Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences

Jody Rajcula, Chair
rajculaj@wcsu.edu
Berkshire 230a, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8688 (203) 837-8638 (fax)

Mary Koch , Department Secretary
kochm@wcsu.edu
Berkshire 230, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8612
(203) 837-8638 (fax)

Faculty

J. Rajcula, Chair

J. Schlict

V. Verhoff

Adjunct Faculty

E. Abrams	M. Allen	H. Alviti
B. Applebee	D. Arifian	G. Ashe-Kinney
T. Blood	R. Burkhardt	R. Campbell
M. Dalton	J. DeBenedetto	J. Dreyer
A. Heron	E. Hollenbeck	P. Hull
K. Kacsak	M. Keenan	B. Loshe
L. Peterson

Overview

There are two distinct degree programs within the health promotion and exercise sciences area: one leading to a bachelor of science degree and teaching certification as a school health educator, and one leading to a bachelor of science degree as a health promotion studies educator, with options in community health and wellness management. Following completion of a Bachelor of Science in Health Education or Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion Studies, students will be prepared to sit for the national CHES examination (Certified Health Education Specialist - the credential for health educators). Examination sites are located throughout the U.S., including at WCSU.

Mission

The health promotion and exercise sciences department strives to educate all WCSU students about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices which encourages life-long, optimal health and well-being. The students in our degree programs are additionally prepared for entry-level, certified health education specialist (CHES) positions in schools and in a wide variety of private and public settings (i.e. corporations, hospitals, community organizations and other multi-public service organizations). In addition to a liberal arts core of courses, students must successfully complete health content courses and teaching methodology, including the use of technology, in order to achieve professional competence as identified by standards set by national credentialing organizations. The focus of studying health promotion and exercise science is to educate students on the importance of a physically active lifestyle, wellness, fitness, healthy leisure time activities, health promotion, health protection and preventive services in schools and the larger global community.

It is the goal of the health promotion and exercise sciences department to be known as the undergraduate program of choice in the region to prepare for careers in school health education and fitness/ leisure activities. The department also strives to be recognized for its scholarship and to provide programs which utilize a holistic, integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Our programs link the education of the mind with opportunities to apply newly learned skills in experiential, cooperative and internship experiences. The multidisciplinary academic program includes courses in health promotion and wellness, psychology, safety and health protection, total fitness, knowledge of and opportunities for healthy leisure activities, nutrition, biology, education, social welfare and politics, and related areas. As such, this holistic approach to healthy living does not focus on illness or specific parts of the body or one facet of community life. It emphasizes the connection and interdependency of the components of individual and community health. These components include environmental, political and economic aspects of health, as well as the physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual elements of well-being.

Program Objectives

The curriculum is driven by competency-based objectives derived from ongoing internal and external program evaluations. Our graduates’ performances in pre-professional activities and worksite placements with schools, public and private health agencies, fitness centers and corporations assist in the realization of the department’s mission. We strive to meet the educational needs of a diversified student body so that our majors will be prepared to address health education in a global society.

Degrees and Programs

B.S. Health Education (PK-12)
B.S. Health Promotion Studies

Options:

Community Health

Wellness Management
General education physical activity requirement

Bachelor of Science in Health Education

Program Goals

Goal 1: Prepare its students with the proficiencies to become lifelong learners, provide the skill needed to contribute to a healthy lifestyle, and improved quality of life for themselves and the students they educate.

Goal 2: Provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary academic curriculum that prepares its graduates for careers in a variety of health education fields.

Goal 3: Prepare students to meet the standards set by state and national credentialing organizations for health educators.

Goal 4: Provide a comprehensive approach to health and fitness education emphasizing the connection and interdependency of individuals, school, family and community.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the B.S. Health Education (PK-12) Certification Program will be prepared to:

Apply health content knowledge as competent health educators.
Assess individual and community needs for health education.
Plan effective health education programs.
Implement health education programs.
Evaluate effectiveness of health education programs.
Coordinate provisions of health education services.
Act as a resource person in health education.
Communicate health and health education needs, concerns, and resources (#2-8 responsibilities and competencies for school health educators have been established, as seen in The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. at http://www.nchec.org).

Requirements

Certification Program for PK-12

The teacher education programs at WestConn are rigorous and not all candidates applying for professional program admission are accepted. While students may gain acceptance to the university, those interested in obtaining state teacher’s certification (elementary, secondary, music, and health education) must file a separate application for professional program acceptance usually during the second semester of their junior year.

Self-declared health education majors must maintain a GPA of 2.67 or higher upon the completion of 60 credits of course work in order to remain a self-declared education major. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be contacted by the dean of the School of Professional Studies. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.8 or higher in order to be accepted into all professional education programs as candidates for teacher certification.

Application And Submission Process For Professional Program Acceptance

Applications for professional program acceptance can be obtained at the department of health promotion and exercise sciences (BR 230). Before the process of screening for professional program acceptance, applications must be filed with the school health coordinator of the health promotion and exercise sciences department, after consultation with the student’s appropriate teacher education advisor.

Criteria For Professional Program Acceptance

Students seeking admission to any of WestConn’s teacher education certification programs must have completed and met the following criteria. The following deadline dates must be met for students applying for professional teacher education program acceptance. The deadline date for Fall semester admittance into a Professional Teacher Education Program is 12 noon on April 1st. You must have all of your materials submitted to your Teacher Education Program Coordinator (or Department Chair where applicable) by the deadline date. After your materials have been submitted and reviewed, you will be contacted for an interview with faculty.

Candidates must pass a Connecticut state mandated basic skills examination (PRAXIS I) in mathematics, reading and writing, or must obtain a waiver from the State Department of Education by presenting a combined score of 1,100 or more with no less than 450 on either the verbal or math subtest. If the SAT was administered prior to March 31, 1995, the candidate must present a combined score of 1,000 with at least a score of 400 on both the verbal and the math sections. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for this waiver. (Students may present a passing score on a similar test for another state with which Connecticut has certification reciprocity agreements). Information concerning the PRAXIS I exam and waiver information is available in the Office of the Dean of Professional Studies, Midtown campus, 123 White Hall, (203-837-8575) or in the Education Office, Westside campus, Classroom Building 249 (203-837-8510).
Present at least a 2.8 cumulative average for undergraduate courses taken prior to professional program acceptance (approximately 90 credits and reflecting courses in progress). Note: The 2.8 cumulative average requirements is effective for all students, including any change of majors. All work done both at WestConn and other colleges will be considered in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. Note: Students with less than a cumulative 2.8 grade point average will not be admitted to or retained in the program.
Completed the university’s general education requirements (42 semester hour minimum) in communications, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics/computer science, and physical education, as well as complete a writing intensive course.
Complete with a minimum grade of “B” in the following education courses:
ED 206 Introduction to Education
HPX 215 Health Issues in the Schools (Grades PK-12)
EPY 204 Adolescent Development in School Setting
Prepare and present an essay demonstrating a command of the English language identifying reasons for wanting to enroll, emphasizing experience relevant to teaching health.
Present at least two letters of recommendation from persons outside the university who are able to testify to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective health teacher.
Participate in an interview with teacher health education faculty who will assess personal attributes that suggest potential performance as a teacher.

Note: Students may not register for the following courses until they have been formally admitted to the health education program: HPX 311, HPX 460, HPX 464, ED 340, ED 400, EPY 405.
Students must also complete all general education requirements, the courses and credits listed below and free electives to total a minimum of 125 semester hours, including HPX physical activity requirement.

* PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
* SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
*BIO 105, 106 Anatomy and Physiology I & II
BIO 215 Microbiology
CHE 120, 121 Survey of Chemistry I (placement exam) & II
* COM 161 Group Process
* ENG Writing Intensive Course (W)
HIS 101 American Perspectives
** EPY 204 Adolescent Development in School
** ED 206 Introduction to Education
ED/MED 340 Assessment of Teaching Strategies
* EPY 405 Introduction to Special Education
HPX 100 Health Maintenance and Promotion
HPX 160 First Aid & Safety
** HPX 215 Health Issues in the Schools
HPX 230 Drug Studies
* HPX 280 Principles of Health Education
* HPX 310 Methods and Materials in Health Education
* HPX 311 School Health Program
HPX 352 Mental Health
HPX 355 Human Sexuality
HPX 464 Student Teaching
* HPX 460 Health Education Student Teaching Seminar
* Minimum of “C” grade required.
** Minimum of “B” grade required.

Required Course Sequence Freshman Year

Fall Semester
* BIO 105
HPX 100
*SOC 100
* PSY 100
*COM 161

Spring Semester
* BIO 106
HPX 160
HPX 177
* HIS 101
MAT or CS
Gen. Ed. Req.

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester
CHE 120 (Placement Test Required)
** ED 206 (Prereq. PSY 100)
** EPY 204
ENG 101 (by Placement or Next Level)
** HPX 215
Gen. Ed. Req.

Spring Semester
CHE 121
HPX 205
HPX 207
HPX 230
* HPX 280
* Writing Intensive Course “W”

Junior Year

(Note: Students must make official application for senior year status by April 1, junior year.)

Fall Semester
*BIO 215
* HPX 310
HPX 355
Gen. Ed. Req.
Elective Course

Spring Semester

HPX 352
Gen. Ed. Req.
Elective Course

Senior Year

Fall Semester (Professional Semester)
* HPX 311
HPX 386
** EPY 405 (Prereq. EPY 204)
* ED 340

Spring Semester
ED/MED 340
* HPX 460
HPX 464
* Minimum of “C” grade required.
** Minimum of “B” grade required.
During the spring semester of senior year, students will enter the student teaching phase of the program. In order to register for student teaching, health education majors must present at least a 2.8 overall average. Students are advised not to register for other courses, except for ED 340, HPX 460 and HPX 464, or be working in other jobs during this semester. A student teaching application (available at the education Office), approved by the appropriate Health Education advisor, must be filed with the chairperson of the education department during the semester just prior to the student teaching semester. The student teaching requirement for health education majors consists of one semester. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from their assigned schools.
Students earning other than a “P” grade in student teaching may be required to complete additional student teaching and/or course work before receiving a recommendation for graduation and certification. Students must have at least a 2.8 cumulative average in all courses to graduate as a health education major.
After completing the academic program and successfully completing student teaching, the student must pass the PRAXIS II examination. The PRAXIS II exam tests the essential subject area knowledge unique to each certification teaching area. The Initial Educator Certificate will be issued by the State of Connecticut upon completion of program requirements and the passing of PRAXIS II. All secondary CONNTENT exams are being offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). ETS utilizes the national teacher examination (PRAXIS) specialty area tests for CONNTENT requirements. Additionally, students are encouraged to sit for the national CHES exam.

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion Studies (B.S.)

Program Goals

Goal 1: Prepare its students with the proficiencies to become lifelong learners, and provide the skills needed to contribute to a healthy lifestyle, and improved quality of life for themselves and the people they educate.

Goal 2: Provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary academic curriculum that prepares its graduates for careers in a variety of health and fitness educational fields.

Goal 3: Prepare students to meet the standards set by state and national credentialing organizations for health fitness educators.

Goal 4: Provide a comprehensive approach to health and fitness education emphasizing the connection and interdependency of individuals, careers, family and community.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the B.S. Health Promotion Studies program will be prepared to demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of core concepts of community health, global health, epidemiology, nutrition and physical fitness necessary for entry level health promotion practitioners.

2. Proficiency in applying knowledge and skills of health promotion studies, including program planning, implementation and evaluation.

Requirements

Completion of all general education requirements, the Health Promotion Studies core and option course work, and free electives, a total minimum of 125 semester hours. Overall GPA minimum of 2.0; 2.5 in HPX major classes.

Health Promotion Studies Core Course Work

BIO 105 Anatomy & Physiology I

BIO 106 Anatomy & Physiology II

PSY 260 Health Psychology

SW 220 Cultural Diversity

HPX 100 Health Promotion & Maintenance

HPX 160 First Aid and Safety

HPX 201 Community Health

HPX 205 Nutrition and Health

HPX 207 Nutrition and Health Lab

HPX 254 Fitness Seminar and Laboratory

HPX 280 Principles of Health Education

HPX 285 Service Learning I

HPX 310 Methods and Materials in Health Education

HPX 342 Global Health and Epidemiology

HPX 486 Program Planning and Evaluation

HPX 490 Practicum for Health Promotion Studies

HPX 491 Health Promotion Studies Senior Seminar

Community Health Option Course Work

HPX 230 Drug Studies
HPX 253 Concepts of Diseases
HPX 352 Mental Health

HPX 355 Human Sexuality
HPX 381 Environment and Health
HPX 385 Service Learning in Comm. Health II

Wellness Management Option Course Work

HPX 281 Principles of Wellness

HPX 380 Worksite Health

HPX 316 Projects in Wellness Preparation

HPX 317 Projects in Wellness

MKT 301 Principles of Marketing

Required Course Sequence for the Community Health Option

Freshman Year

Fall Semester
* HPX 100
BIO 105

SOC 100

COM 162

ENG (WI)

Spring Semester
BIO 106

HPX 177

HPX 160

PSY 100

HIS 101

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester
* HPX 201 (Fall only)
HPX 253 (Fall only)
* HPX 285 (Fall only)

PSY 218
CHE 102
MAT 115 or 120

SW 215

Spring Semester
*HPX 205 (spring only)

HPX 207 (spring only)

HPX 254

HPX 280 (spring only)

HPX 230 (spring only)

PHI 111

Electives

Junior Year

Fall Semester
*HPX 310 (Fall only)
HPX 355 (Fall only)

HPX 381 (fall only)

PSY 260
Elective

Spring Semester
HPX 352 (spring only)

HPX 342 (spring only)

HPX 385 (spring only)

HPX 486 (spring only)

SW 220

Electives

Senior Year

Fall Semester
HPX 490 (Fall only)
HPX 491 (Fall only)

Spring Semester
Free Electives

Required Course Sequence for the Wellness Management Option

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

*HPX 100

BIO 105

SOC 100

COM 162

Spring Semester

BIO 106

HPX 177

HPX 160

PSY 100

HIS 101

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

*HPX 201 (fall only)

HPX 285 (fall only)

PSY 218

CHE 102

MAT 115 or 120

SW 215

Spring Semester

HPX 205 (spring only)

HPX 207 (concurrent w/205)

HPX 254

HPX 280 (spring only

HPX 281

HPX 380

Electives

Junior Year

Fall Semester

*HPX 310 (fall only)

HPX 316 (fall only)

MKT 301

PSY 260

PHI 111

Electives

Spring Semester

HPX 317 (spring only)

HPX 342 (spring only)

HPX 486 (spring only)

ENG (WI)

SW 220

Electives

Senior Year

Fall Semester

HPX 490 (fall only)

HPX 491 (fall only)

Spring Semester

Electives

* Must be completed prior to HPX 490 and 491.

GENERAL EDUCATION PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENT – 2 SH

Refer to physical activity courses (under course descriptions at the back of this catalog) for list of activity courses that satisfy this requirement. Students must take a total of 2 semester hours of activity courses to satisfy general education requirements. Courses beyond the minimum will be credited as free electives. Golf and other courses conducted off-campus, require an extra fee to cover the costs of special personnel and/or facility. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the off-campus sites.

Students fulfilling varsity team requirements shall receive .5 semester hours of physical activity credit. A maximum of one point is acceptable for general education credit. Because of the physical demands of activity courses offered at WestConn, students are strongly urged to have a physical examination prior to registering for these courses. Since part-time students are not covered by university accident insurance, part-time students are strongly urged to carry accident insurance.

Agencies used for Health Promotion & Exercise Sciences Field Placements

Regional

Abilities Beyond Disabilities, Brookfield, Conn.
AIDS Project, Danbury Conn.
Alternative Incarceration Center, Danbury, Conn.
American Cancer Society, Wilton, Conn.
American Red Cross, Danbury Conn.
American Red Cross, Waterbury, Conn.
Bethel Health Dept., Bethel, Conn.

Boehringer Engleheim, Fairfield, CT
Brewster Athletic Club, Brewster, N.Y.
Birth Partners Labor Assistants, Naugatuck, Conn.
Cardinal Hayes Home for Children, Millbrook, N.Y.
CHHA – CT Holistic Health Association,
West Hartford, Conn.
Danbury Children First Initiative, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury Health Care Affiliates, DHCA, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury Dept. of Health and Housing, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury School System Danbury, Conn.
Danbury High School, Roberts Ave. School,
Hayestown Ave. School

Danbury Senior Center, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury Youth Services, Danbury, Conn.
Danbury Visiting Nurses Assoc., Danbury, Conn.
Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, Danbury, Conn.
Duracell Fitness Center, Bethel, Conn.
Dow Chemical Corporation, Fitness Center,
Danbury, Conn.
Devereux Glenhome School, Washington, Conn.
Even Start, Danbury, Conn.
Filosa Nursing Home, Danbury, Conn.
Girl Scouts of SW CT
Green Chimneys School, Brewster, N.Y.
Good Friends, Danbury Conn.
Habitat for Humanity
Hancock Hall, Danbury, Conn.
Harambee Center, Danbury, Conn.
Heal the Children, New Milford, Conn.
Healing Hearts (Danbury Hospice)
HealthQuest, Danbury, Conn.
Health South, Danbury, Conn.
Hispanos Unidos Contra El Sida, New Haven, Conn.
Human Resource Development Agency,
Naugatuck, Conn.
Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Danbury, Danbury, Conn.
Just for Women, Waterbury, Conn.
Laurel Ridge Nursing Home, Ridgefield, Conn.
MasterCard Pro-Fit Center, Purchase, N.Y.
National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD),
New Fairfield, Conn.
New Fairfield H.S., New Fairfield, Conn.
New Milford H.S., New Milford, Conn.
New Milford Senior Center, New Milford, Conn.
Newtown Youth Services, Newtown, Conn.
Northwest CT AIDS Project, Torrington, Conn.

Pepsi Bottline Group, Armonk, NY
Planned Parenthood, Danbury and New Haven, Conn.
Pitney Bowes Corporate Fitness Center, Danbury, Conn.
Region #15, Pomperaug High School, Southbury, Conn. Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club, Ridgefield, Conn.
Rockland County Dept. of Health, New City, N.Y.
Regional Hospice of Western CT, Danbury, Conn.
Salvation Army, Danbury, Conn.
St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.
Sun Family Outreach Program, Meriden, Conn.
The Nat’l Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, Brewster, N.Y.
Town of Kent, Environmental Protection, Kent, Conn.
United Way of Western CT, Danbury, Conn.
Visiting Nurses of Oxford, Conn.
War Memorial, Danbury, Conn.
Waterbury Health Dept., Waterbury, Conn.
Western Connecticut Senior Exercise Program, Danbury, Conn.
Western Connecticut State University, V-DAY Project,
Until Violence Stops, Danbury, Conn.
Women’s Center, Danbury, Conn.
Women, Infant and Children, WIC, Danbury, Conn.
Youth Action Programs & Homes, Inc., N.Y.
YMCA, Waterbury, Conn.

National

Health Fitness Corporation, Minneapolis, MN

MediFit, Florsham Park, NJ

ProFitness Health Solutions, Shelton, CT