The Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education programs build on a long tradition of excellence. Our approach emphasizes theory into practice, as our majors apply what they have learned through fieldwork, internships, and student-teaching experiences. As a result, our students develop the critical skills essential for professional practice in addition to gaining a strong foundation of knowledge in health promotion and physical activity.
The department prepares students to take an active role in the promotion of health and physical activity, with a focus on enhancing people's well-being through education in school and community settings, practicing in the health sciences, and leadership in health policy and management.
Undergraduate Programs
If you are interested in pursuing a career in health promotion -- educating people in the community setting, practicing in the health science, or leading in health policy development and health services management -- then these are the programs for you.
- B.S. in health sciences with premedical or nutrition emphasis
- B.S. in health care management
- B.S. in public and community health
Our majors prepare students for an active role in the promotion of health through working in community agencies and in the areas of health science, policy and management. Built around a common professional core, each of these majors offers specialized areas of concentration. For example, some of our public and community health majors choose to concentrate in the area of policy, while others develop an individualized plan of study in consultation with their adviser. Students in health care management can minor in business or management. Many of our students in the health sciences prepare for advanced study, aspiring to attend medical school, obtain a master's degree in public health, or become a registered dietitian. Each degree program culminates in an internship, providing the opportunity to work with outstanding professionals in a real-world setting.
Physical and Health Education Teacher Education Programs
The department offers majors in the areas of both education and health. Students who want to teach have three programs to choose from:
- B.S. in health education
- B.S. in health education and physical education
- B.S. in physical education
Throughout their four years, students have many opportunities to work directly with children in the Ithaca public schools. This field-based approach allows them to put classroom learning to use in a real-world setting and culminates in a semester of student teaching during the senior year under the guidance of a master teacher. Our students regularly score above the state average on teacher certification exams.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education also offers two graduate programs:
- M.S. in health education
- M.S. in physical education
Our graduate programs lead to professional certification in the area of the student's initial certification. These 30-credit-hour programs offer a thesis or a non-thesis option and can be completed in two semesters and one summer session. For more information visit our website or contact Dr. Srijana Bajracharya sbajracharya@ithaca.edu.
The Ithaca Advantage
Our majors enjoy small classes and the opportunity to engage actively in meaningful discussions with their professors and classmates. In addition, faculty encourage students to participate in professional activities; our students have presented their research at local, state, and professional conferences.
If you want to make a difference in people's lives, consider a career in teaching or health. Be part of our tradition of excellence!
