Wellness and Physical Education
Program Description
The Wellness and Physical Education Division offers accredited certificates and transferrable degrees in the areas of health and wellness while also providing high-quality health enriching courses for our community. We are committed to supporting individuals who advocate healthy lifestyles and education through knowledge of human physiology, exercise training, sport theory, and lifestyle behavior modification with a commitment to becoming professional health leaders.
An Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in Exercise and Wellness prepares students for transfer to a university and provides a basic knowledge in exercise science, health, and physical education that will prepare them for employment in the fitness industry.
An Associate in Arts (AA) Degree in Sports Management prepares students for transfer to a university and develops basic skills in sports management and marketing.
An Occupational Certificate in Fitness Training Professional provides students with work experience in various fitness leadership positions in the health/fitness industry or to become self-employed in health/fitness training and consultation.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program may lead to a variety of employment opportunities, most of which require continued higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and annual mean wages in Arizona according to a May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Physical Therapist Aides Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area. |
$30,480 |
| Dietetic Technicians Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. |
$32,630 |
| Recreaction Workers Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members. |
$33,560 |
| Community Health Workers Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs. |
$44,250 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise. |
$47,070 |
| Health Education Specialists Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs. |
$51,400 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training. |
$53,680 |
| Recreational Therapists Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity. |
$53,790 |
| Coaches and Scouts Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes’ strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes’ technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category. |
$54,150 |
| Athletic Trainers Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care. |
$55,990 |
| Exercise Physiologists Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility. |
$57,000 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Athletes Represent and promote athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients. |
$57,610 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research. |
$62,720 |
| Postsecondary Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research./small> |
$71,910 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks. |
$87,340 |
| Physical Therapists Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury. |
$94,700 |
Contact Information
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Peabody | Coordinator of Wellness and Physical Education | (928) 344-7540 | jane.peabody@azwestern.edu |
| Lindsay Smith | Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director/Dean of Healthcare Programs | (928) 344-7577 | Lindsay.Smith@azwestern.edu |