Health and Physical Education

Overview

There has never been a greater need for leaders in health and physical education.

We offer many classes in the early evening, online and during the winter and summer sessions; please contact us for more information.

Poor lifestyle health-behaviors are the number one cause of chronic disease in the United States, accounting for 75% of our health care costs. The Department of Labor suggests that the employment of fitness workers will increase by 13% between 2012 and 2022.

The program is dedicated to innovative teaching, meaningful community and professional service, and creative scholarly endeavor. Our Health and Fitness Club and internship possibilities provide students with unique opportunities to serve and educate both within the Saint Peter’s community and beyond.

The Health and Physical Education program delivered by Saint Peter's University offers a major in health and physical education with a concentration in health education or physical education to prepare students for employment in a number of venues including commercial fitness, corporate health and fitness, and community recreation and health promotion.

Students can also participate in a teaching certificate preparation program.

Learning Goals & Mission

The Bachelor of Science Degree program in Physical and Health Education will:

• Provide students with a solid foundation in the physical, social, and behavioral sciences as well as in the principles of teaching and learning to promote wellness and fitness.
• Enhance one’s knowledge related to health information and issues as well as healthy lifestyle choices across the lifespan.
• Prepare students for graduate study.
• Integrate theory and practice through selected practical and field experiences.
• Apply issues of social justice into an understanding of health and physical education issues.

The program will enable students to:

• Synthesize knowledge from the physical, social, behavioral and health sciences to roles in the fields of health, fitness and physical education.
• Acquire communication and leadership skills to serve as advocates for the promotion of health and well-being.
• Prepare interventions and programming for a wide range of contemporary health issues.
• Use critical thinking skills and creativity to examine emerging health-related topics and challenges.
• Apply teaching and learning theories to physical and health education
• Utilize information technology and research skills to the study of health, fitness activities and physical education.
• Acquire knowledge and skills related to individual, team and dual sports.
• Incorporate ethical and legal concepts into the examination of health issues.