Health and Human Performance

Faculty

Paul T. Cutrufello, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, Chair and Program Director of Kinesiology
Debra L. Fetherman, Ph.D., MCHES®, ACSM EP-C, Wellcoaches® Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Program Director of Health Promotion
Ran An, Ph.D.
Hope Baylow, D.A., CCC-SLP, BRS-S
Emily Gerstle, Ph.D.
Joan A. Cebrick Grossman, Ph.D., RDN
Michael J. Landram, Ph.D.
Joseph K. Pellegrino, Ph.D., CSCS
Andrew C. Venezia, Ph.D.

Overview

The Department of Health and Human Performance offers six programs: major in Kinesiology , major in Health Promotion , major in Communication Sciences and Disorders , concentration in Coaching , concentration in Health Promotion and a concentration in Nutrition Studies .

Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of human movement as related to exercise and physical activity from an applied, primarily life science perspective. It is dedicated to promoting and integrating scientific research and education on the effects and benefits of exercise, and to the delivery of physical-activity programs that prevent disease, facilitate rehabilitation, promote health, and enhance human performance. Kinesiology is part of the field of Sports Medicine, which also includes clinical areas of study. The scientific aspects of Sports Medicine include exercise physiology, nutrition, biochemistry of exercise, and biomechanics. Testing of lactic acid metabolism, analysis of muscle fatigue, research on muscle hypertrophy and bone density, measurement of body composition, and benefits of exercise in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and weight control are a few of the many contributions made by exercise scientists to Sports Medicine.

Few academic program majors offer such diverse opportunities after graduation in Kinesiology. The academically rigorous curriculum prepares graduates with knowledge and experience for employment opportunities in a variety of settings. Careers in applied health areas, include corporate, community and hospital-based wellness programs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and research centers investigating the benefits of exercise in chronic disease states. Becoming a strength and conditioning specialist for a sports team or training center is also a career option. The program is also designed in order to provide students the opportunity to take prerequisite courses for graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant, Athletic Training and other allied health professions, including medical, dental, podiatry and optometry school.

Students should make their career intentions known early in their program of study so that they may be guided appropriately and utilize their electives in order to achieve their academic goals. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific prerequisites required by their graduate school(s) of interest as prerequisites may differ between universities offering the same program. While the Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not offer an accelerated option at this time, students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor if they are interested in graduating in less than four years.

In addition to the advising provided by PCPS Academic Advising and the Department of Health and Human Performance, students interested in attending medical school should participate actively in the Health Professions Organization and seek advising from Dr. Patrick Orr, Director of Medical School Placement (570-941-7901). Students interested in completing the prerequisites for a Physician’s Assistant program should seek advising from Father Timothy Cadigan, Ph.D. (570-941-4348). Although not required, completion of the program provides students with the ability to take different certification exams offered by several professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

All KNES students must submit proof of First-Aid and CPR certification prior to completion of the Kinesiology program. Copies of the certifications must be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Performance office (ELH 710) no later than the midpoint of the student’s second to final semester prior to graduation. Minimum requirements include Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with AED and Basic First-Aid. However, many graduate programs require advanced First-Aid and/or CPR certification, therefore, students applying to graduate programs are strongly advised to consult with those programs in order to identify the certifications suitable to meet their goals. For instance, some graduate programs may only accept certifications if granted by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Recommended certifications include the following: CPR certification - American Heart Association-Health Care Provider, American Red Cross-Professional Rescuer, or Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers from the American Red Cross; First-Aid Certification - American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

Students will be required to complete an internship and community-based learning projects in a variety of settings. Students are required to submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and an FBI background check. Copies of these clearances must be maintained to meet internship and community-based learning requirements.

Graduating Kinesiology majors must possess a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 and a grade point average of 2.75 or higher within the major. All major courses (KNES) and cognate courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.” Students may progress and take any course within the KNES major provided the pre-requisite course(s) for that course have been completed with a minimum grade of “C.”

Course Information

Major courses for Kinesiology are listed under the prefixes KNES and NUTR. For more information on these and all courses offered, visit our Health and Human Performance Courses page.

For more information about the Health and Human Performance department, visit its website.