by a strong background in recreation theory, with courses like Outdoor Leadership and Recreation Risk Management, students also choose from a variety of land and water-based skills courses, including park management, program planning, backpacking, mountain biking, avalanche awareness, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking. More than a career, a major in Outdoor Recreation teaches leadership for life because graduates exit the program with enhanced personal responsibility and ability to overcome barriers.

The second Bachelor degree is the Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) degree.

Graduates from the UVU Physical Education K-12 Teacher Education (PETE) program will be specifically qualified to teach developmentally appropriate physical education to the increasingly diverse population of students in the K-12 schools in the State of Utah. Their preparation will help meet the anticipated demands for quality elementary, as well as secondary, physical educators in the twenty-first century. Successful completion of this program leads to Licensure in the State of Utah.

The department also offers a minor in Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation which can be combined with other college-wide bachelor degrees. The minor provides students with a broad academic knowledge of the foundational and scientific principles in the field of Exercise Science and can lead to careers in the fitness industry.