School of Education—Department of Health and Physical Activity
The Department of Health and Physical Activity (HPA) focuses its academic, research, and service efforts on promoting physically active lifestyles and other health-related behaviors to prevent disease and enhance quality of life across the lifespan. HPA's expertise has attracted research funding in the areas of physical activity epidemiology, obesity prevention and treatment, perceived exertion, fitness training, health promotion and motor performance.
The faculty expertise combined with collaboration with other entities with the University of Pittsburgh such as the School of Nursing, the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Public Health, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hospital network provides for a state-of-the-art and innovative academic, research and clinical experience.
Contact Information
- Graduate Coordinator
- Department of Health and Physical Activity
- 140 Trees Hall
- 412-648-8320
- Fax: 412-648-7092
- E-mail: hpa@pitt.edu
- www.education.pitt.edu/hpa
Admission
Applicants to programs in the Department of Health and Physical Activity must meet all of the
requirements in addition to specific departmental
requirements. Application
material should be directed to the University
of Pittsburgh, Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services,
5500 Posvar Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 or telephone
412-648-2230.
The programs in exercise physiology and developmental movement have a rolling admissions policy that assures that all completed applications will be reviewed regularly. However, priority for admissions and financial aid decisions will be given to those applications that are sent in by established deadlines.
The Department of Health and Physical Activity offers financial aid in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and tuition scholarships. Applicants may apply by calling the department at 412-648-8320 or via e-mail at hpa@pitt.edu. Additional information on admissions, financial aid, registration, and other student services may be found at Admissions and Enrollment Services.
Degree and Certificate Options and Requirements
For detailed degree requirement information for the below degrees, refer to the school section on Master’s Degree Requirements or Doctoral Degree Requirements.
The department offers Master of Science degrees in health and physical activity and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in health and physical activity with specializations (areas of concentration) as noted below.
A University certificate are offered in adapted physical education.
Master of Science Degree (Health and Physical Activity)
Three areas of concentration are offered in health and physical activity: developmental movement, Exercise Physiology - Health and Fitness, and Exercise Physiology - Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease. Two focus areas are available with each option, clinical/practitioner track and research track.
- Research Focus: The coursework and related experiences are tailored to prepare a student to pursue a doctoral degree or to seek employment in an academic or research setting.
- Clinical/Practitioner Focus: The coursework and related experiences are tailored to prepare a student for employment involving health, physical activity, and fitness program implementation.
Developmental Movement
Provides training in the area of control and learning of motor skills, the underlying neurological correlates, and the sociological context of human movement. Students select either a Clinical/Practitioner or Research Focus, with each focus area requiring 36 credits.
Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease
Provides training in the area of the prevention and treatment of chronic disease with an emphasis on physical activity and health. Students select either a Clinical/Practitioner or Research Focus, with each focus area requiring 36 credits.
Health and Fitness
Provides training in the promotion of optimal health and fitness through physical activity. Students select either a Clinical/Practitioner or Research Focus, with each focus area requiring 36 credits.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Exercise Physiology)
This degree requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits, 30–36 credits in core courses, 9–18 credits in a collateral area, 15 credits in research methodology, 6 credits in research practicum, variable credits in electives, and 18 credits of dissertation research.
