Health and Human Performance

http://hhp.cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5558
Wes Dudgeon, Chair

About the Department

The Department of Health and Human Performance offers majors in exercise science, physical education teacher education, and public health, and a minor in coaching. The Department also offers a wide range of activity courses that enrich the overall student experience at the College of Charleston. The department’s primary mission is to develop inspirational, global leaders in education, science and research, promoting critical thinking skills to stimulate intellectual curiosity. The Department of Health and Human Performance provides excellent academic training and experiences for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in medicine, physical therapy and other allied health professions.

Exercise Science, B.S.

The undergraduate degree program in exercise science is designed for students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in exercise science and/or attend graduate programs in the allied health professions (physical therapy, physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, and nursing), medicine, and dentistry. The program provides students with the core competencies to become certified as a Health/Fitness Specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and/or as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Students receive training and experiences to qualify them for careers in the exercise/sport sciences and careers in the fitness/wellness industry. Students take courses in exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology (functional anatomy), motor control and development, fitness assessment and exercise prescription, therapeutic exercise, and other areas. These programs develop “core competencies” for Health/Fitness Specialist certification (ACSM) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification (NSCA). Content areas on the Health/Fitness Specialist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exams are closely paralleled by the course offerings in the exercise science major. Requirements for completion of this major can be found in the Programs of Study Section of the catalog.

Physical Education, Teacher Education Concentration, B.S.

The undergraduate degree program in physical education teacher education is designed for candidates who seek to become certified public school physical education teachers in grades PreK - 12. The physical education teacher education program is nationally recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). Requirements for completion of this major can be found in the Programs of Study Section of the catalog.

Public Health, B.S.

Public Health majors will examine health on local, national, and global levels as they learn to think critically about health issues in multiple contexts. This degree prepares students for a variety of jobs in the health sector or for advanced degrees in public health or other health-related fields. The Public Health B.S. program is recommended for students who are considering careers in allied health fields as well as non-profit or for-profit health agencies, health promotion programs, or public health administration to name a few. Those students interested in health communication, health policy or health administration should also consider the Public Health B.A. program offered through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Requirements for completion of this major can be found in the Programs of Study Section of the catalog.

Coaching Minor

The coaching minor is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of coaching at all levels: youth, elementary, high school, college and professional. This minor is designed to assist coaches in developing effective organizational, motivational and teaching strategies to guide successful programs. The coaching minor is available to students in all majors, provided there is no overlap in course requirements. Requirements for completion of this minor can be found in the Minor Requirements Section of the catalog.

Majors

Minors

Coaching Minor