Dual-track student at UNIFIT honored as the top student in her class in the B.A. in Health Management program

Last Friday, Emely Klasen was honored as the top student in her class in the dual “Bachelor of Arts in Health Management” degree program. She completed the practical component of her studies at the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) at RPTU’s UNIFIT fitness center in Kaiserslautern.

“Being named valedictorian means a great deal to me, as it reflects my hard work and dedication over the past few years,” says Klasen, who began her studies in 2021 and successfully completed them in September of this year. She was presented with the award for top of her class during the “Aufstiegskongress,” a fitness- and health-focused event organized by the DHfPG in Mannheim.

During her studies, Klasen focused primarily on topics in exercise science and management, though she particularly enjoyed the courses on medical fundamentals, marketing, quality management, and the psychology of health behavior. “At UNIFIT, I was able to apply my theoretical knowledge directly to customer service, group classes, the training floor, and general operations. This practical experience will definitely enrich my future career path,” says Klasen, describing the benefits of her dual degree program.

In her bachelor’s thesis, titled “Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Strength Training as an Intervention for Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Individuals,” the 23-year-old examined how effectively strength training influences weight loss compared to other measures, such as calorie deficit and endurance training.

Klasen is active not only in her studies and career but also in her free time, where volleyball and fitness training are among her main hobbies. “That helps me find a good balance between my studies, work, and free time.”

As she nears the end of her studies, Klasen sums it up: “I’ve learned a great deal, not only academically but also personally. Now I’m looking forward to continuing to apply the knowledge I’ve gained in practice and taking on new challenges.”

The DHfPG is an accredited private university specializing in dual Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs with a focus on management and economics in the fields of sports, fitness, and health. In addition to the B.A. in Health Management degree program at UNIFIT, RPTU also offers the DHfPG’s B.A. in Sports Economics degree program at Unisport.