Exercise Science and Sport

Faculty

David A. Hair, M.Ed., M.S., Chair
Ronald W. Deitrick, Ph.D., Program Director of Exercise Science
Virginia M. Corcoran, Ed.D., R.D.
Paul T. Cutrufello, Ph.D. candidate
Debra L. Fetherman, Ph.D.
Stephen L. Klingman, M.S.
Aukje Kluge Lamonica, Ph.D. candidate
Georgios A. Stylianides, Ph.D.
Andrew Stuka, M.S.

Overview

The Department of Exercise Science and Sport consists of three areas: a major in Exercise Science, a minor in Coaching and physical education activity classes. The department also offers a Nutrition Studies Concentration.

Physical Education

The Physical Education program seeks to improve the physical-fitness levels of each student, introduce new activities, or improve and increase students’ recreational skills through our offerings of over 30 different courses. Emphasis is placed on instruction in a variety of popular sports and recreational activities, especially those with carry-over value for post-college years.

Every regularly enrolled student must satisfy the 3-credit Physical Education requirement unless excused by the department. It is possible to be excused from Physical Education classes by application to the department if (a) a physician certifies that a student, for medical reasons, should not engage in vigorous physical activity; (b) the department deems it advisable; (c) the student is a veteran. Grading is (S) Satisfactory or (U) Unsatisfactory.

There are a variety of formats for the Physical Education classes: one-half semester for .5 credit, three times per week for 1 credit, two times per week for 1 credit, and one time per week for 1 credit. Students may select from among the following: tennis, yoga, skiing, soccer, racquetball, weight training, aerobics, hapkido, volleyball, running, karate, self-defense for women, advanced life-saving, water-safety instructor, jazz dance, golf, tai chi, badminton, wellness, Latin and swing dance, cardio fitness, beginning/intermediate swimming, fitness swimming, first aid/CPR/AED, karate, wellness, white water rafting and judo.

Nutrition Studies Concentration

The concentration in Nutrition Studies is designed to encourage critical thinking, engage students in dialogue, and increase self-awareness of what their nutritional status may be. It is designed to increase the knowledge base of the depth and implications of nutritional problems and their effects on chronic illnesses. Students in health-related fields such as Exercise Science, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Community Health, as well as students in elementary and secondary education where basic nutrition is being implemented, will all benefit from this course concentration. See Nutrition Studies Concentration for further details.

Community Health Education

Faculty

David A. Hair, M.Ed., M.S., Chair
Debra L. Fetherman, Ph.D., Program Director
Aukje Kluge Lamonica, Ph.D. candidate

Overview

The Health Education Profession is dedicated to excellence in the practice of promoting individual, family, organizational, and community health. The World Health Organization defines “health” as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or disability. The American Journal of Health Promotion defines “optimal health” as a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual health.

Health educators use the “science and art” of health promotion to help individuals and communities change their lifestyle behaviors in an attempt to move toward “optimal” health regardless of individual disease or disability. Lifestyle change is facilitated through strategies to increase awareness, change behavior and develop supportive environments so individuals and communities can adopt and maintain healthy practices.

The Community Health Education (CHED) major is multidisciplinary in nature and rooted in the Jesuit liberal arts tradition. The CHED major enables students to develop key areas of responsibility and competencies that professionally prepare them to be community health educators without the restrictions of a traditional functional/disciplinary major. Students can utilize cognate, general and free electives in a concentrated area pertaining to general health topics or Nutrition or pursue a minor in various areas of interest (i.e., Counseling and Human Services, Human Development, Psychology, and Spanish). Electives can also be used in preparation for graduate health professional programs in Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant and Public Health.

Students will be educated to embody the spirit of “men and women for others,” and encouraged to address issues of social justice and sustainability. Students will develop creative and interpersonal skills to be adept writers, good listeners and speakers. Emphasis will be placed on building skills to work with diverse populations and understanding cultural sensitivity.

Students will be required to complete internship and service learning experiences in a variety of settings. Based upon the internship or service learning site, students may be required to submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check to the CHED program. Students whose primary residence is out of state may also be required to submit an FBI background check. Copies of these clearances will be provided to sites upon request.

Students will earn a bachelor’s degree which is generally a minimum requirement for an entry-level health educator position. Some states require health educators to be certified health education specialists and others may prefer to hire those who are certified. The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) designation is offered by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing. Students may qualify to take the certification exam after earning a degree in health education.

A comprehensive list of courses that qualify for electives will be provided to students by the academic advisor. Consult individual departments for specific course descriptions.