100-Year Anniversary

The Department of Health and Exercise Studies is proud to celebrate 100 years of dedication to students’ wellbeing in 2023. Originally the Department of Physical Education, the department was established in 1923 and the two-year physical education requirement for freshmen and sophomores (PE 101 and 102) was quickly implemented for graduation.

Today, the department of 30 faculty serves approximately 13,000 students with over 100 different course options via approximately 600 course sections annually. Per the NC State General Education Program (GEP) requirement, undergraduate students must complete two credit hours in Health and Exercise Studies. The department also offers four academic minor programs: Coaching Education, Health, Outdoor Leadership and Sports Science.

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Historial Timeline

About Us

Meet Our Team

Minor Programs

HES Celebrates 100 Years of Expanding Student Opportunities

To endure, change, adapt and improve over a time span that vast is an impressive feat, but that’s exactly what the NC State Department of Health and Exercise Studies (HES) has accomplished.

Fly Fishing, Bowling and Lots of Swim Tests

Happy 100th Birthday, Health and Exercise Studies! Here are some alumni’s favorite memories of their time in P.E.

Wonderful 100: Department of Health and Exercise Studies

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Department of Health & Exercise Studies, founded in 1923 as the Department of Physical Education and Athletics.

Wolfpack Outfitters celebrates 100 years of Wolfpack Wellbeing with classic PE t-shirt

To celebrate, Wolfpack Outfitters and the Health and Exercise Studies department have collaborated to reimagine the iconic NC State Physical Education t-shirt that students and alumni have coveted for years.

Throwback Physical Education T-shirt

The Department of Health and Exercise Studies has partnered with Campus Enterprises to reimagine the iconic NC State Physical Education t-shirt for its 100-year anniversary celebration. Shirts are available for purchase the Wolfpack Outfitters Bookstore and online.

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