2004-05 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
 

Website: www.iup.edu/healthphysed

The Department of Health and Physical Education provides the following services:

1.     instruction in health and wellness courses as part of the university’s Liberal Studies requirement

2.     instruction in health and physical education courses as Physical Education course electives

3.     an undergraduate major in health and physical education that leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in Education with potential certification to teach in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

4.     Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sport which includes the specialty tracks of Aquatics, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Sport Administration

5.     Certification program in Driver Education

Required Program–Liberal Studies

The department, through its Health and Wellness course in the Liberal Studies program, seeks to enhance the overall well-being of students through instruction planned to promote and maintain desirable levels of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Self-responsibility in the following dimensions of wellness is emphasized: nutritional awareness, stress awareness and management, exercise and fitness, substance use and abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS. The importance of reducing risk factors for chronic degenerative disease and managing lifestyle factors for promotion of health is presented with implication for both the present and future. Information is provided during class lectures and enhanced by a variety of practical learning experiences which give students opportunities for self-assessment and personal application of the subject matter.

In addition, the department offers a variety of 1-credit activity courses focusing on physical fitness and the development of skills essential for recreation and lifetime sports. Instruction is offered in many activities including golf, resistive exercise, scuba, swimming, and tennis.

The university’s Liberal Studies requirements require that each student successfully complete HPED 143 or its alternate, FDNT 143. Students may also elect to take 4 credits of the ROTC program (MLSC 101-102) as an alternate to the wellness courses. Activity courses will continue to be offered, although they are no longer required. It is encouraged and recommended that students choose these courses as elective credits.

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Bachelor of Science Degree–Physical Education and Sport

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sport provides greater emphasis on subject matter/content and less on pedagogy. Students who select this major generally apply their knowledge in the areas of exercise science, community and corporate fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, and/or executive fitness programming. The sports study major is a non-teacher certification program. Students enrolled in this program may be required to purchase a personal liability insurance policy. This will be necessary before beginning the preprofessional experience, the internship, or any other clinical experience on or off campus.

Four specialty tracks of study have been developed for the degree program in Physical Education and Sport. These tracks, in addition to the Nutrition minor within the Physical Education and Sport major, and a business minor in conjunction with the Sport Administration track, provide students with an innovative, relevant, and challenging curriculum and at the same time encourage the promotion of interdisciplinary work. Course content is focused toward specific professions within the major, as well as toward different national credentialing possibilities. Student internships and preprofessional experiences can be more appropriately focused to enhance opportunities for postgraduate employment. Furthermore, these tracks provide emphasis in specific subject content areas and teach skills necessary for students to assume leadership roles in careers related to the health fitness industry as well as the sport science industry.

Aquatics Track

This track of study is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain leadership roles, both instructional and administrative, in a verity of professional settings. These opportunities include school districts, both for profit and nonprofit community organizations, and aquatic coaching.
 

Exercise Science Track

The Exercise Science program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine. Exercise Science students prepare for a variety of careers in the health and fitness industry. Positions are available in private and commercial fitness clubs, medical fitness facilities, profit and nonprofit community organizations, cardiac rehabilitation programs, and aging services. Students may also wish to use this track of study to prepare for graduate education in such areas as exercise physiology, physical and occupational therapy, and other allied health programs.
 

Sport Administration Track

This program prepares students to use a variety of skills to function in a management capacity within the sport industry. Through an array of controlled elective courses, students have the ability to tailor their education to a specific area of interest, e.g., athletic administration, coaching, and sports marketing. Graduates of this program can seek employment in such areas as school and collegiate athletic departments, community recreational organizations, professional sport teams, as well as a host of other athletic and sports related industries. Successful completion of this track of study will also earn the student a minor in business from IUP’s Eberly College of Business and Information Technology.
 

Athletic Training Track

IUP’s Athletic Training track is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This track prepares students to evaluate, manage, rehabilitate, and prevent injuries or illnesses to the physically active individual. Upon successful completion of this educational program, students will be eligible to sit for the national athletic training certification examination.
 

Selection of a predetermined number of students to the Athletic Training Track will be based on demonstrated academic achievement and the evaluation of other criteria as listed below. The minimum standards for eligibility are: (1) sophomore status (minimum of 28 credits), (2) no less than a 2.6 cumulative GPA, (3) no less than a grade of C in HPED 175, 221, 242, 345, and 346, (4) two letters of recommendation, (5) satisfactory completion of 50 hours of directed clinical observation, (6) a written essay, and in some cases, a personal interview. Official admission is also contingent upon obtaining liability insurance, medical clearances, and Acts 34 and 151 clearances, all of which are needed for field experience placement. Once admitted, students must continue to demonstrate above-average academic performance and acceptable clinical performance in order to remain in good standing (specific program retention and completion guidelines will apply and are described in informational/admissions packet available from the department). Students should obtain an informational and admissions packet from the department for full details.

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Bachelor of Science in Education Degree–Health and Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, in both Health Education (with accreditation criteria defined by the American Association for Health Education) and Physical Education (with accreditation criteria defined by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education).

Requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Health and Physical Education include the university’s Liberal Studies requirements, Professional Education requirements, and the Health and Physical Education core requirements. Upon completion of the degree program and successfully passing the Praxis Exam, the student is qualified for an Instructional I Certificate in Health and Physical Education, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg. This certificate is valid for teaching health and physical education in grades K-12 for three years in the public schools of Pennsylvania. All students seeking Pennsylvania certification must follow the 3-Step Process described in the section “Admission to Teacher Education and Certification” found in the College of Education and Educational Technology section of this catalog.

Health and Physical Education Core

The Health and Physical Education curriculum identifies a required core of studies which emphasizes a body of knowledge relevant to the study of professional health and physical education, as well as the study of physical education and sport. Courses contained in the core are those which are intended to enable students to identify and solve problems by applying relevant knowledge and also to engage in self-directed learning.

Candidates for degree programs in Health and Physical Education must demonstrate acceptable cognitive and psychomotor qualifications as well as desirable character and personality traits. The professional programs seek to foster those qualities of individual character and competence that are inherent in personal and professional maturity. Specific competencies and curriculum requirements are defined within each degree-specific track, and student progress is supervised by the academic advisor. 

Driver Education

Candidates for the driver education certification must possess, or be a candidate for, a valid Pennsylvania certificate in any area of certification. A student must currently complete the following four courses: HPED 251, 252, 353, and 354. Students must request the certificate in driver education when they apply for graduation. For students who have already graduated, contact the Office of the Dean, College of Education and Educational Technology, for correct procedures.

Aquatics School Course Offerings

Each summer the department offers the annual Aquatics School. Students attending must possess the necessary aquatic prerequisites. A fee will be charged. All courses may be taken for college credit, if the student is eligible and pays the additional tuition fee. For more information, contact the aquatic director.
 

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Bachelor of Science–Physical Education and Sport (*)

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Bachelor of Science–Physical Education and Sport–Exercise Science Track

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Bachelor of Science–Physical Education and Sport–Sport Administration Track

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Bachelor of Science–Physical Education and Sport–Aquatic Track

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Bachelor of Science–Physical Education and Sport–Athletic Training Track

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Bachelor of Science in Education–Health and Physical Education (*)