University Catalog 2025-2026

EXPLORE PROGRAMSAPPLY

Health (Minor)

The Department of Health and Exercise Studies offers a 15 credit hour health minor that is designed for undergraduate students wishing to pursue careers in health-related professions and for students wishing to gain in-depth knowledge in various contemporary health-related topics for their own personal development. The minor provides students with theories, concepts, and practical skills concerning health behavior and includes a practicum to apply theory to practice.

Recent practicum experiences have included projects with:

  • AIDS Alliance
  • American Cancer Society
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center
  • Local middle school health classes
  • Lucy Daniels Center
  • NCSU Athletics
  • Olympus Athletic Club
  • Summer Camps 
  • University Dinning/Nutrition
  • NCSU Wellness and Recreation 

For more information about this program, visit our ​website.

Contact

Department of Health and Exercise Studies
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 8111
Raleigh, NC 27695-8111

Joy Kagendo
Lecturer and Health Minor Coordinator
North Carolina State University, Box 8111
1161A Wellness and Recreation Center
Raleigh, NC 27695-8111
919.515.3361 (main)
jikagend@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

  • A grade of “C-” or better required in each course.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the minor.
  • All Health Minor courses (16 credit hours) must be taken for a letter grade to complete the Health minor.
  • The minor will require a minimum of ten (10) hours taken at North Carolina State University.
  • HESM 285 Personal Health will be a prerequisite for HESM 375 Health Program Planning and Evaluation.
  • HESM 285 Personal Health and HESM 375 Health Program Planning and Evaluation will be prerequisites for HESM 377 Methods of Health Promotion.
  • A maximum of TWO (2) courses may be used (double-counted) towards both departmental major requirements and minor requirements.
  • No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.
Required Courses7
HESM 285
Personal Health
HESM 375
Health Program Planning and Evaluation
HESM 377
Methods of Health Promotion
HESM 300
Practicum in Health 1
Elective Courses 29
BIO 105
& BIO 106
Biology in the Modern World
and Biology in the Modern World Laboratory
or BIO 181
 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity
GN 301
Genetics in Human Affairs
MB 200
The Fourth Horseman: Plagues that Changed the World
NTR 301
Introduction to Human Nutrition
HESM 212
Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
HESM 213
Human Sexuality
HESM 284
Human Health Issues
HESM 286
Nutrition, Exercise, and Energy Balance
HESM 287
Stress Management
PRT 200
Health, Wellness and the Pursuit of Happiness
SOC 381
Sociology of Medicine
Total Hours16
1

Students must complete HESM 285 Personal Health, HESM 375 Health Program Planning and Evaluation, HESM 377 Methods of Health Promotion and at least 6 hours of electives from the Health Minor before taking HESM 300 Practicum in Health.

2

The elective courses may be selected in consultation with your Health minor advisor. The following are a list of approved elective courses for your consideration.