Physical Activity and Health
Physical Activity and Health (M.A.)
Move toward a successful career in health promotion! Learn to develop and implement intervention strategies to promote physical activity and public health policy. You will also gain skills in development and implementation for individuals with specific health risks, quality assurance, management, and more in the Physical Activity and Health degree program, taught entirely in English.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- International degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in English
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
Physical Activity and Health provides students with knowledge and experience in promoting health through physical activity and exercise for the prevention and rehabilitation of diseases.
Taught in small classes, the two-year degree program emphasizes how to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies for the promotion of physical activity. Through active participation, students gain knowledge and experience in:
- developing intervention strategies for the promotion of physical activity and public health policies
- implementing physical activity and health promotion measures in specific settings such as companies and schools, and for specific target groups such as migrants and older people
- developing and implementing physical activity and health promotion programs for individuals who are susceptible to certain diseases and health risks such as back pain and osteoporosis
- quality assurance and management of specific physical activity and health promotion measures
- scientific evaluation of specific physical activity and health promotion programs
-
The MA degree program is divided into three phases.
In the first phase, students are introduced to fundamental knowledge in the disciplines of sports science, rehabilitation science, public health, research methods, statistics and intercultural communication. In this phase, students are equipped with the skills necessary to acquire in-depth knowledge in the following complex and multidisciplinary areas of physical activity and health promotion.
In the second phase, students acquire advanced and in-depth knowledge in the subject areas and are introduced to key concepts related to social science aspects of physical activity and health promotion. In this phase, students begin project-based learning activities and complete an internship.
In the third phase, students complete an internship in the field of physical activity and health promotion and put the knowledge they have gained into practice. Instruction consists mainly of project-based learning in which students address real-world problems. In addition, students write their Master’s thesis during this phase.
Overview of the individual modules
- Module 1: Introduction to Physical Activity and Public Health (1st semester)
- Module 2: Health Enhancing Exercise I (1st semester)
- Module 3: Rehabilitation Science (1st semester)
- Module 4: Basics in Methodology (1st and 2nd semesters)
- Module 5: Communication and Co-operative Planning (1st and 2nd semesters)
- Module 6: International Physical Activity and Health (2nd semester)
- Module 7: International Physical Activity and Public Health (2nd semester)
- Module 8: Health Enhancing Exercise II (2nd and 3rd semesters)
- Module 9: Conceptualisation, Implementation, Evaluation I (2nd semester)
- Module 10: International Internship (2nd and 3rd semesters)
- Module 11: Public Health Diagnostics (3rd semester)
- Module 12: Diagnostics/Assessment and Rehabilitation and Prevention (3rd semester)
- Module 13: Conceptualization, Implementation, Evaluation II (3rd and 4th semesters)
- Module 14: Master’s thesis (3rd and 4th semesters)
-
- The Master’s degree program offers students an intercultural and interdisciplinary learning environment. The proportion of foreign students in the program is about 75 percent.
- They are taught by sports scientists, rehabilitation scientists, political scientists and sociologists.
- The Institute of Sport Science and Sport is an internationally renowned scientific center for health and physical activity and is involved in numerous national and international research projects.
- Teaching staff on the Master’s degree program are often consultants for the World Health Organization, the European Commission and the German Federal Ministry of Health.
-
The degree program provides students with a broad overview of the field of physical activity and (public) health. Students who complete the degree program acquire sound research skills and are trained to work in multicultural/transdisciplinary teams on real world public health/ health promotion problems related to physical inactivity.
Students are able to effectively market themselves with these skills which can be utilized in launching their professional career in diverse fields. After the first year in the degree program, students are advised to take the opportunity to use the internship and Master’s thesis to reflect upon potential working fields of interest and assess the varying options within the job market.
-
This degree program is offered in English only.
-
- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
-
31.05.
- Content-related admission requirements
-
Physical Activity and Health is an international Master’s degree program open to students with a first university degree (Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement).
Degrees from the following programs will be accepted:
- programs focusing on health or physical activity (Diplom, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree), such as sports science, medicine, health sciences, or physiotherapy from a German or international university
- other programs focusing on health or physical activity (Diplom, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree) such as psychology, education science or sociology from a German or international university, or other comparable degrees
- The degree must have been completed with the minimum grade “gut” (good) or equivalent.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- No DSH, English (level B2, CEFR)
- General language skills
-
English B2
German language proficiency is not required for enrolment, but must be studied within the first year at FAU on at least a minimum level (A1). A basic knowledge of German is highly recommended, especially for the project-based classes in the 2nd year. Among others, the Language Center of the University offers free German classes for all levels of proficiency.
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.