Behavioral Health and Nutrition including
Health & Physical Education * Health Behavior Science * Applied Nutrition * Dietetics * Nutritional Sciences

The Department offers a Bachelor of Science Degree featuring five undergraduate majors: Health Behavior Science, Health and Physical Education, Applied Nutrition, Dietetics, and Nutritional Sciences. Minors in Coaching Science, Leisure Service Management, Nutrition, and Public Health are also available. The Department also offers a fifth-year Dietetic Internship, which is required for students completing the Dietetics major who wish to qualify for the Registered Dietitian (R.D.) credential. Acceptance into the Dietetic Internship program is competitive.

Health Behavior Science majors explore and analyze how human actions, cognitions, communications, and environment affect health, chronic disease, relationships and quality of life across the lifespan. More specifically they work to promote healthy lifestyles through education, assessing needs, counseling and coaching individuals, developing and implementing programs, policy change, creating media and materials, and evaluating the impact and outcome of their efforts.
As medical costs skyrocket, it has become clear that the health of individual Americans has an effect on society as a whole. The cost of treating preventable conditions is passed on to everyone via increased taxes and health insurance premiums. Health behavior science majors and health promotion professionals emphasize improvements in:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Positive Attitudes, Behaviors and Lifestyle Choices
• Stress Management

This may seem simplistic, but students who take on health behavior science as a career become thoroughly familiar with the intricacies of physical and mental health and the challenges of motivating individuals, communities, and societies toward health improvements.

The Health and Physical Education major is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching physical education and/or health education. Students who complete the University of Delaware approved Health and Physical Education Teacher Education program receive an institutional recommendation for K-12 teacher certification in Delaware, with reciprocal certification in numerous other states. Graduates are employed as elementary, middle, and high school physical education teachers, health educators, and coaches.

The Applied Nutrition major is designed for students with a strong interest in nutrition who are looking for a liberal arts education. Students selecting this major often have a second major and/or a minor to broaden the scope of their educational preparation.

Completion of the Dietetics major is the first step leading to certification as a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The University of Delaware's Didactic program in Dietetics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. Students in this major complete the professional practice requirement for the R.D. after the Bachelor of Science degree by completing a 5th year ADA dietetic internship.

The Nutritional Sciences major is for students with a strong interest in nutrition who are seeking a rigorous, sciences-based curriculum to prepare for careers in dentistry, veterinary and human medicine, laboratory research in nutrition, or positions with companies or agencies requiring a strong science and human nutrition background.

The Minor in Coaching Science is offered to help students develop a sound understanding of the psychological, scientific, organizational, and safety-related aspects of coaching. A practicum in the student's chosen sport is required to further enhance the development of coaching skills and philosophy.

The minor in Leisure Service Management is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills needed for management positions in public, private, commercial, and nonprofit leisure service agencies.

The Minor in Nutrition is for students with a strong interest in nutrition who for various reasons have selected another major.

The Minor in Public Health provides an interdisciplinary opportunity to develop practical skills in program development and increase knowledge in the areas of social systems and policy as well as leadership. Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private sectors, communities and individuals.

For additional information, call (302) 831-2252 or (302) 831-2265.

Sample Job Titles

Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles under section 187 for additional related careers.

Enhancing Employability

Some Employers of Behavioral Health and Nutrition Majors

*schools                 	
*state/federal government	
*hospitals/schools
*tourism agencies        	
*parks & recreation offices	
*churches      
*campgrounds                  	
*travel agencies	
*community organizations
*fitness clubs/resorts/spas  	
*business and industry 

Other Sources of Information

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD)
www.aahperd.org/

American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
www.aahperd.org/aapar/

American Hiking Society
www.americanhiking.org

ExerciseJobs.com
www.exercisejobs.com  

Human Kinetics
www.humankinetics.com/

National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NRSA)
www.iatf.org/nirsa.htm

National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA)
www.nrpa.org/

National Wellness Institute (NWI)
www.nationalwellness.org/

NCAA Job Opportunities
ncaamarket.ncaa.org/search.cfm

Related HNES Web Links
www.udel.edu/HNES/car-opp.htm

Resources for Teachers
www.udel.edu/CSC/students/teachers.html

Special Olympics
www.specialolympics.org

Therapeutic Recreation Directory
www.recreationtherapy.com

The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com

Wellness Connection
www.wellnessconnection.com

Resources for Finding Employment

• Blue Hen Careers -- Internships, Part-time, Summer, and Full-time Jobs -- All in one place
• The Hospital Phone Book (CSE 287.7)
• Health Care Job Explosion! (CSE 289)
• Career Opportunities in the Sports Industry (CSE 346)
• The Sports Business Directory (CSE 350)
• Careers in Focus - Sports (CSE 355)
• Opportunities in Recreation and Leisure Careers (CSE 359)
• Opportunities in Sports and Fitness Careers (CSE 360)
• Careers in Focus - Coaches & Fitness Professionals (CSE 361)
• Careers for Health Nuts & Others Who Like to Stay Fit (CSE 362)
• Extraordinary Jobs in Sports (CSE 363)
• Careers for Sports Nuts & Other Athletic Types (CSE 365)
• Great Jobs for Physical Education Majors (CSE 366)
• Outdoor Careers (CSE 485)
• Career Opportunities in the Nonprofit Sector (CSE 654)
• How to Get a Teaching Job (ED 38)
• Job Search Handbook for Educators (ED 40)
• www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html CSC's Internet Resources

Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies for Contacting Employers, Graduate School Information, and where to get assistance is available in the CAREER LIBRARY located at 401 Academy Street.

Last updated: January 26, 2011 (CH)