Health Fitness In Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs Major
Why study health fitness in preventive and rehabilitative programs at CMU?
The health fitness in preventive and rehabilitative programs major at CMU prepares students for careers in the areas of clinical exercise rehabilitation and community fitness, as well as for continuing their education in graduate or professional programs. This undergraduate major enjoys an excellent reputation and its graduates are recognized among the best-prepared professionals in the region. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Practical classroom instruction and exercise laboratories offering hands-on experiences using current fitness assessment and testing equipment
- A capstone clinical or corporate internship to gain real-world experience
- Professional development through on-campus organizations such as Eta Alpha Epsilon, the honorary health fitness fraternity
- Preparation for certification as a clinical Exercise Specialist or Health Fitness Instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Wage and salary employment in the health care industry is projected to increase 27 percent.
- Total employment of home health aides is projected to increase by 56 percent, medical assistants by 52 percent, physician assistants by 50 percent, and physical therapist assistants by 44 percent.
- Specialized clinical training is a requirement for many jobs in health care and is an asset even for many administrative jobs that do not specifically require it.
Career options
Graduates of the health fitness in preventive and rehabilitative programs major at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Wellness Program Coordinator
- Health Promotions Coordinator
- Health or Nutrition Consultant
- Exercise Researcher
- Health/Wellness Writer or Editor
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Worker
- Exercise Physiologist
- Medical Assistant
- Home Health Aide
- Personal Trainer
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Health Fitness In Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs Major
This major prepares students through academic coursework, laboratory and internship experiences to work in the field of exercise science to promote fitness and the prevention and rehabilitation of chronic disease. Students completing a supervised internship experience in a clinical or corporate/commercial setting (HSC 322B) may be eligible for national certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (A.C.S.M.).
A minimum of 6 semesters is necessary to complete the entire program. However, due to class availability and supervised internship experience availability it may take a student longer to complete the entire program. The program is structured into phases, which include:
A. Required Courses I
B. Required Courses II
C. Electives chosen in consultation with the advisor.
( Total: 57 semester hours )
(23 hours)
Required Courses II
(Minimum of 3 semesters)
3
HSC 220 Basics In Health Fitness
Theory and practices related to exercise testing and administration. Practical experience in body composition techniques, electrocardiography, and fitness evaluation. Prerequisites: HSC 214, HSC 215.
3
HSC 308/PES 308 Physiology of Sport and Exercise
Lectures on basic principles of physiology of exercise. The basics of exercise, performance conditioning, and the human organism response to these conditions. Identical to PES 308. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: HSC 211; or HSC 214, 215.
2
HSC 310 ECG Assessment
Emphasis is placed on the recognition and interpretation of normal and abnormal resting and exercise ECG's. Includes lab experience in resting and exercise ECG monitoring. Prerequisites: HSC 214, HSC 215.
3
HSC 411 Pathophysiology
Study of body's physiological responses to disease states. Emphasis is placed on the interactions among body systems and the alterations in homeostatic mechanisms. Prerequisite: HSC 211 or HSC 215 or BIO 392.
3
HSC 503 Health Implications of Obesity
Obesity and overweight will be studied with special emphasis on diet, nutrition, and exercise. Modes of prevention and treatment will also be discussed.
3
HSC 547 Health Risk Identification and Management
Health risk factors associated with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases will be identified and studied. Management, and risk to morbidity and mortality will be emphasized. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisite: Signed Health Fitness in Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs major or graduate status.
3
HSC 550 Stress Test Administration
Course in theory and methods of administering exercise stress tests using different modes of exercise and consideration of different populations. Includes classroom and practical experience. Prerequisites: HSC 220 or 420; HSC 308; HSC 310; grade of C or better in each course; or graduate status.
3
HSC 551 Stress Testing Interpretation
Course in analysis of information gained from exercise testing, studying deviations from normal, and applications of exercise test information in adult fitness and cardiac rehabilitation programs. Prerequisites: HSC 550 with a grade of C or higher.
(25 hours)
Required Courses I
(Minimum of 3 semesters)
3
BIO 101 General Biology
The study of living organisms. Fundamental principles of biology are integrated with local and global issues of current interest. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. No credit toward Biology major or minor. May be used toward satisfying the requirements of Integrated Science major or minor for students seeking certification in Elementary Education only. Students may only earn credit in one of the following: BIO 101, BIO 105, or BIO 110. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group II-A)
4
CHM 120 Survey of Chemistry
Elementary concepts in chemistry. For students on curricula needing minimal chemical background or students with no or weak chemistry background who need additional preparation for CHM 131. Cannot be counted on a Chemistry or Biochemistry major or Chemistry minor. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group II-B) Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 105 (preferably with a B or better).
1
CHM 127 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
Elementary laboratory experiments which parallel syllabus in CHM 111 and CHM 120. Recommended for students in dietetics, sports medicine, health education, and elementary/middle school education. Pre/Co-Requisites: CHM 111 or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B)
2
HSC 205 Responding to Emergencies
Includes CPR and first aid care. American Red Cross certification for first aid and CPR can be earned.
4
HSC 214 Human Anatomy
A comprehensive course in the structure of the human body organized by systems. Laboratory work includes identification of fundamental anatomical structures on models and cadavers. Prerequisites: HSC 211 or college level natural science course.
4
HSC 215 Human Physiology
A comprehensive course that studies the function of the organ systems of the human body. Laboratory work in fundamental physiological principles is included. Pre/Co-Requisite: HSC 214.
2
PED 189 Weight Training and Conditioning
This is a personal fitness course. It will cover the importance of muscular work for acquiring strength needed for successful performance in most physical activities and its relationship to the total conditioning program.
2
PES 186/PED 186 Physical Fitness for Life
Study of physical fitness concepts; development of a personal fitness profile and program. Recommended for everyone irrespective of age, sex, or skill and fitness level. Identical to PED 186. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
Survey of concepts, methods, and fields of psychology. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-A)
Elective coursework is chosen in consultation with the major advisor, based upon the career interests and goals of the individual student. A full-time clinical or corporate/commercial internship (HSC 322B, 8 hours) is strongly encouraged for eligible students to prepare for certification and to enhance marketability.