The sedentary lifestyle and its consequent metabolic and cardiovascular complications now assume a considerable public health burden in the United States. The promotion of physical activity for people of all ages has become a top priority on public health agendas around the world. The master of public health (MPH) degree program in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences develops and trains graduate students to integrate physical activity into the core of public health practice. The program encompasses an ecological perspective on the role of physical activity in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of chronic diseases at the community, national, and global levels. The program is designed to train students as public health scientists and practitioners in order to assist public and private agencies with program development and evaluation related to physical activity, health promotion, and disease prevention.<br><br>The goals of the MPH in the field of physical activity in public health are to ensure that graduates:<br><br>Understand the pathophysiology of selected chronic disease processes.<br>Understand exercise physiology and the role of physical activity and exercise in health promotion and disease prevention.<br>Develop skills in physical activity assessment using state-of-the-art technology.<br>Utilize epidemiological methods to develop and test hypotheses pertaining to physical activity and health and disease outcomes at the population level.<br>Develop skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions for improving physical activity at the community level.<br>Appreciate the role of public health policy in altering physical activity patterns at the community level.