Reduce health risks and improve quality of life for individuals and communities.
Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior contribute to the development of, and the morbidity and mortality from numerous chronic diseases. There is a growing national demand for professionals who understand the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity and have the knowledge and skillset to promote and program physical activity to targeted populations effectively.
The M.S. in Physical Activity & Chronic Disease is an interdisciplinary Master's Degree, with coursework in the Departments of Health & Movement Science and Public Health. This 33-credit degree program prepares graduates for a career dedicated to promoting and programming physical activity as community health workers or other public/private sector health promotion positions. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this emerging field, graduates of this interdisciplinary program are uniquely qualified for careers in physical activity promotion and programming at the community and population levels.
Topics Covered
- Exercise Science Foundations
- Behavior Change in Health and Physical Activity
- Physical Activity Programming and Evaluation
- Health Promotion Strategies in Physical Activity
- Epidemiology, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease
Program Features
- No program prerequisites
- 100% Online
- Discounted tuition for all of New England (MA, VT, RI, NH, & ME) and New York and New Jersey
- Accelerated (4+1) options available to qualified students for students in our Health Science and Exercise and Sport Science undergraduate degree programs
- Opportunities to get involved with faculty research
- Individualized advisement to focus education on student goals
- Experience in physical activity assessment and measurement
- Objective measurement (e.g. Actigraph accelerometers, ActivPal)
- Subjective measurement
Careers
The MS in Physical Activity & Chronic Disease uniquely prepares students for opportunities post-graduation which include the following:
- Physical activity programming and assessment:
- Community Health Worker
- Non-profit organizations
- Hospital
- Industry (corporate) wellness
- Health promotion and education
- Community-based participatory research
- Health and wellness coaching
- Doctoral Programs in Exercise Science, Public Health, or similar fields
Typical Job Titles
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Physical Activity Coordinator
- Public Health Educator
- Wellness Program Manager
- Chronic Disease Prevention Specialist
- Health and Fitness Specialist
- Lifestyle Coach
The program of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease provides a coursework that perfectly incorporates continued education needed for both Exercise Science, and Public Health fields. In this program, the classes I took provided an in-depth look to the health promotion and planning guidelines for the public health field, while also maintaining focus to the benefits of physical activity in its relation with community health goals. This program is perfect for students like me, who want to continue their education in health and movement sciences, but gain both real life practice and education in community outreach and health promotion resources.
Jessica Case, '23
Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, M.S.
Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, M.S.
The Masters of Science in Physical Activity and Chronic Disease program at Southern opened a broad door in the real world for me. I was able to explore multiple different options when it came to my next steps after graduating. The faculty members are not just instructors; they are mentors who genuinely invest in their students' success, providing guidance, support, and invaluable insights derived from their own extensive experience. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and growth I have experienced through this program, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to elevate their academic and professional trajectory. I now look forward to conquering corporate fitness as I was fortunate to land a position with EXOS in Pfizer of Groton, CT. Thank you Southern, go owls 😊
Karlie Rowe, '24
Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, M.S.
Physical Activity and Chronic Disease, M.S.
School / College
College of Health & Human Services
Department
Health and Movement Sciences
Contact
Dr. Kristie Rupp
Elizabeth Schwartz, MPH