The Department of Health and Physical Education offers a new major in Health and Excercise Science, training students for careers in fitness training and managment, public health, community health education, and other health-related fields. Choose from one of four tracks:
Track 1 - Community Health Promotion: Students learn to develop, implement and interpret health risk assessments; plan, develop and evaluate individual and group educational programs; and manage and administer health promotion programs. Courses within this track prepare students to qualify and pass the certified health education specialist (CHES) exam.
Track 2 - Wellness and Fitness: Emphasizing scientific theory, research and application to human movement, graduates of the Wellness and Fitness track pursue advanced degrees in exercise science or work in applied settings such as athletic programs, programs for school-age children, fitness centers, and adult fitness programs. Courses prepare students to qualify and pass the certified personal trainer (ACSM) or health/fitness instructor (ACSM) exams.
Track 3 - Environmental and Occupational Health: Learn to identify, evaluate and control environmental conditions that may have an adverse impact on human health in the Environmental and Occupational Health track. Graduates will be well prepared to work in federal, state and local health departments, environmental protection agencies, and other related fields. Courses prepare students to qualify and pass the Registered Environmental Health Professional (REHP) exam.
Track 4 - Exercise Science: In the excercise science track, students prepare to pursue graduate school in athletic training, exercise physiology or physical therapy.
Secondary Education Students are licensable in Health, and Physical Education and Exceptional Needs Mild Intervention with a school setting of middle/secondary (6 through 12). Courses within the Community Health Promotion track prepare students to qualify and take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. Courses within the Wellness and Fitness track prepare students to qualify and take the certified personal trainer (ACSM) or health/fitness instructor (ACSM) exam. Courses within the Environmental and Occupational Health track prepare students to qualify and take the examination for the designation of Registered Environmental Health Professional (REHP).
