Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education

Mary Bentley, Associate Professor and Chair

The Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education prepares students to take an active role in the promotion of health and physical activity, with a focus on enhancing the well-being of people through education in school and community settings, instruction in the health sciences, or leadership in health policy. The Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education offers the following majors:

• B.S. in physical education (teaching)
• B.S. in health education (teaching)
• B.S. in health education and physical education (teaching)
• B.S. in community health education
• B.S. in health sciences
• B.A. in health policy studies
• B.S. in health care management

The following minors are also available:

• coaching
• health
• health communication
• health policy and management
• integrative health studies
• nutrition promotion
• nutrition science

Additionally, the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, under the physical activity, leisure, and safety (PALS) program, offers a variety of physical activity and leisure services courses to students.

B.S. in Physical Education (Teaching)

The program in physical education prepares students for initial New York State certification to teach at elementary and secondary school levels. Coursework includes strong preparation in the liberal arts, health and exercise sciences, teacher education, professional theory, and professional skills. A full semester of student teaching in the senior year is required in this program. One of the two student teaching placements will be in Rochester, New York. Students who complete the major are eligible to apply for teacher certification after successfully completing the appropriate examinations. New York certification requires the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations; other states may require the Praxis examination or another designated state teaching examination.

Medical clearance by the Ithaca College health center is required for participation in any activity course. Students who do not have such clearance will not be able to complete the requirements for this degree.

All candidates for teaching certification must attend a two-hour workshop on child abuse identification and prevention, and a two-hour workshop on drug and alcohol abuse. The evening workshops are offered each semester. For more information about certification requirements and for information about fingerprinting requirements, see the "Office of Teaching and Certification" page of the Department of Education website.

Office of Teaching and Certification

Special Academic Status Policy for Physical Education Majors

Acceptance into and retention in the physical education major is subject to compliance with the following academic standards:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 after the sophomore year in PHED 23400, HLTH 21100, and HLTH 21300, in the professional education core (PSYC 21010, SLPA 21900, SLPA 22900, PHED 44100, PHED 44800, EDUC 34000), and in HLTH 15200, PHED 21200, PHED 23000, PHED 25500, PHED 33000, PHED 33200, PHED 33300, PHED 43900, and PHED 44000.
3. Each of the aforementioned courses must be completed with at least a C (not C-). Failure to do so mandates repeating the course. The Ithaca College policy on repeating a course must be followed.
4. A student failing to meet the minimum standards in the first two numbered items in any given semester will be placed on program academic warning and be given one semester to attain these standards. Students failing to meet these academic standards for two consecutive semesters or in any three semesters total will be subject to dismissal from the major.
5. No student will be allowed to enroll in an internship or student teaching (PHED 46000, PHED 44100, and PHED 44800) unless he or she has met these standards in the previous semester.
6. Students who wish to do their student teaching any time during the senior year must file an application early in the spring of the junior year and receive approval from the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education. One of the two student teaching placements will be in Rochester, New York.
7. Students must present a current American Red Cross CPR and first aid card to the coordinator of student teaching prior to student teaching.

Requirements for the Major in Physical Education (Teaching) -- B.S.

General requirements (LA)

Speech elective 

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Multicultural elective 

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Writing electives 

A total of 6 credits selected from the following:

Additional

Health and exercise sciences

Professional education

Professional content and pedagogy: physical education

Summary

B.S. in Health Education (Teaching)

This program prepares students to educate others about personal, family, and community health concerns, including maintaining good health and preventing illness. Graduates may teach health in elementary and secondary schools or serve in public health and social service agencies. The curriculum has a broad, interdisciplinary orientation that emphasizes the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of health. A full semester of student teaching in the senior year is required in this program. The semester is divided into two separate placements, with one of the placements in Rochester, New York. Students who complete this major qualify to take the national examination to be certified as health education specialists and are eligible to apply for initial teacher certification after successfully completing the appropriate examinations. New York certification requires the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations; other states may require the Praxis examination or another designated state teaching examination.

All candidates for initial teaching certification must attend a two-hour workshop on child abuse identification and prevention. The evening workshop is offered once each semester. For more information about certification requirements, and for information about fingerprinting requirements, see the "Office of Teaching and Certification" page of the Department of Education website.

Office of Teaching and Certification

Special Academic Status Policy for Health Education Majors

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 after the sophomore year in the professional health core (SOCI 21500, HLTH 15200, HLTH 20200, HLTH 21100, HLTH 22800, HLTH 22900, HLTH 31500, HLTH 33300, HLTH 35000, HLTH 43900) and in the professional education core (PSYC 21010, SLPA 21900, SLPA 22900, HLTH 36000, HLTH 42000, HLTH 44100, HLTH 44800, and EDUC 34000).
3. Each of the aforementioned courses must be completed with at least a C (not C-). Failure to do so mandates repeating the course. The Ithaca College policy on repeating a course must be followed.
4. A student failing to meet the minimum standards in 1 and 2 above in any given semester will be placed on program academic warning and be given one semester to attain these standards. Students failing to meet these academic standards for two consecutive semesters or in any three semesters total will be subject to dismissal from the major.
5. No student will be allowed to enroll in an internship or student teaching (HLTH 44900, HLTH 44100, and HLTH 44800) unless he or she has met these standards in the previous semester.
6. Students who wish to do their student teaching any time during the senior year must file an application early in the spring of the junior year and receive approval from the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education. One of the two student teaching placements will be in Rochester, New York. Students must present a current American Red Cross CPR and first aid card to the coordinator of student teaching prior to student teaching.

Requirements for the Major in Health Education (Teaching) -- B.S.

General requirements (LA)

Biology elective 

At least 3 credits selected from the following:

Speech elective 

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Multicultural elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Counseling elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Writing electives

A total of 6 credits selected from the following:

Additional

Professional health core courses

Professional health electives

A total of 9 credits selected from the following:

Professional education courses

Free electives

Summary

B.S. in Health Education and Physical Education (Teaching)

The dual major in health education and physical education enables students to become certified to teach in two areas. Upon graduation, students are eligible for New York State initial teacher certification in both health education and physical education. This dual certification offers increased professional opportunities, and it meets the needs of students who desire to teach both health education and physical education in the public schools of New York State. Students who complete the dual major are eligible to apply for teacher certification after successfully completing the appropriate examinations. New York certification requires the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations; other states may require the Praxis examination or other designated state teaching examination.

Coursework includes strong preparation in the liberal arts, health and exercise sciences, physical education, teacher education, professional theory, and professional skills. A full semester of student teaching in the senior year is required. One of the two student teaching placements will be in Rochester, New York. It should be noted that because this program prepares students in two areas, there is relatively little room left for electives. For those students whose career interests lie within these areas, however, this program offers considerable depth in two highly related areas, within a challenging curriculum.

Medical clearance by Ithaca College's health center is required for participation in any activity course. Students who do not have such clearance will not be able to complete the requirements for this degree program.

All candidates for teaching certification must attend a two-hour workshop on child abuse identification and prevention. The evening workshop is offered once each semester. For more information about certification requirements and for information about fingerprinting requirements, see the "Office of Teaching Certification" page of the Department of Education website.

Office of Teaching and Certification

Special Academic Policy for Health Education and Physical Education (Dual) Major

Acceptance into and retention in the health education and physical education major is subject to compliance with the following academic standards:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 after the sophomore year in the professional content and pedagogy: health education core (PHED 23400, HLTH 15200, HLTH 20200, HLTH 21300, HLTH 22800, HLTH 21100, HLTH 31500, HLTH 35000, HLTH 36000, HLTH 42000, PHED 43900 or HLTH 43900); in PHED 21200, PHED 23000, PHED 33000, PHED 33200, PHED 33300; and in the professional education component (PSYC 21010, SLPA 21900, SLPA 22900, PHED 44500, HLTH 44500, PHED 44800 or HLTH 44800, and EDUC 34000).
3. Each of the aforementioned courses must be completed with at least a C (not C-). Failure to do so mandates repeating the course. The Ithaca College policy on repeating a course must be followed.
4. A student failing to meet the minimum standards in 1 and 2 above in any given semester will be placed on program academic warning and be given one semester to attain these standards. Students failing to meet these academic standards for two consecutive semesters or in any three semesters total will be subject to dismissal from the major.
5. No student will be allowed to enroll in an internship or student teaching (PHED 46000, HLTH 44900, PHED 44500, HLTH 44500, and PHED 44800 or HLTH 44800) unless he or she has met these standards in the previous semester.
6. Students who wish to do their student teaching any time during the senior year must file an application early in the spring of the junior year and receive approval from the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education. One of the two student teaching placements will be in Rochester, New York. Students must present a current American Red Cross CPR and first aid card to the coordinator of student teaching prior to student teaching.

Requirements for the Major in Health Education and Physical Education (Teaching) - B.S.

General requirements (LA)

Computer science

Mathematics elective

A total of 3-4 credits selected from the following:

Multicultural elective 

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Speech elective 

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Writing electives

A total of 6 credits selected from the following:

Additional courses

Exercise science component (LA)

Professional content and pedagogy: health education

Professional content and pedagogy: physical education

Professional education component

Liberal arts electives

Free electives

Summary

B.S. in Community Health Education

The community health education major has two main objectives. The first is to provide professional preparation for those who plan health education careers in public or voluntary health organizations. The second is to provide a sound undergraduate educational foundation for graduate studies in community health education and other health-related professions. Students who choose this major must complete the nutrition promotion concentration or a planned interdisciplinary combination. Students who complete this major qualify to take the national examination to be certified as health education specialists.

Special Academic Status Policy for Community Health Education Majors

Acceptance into and retention in the community health education major is subject to compliance with the following academic standards:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 after the sophomore year in the professional health core (HLTH 12200, HLTH 15200, HLTH 20200, HLTH 21300, HLTH 22700, HLTH 31700, HLTH 33300, HLTH 35000).
3. Each of the aforementioned courses must be completed with at least a C (not C-). Failure to do so mandates repeating the course. The Ithaca College policy on repeating a course must be followed.
4. A student failing to meet the minimum standards in the first two items listed above in any given semester will be placed on program academic warning and be given one semester to attain these standards. Students failing to meet these academic standards for two consecutive semesters or in any three semesters total will be subject to dismissal from the major.
5. No student will be allowed to enroll in the professional practicum (HLTH 34900, HLTH 44900, or HLTH 45300) unless he or she has met these standards in the previous semester and presented a current American Red Cross CPR and first aid card to the internship coordinator.

Requirements for the Major in Community Health Education -- B.S.

General requirements (LA)

Statistics elective

At least 3 credits selected from the following:

Psychology elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Counseling elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Multicultural elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Professional health

Health promotion core

Professional practicum

Required concentration or planned interdisciplinary combination

The nutrition promotion concentration or a planned interdisciplinary combination (PIC) is required for graduation. Liberal arts courses taken to fulfill this requirement may be applied toward the 60-credit liberal arts requirement, thus increasing the available number of free elective credits. To fulfill this requirement, students have the following options:

1. Students may enroll in the nutrition promotion concentration.
2. Students may develop, with their adviser, a planned interdisciplinary combination (PIC) of courses that relate to their major field and/or point toward their vocational goals. The student must be accepted into a PIC no later than the second semester of the junior year. Before acceptance, an application must be completed and approved by the student's adviser, the department chair, and the dean. Requirements for a PIC are listed below.

Summary

Community Health Education Concentrations

Nutrition Concentration

This concentration is for individuals who are interested in nutrition promotion in a community, school, or worksite setting. Upon graduation, the student is employable as a nutrition educator working with children, athletes, adults, or the elderly. This program also prepares the student to pursue graduate work in clinical dietetics (for certification as a clinical dietitian), nutrition, and health. Courses with the prefix ICCU are offered by the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University.

Required courses

Nutrition electives

At least 9 credits selected from the following:

Mathematics elective

Professional health electives

At least 12 credits selected from the following:

Planned Interdisciplinary Combination (PIC)

Students who have other areas of interest or vocational goals may plan, in consultation with their advisers, a combination of courses that relate to their needs. Examples are health care delivery, counseling, patient education, women's health issues, and communication skills.

Required courses

Biology elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Mathematics elective

Sociology elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Professional health electives

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Planned interdisciplinary combination electives

B.S. in Health Sciences

The health sciences degree program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in a variety of health professions. The major combines knowledge from several disciplines related to health and disease. The health core focuses on scientific facts and principles pertinent to personal and community health. The integration of courses from the behavioral sciences helps students understand the psychological and sociological determinants of health. Courses in the natural sciences provide a strong foundation for future health professionals. A practicum provides "real-world" experiences linking education to service.

Health professionals must respect individual differences, communicate effectively, use analytic and computer skills, work collaboratively, and be sensitive to ethical issues. Coursework in this major provides students with these skills, while electives afford students the opportunity to direct their studies toward specific careers. Thus, this program provides excellent preprofessional preparation for students planning graduate study to become public health specialists, administrators, researchers, policy analysts, dietitians, nurses, chiropractors, occupational or physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants, or health care practitioners in related fields.

Special Academic Status Policy for Health Sciences Majors

Students will not be allowed to enroll in the professional practicum (HLTH 34900, HLTH 44900, or HLTH 45300) until they have presented a current American Red Cross CPR and first aid card to the internship coordinator.

Requirements for the Major in Health Sciences -- B.S.

General requirements (LA)

Writing elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Mathematics elective

At least 3 credits selected from the following:

Statistics elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Ethics elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Speech elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Psychology elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Diversity elective

A total of 3 credits selected from the following:

Natural science core