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Faculty

Chairperson: Professor Deborah Sheehy

Graduate Program Coordinators: 

          Associate Professor Suanne Maurer-Starks (Athletic Training)
          Professor Karen Richardson (Health Promotion/Physical Education)

Professors: Edward Braun, Lydia Burak, Robert Haslam, Joseph Huber, Kathleen Laquale, Amos Nwosu, Ellyn Robinson, Maura Rosenthal, Pamela Russell

Associate Professors: James Leone, Tong-Ching Wu

Assistant Professors: Daniel Chase, Robert Colandreo, Jennifer Mead, Misti Neutzling, Kimberly Wise

Department Telephone Number: 508.531.1215
Location: Tinsley Center, Room 232A
Website: www.bridgew.edu/mahpls

Degree Programs

• BA in Physical Education (awarded for completion of major core without a concentration)
• BS in Physical Education (awarded for completion of major core and selected concentration)
  Concentrations: Coaching, Exercise Science/Health Fitness, Motor Development Therapy/Adapted Physical Education, Recreation, Recreation and Fitness Club Administration, Teacher Licensure in Physical Education PreK-8 and 5-12
• BS in Athletic Training
• BS in Health Studies
  Concentrations: Community Health, School Health
• MEd in Health Promotion
• MS in Athletic Training
• MS in Physical Education
  Concentrations: Adapted Physical Education and Sport, Applied Kinesiology, Human Performance and Health Fitness, Strength and Conditioning, Individualized Program

Postbaccalaureate Teacher Licensure Programs

• Physical Education
• Health (Health, Family and Consumer Sciences)

Undergraduate Minors

• Coaching
• Dance*
• Exercise Physiology
• Health Promotion
• Health Resources Management*
• Nutrition
• Recreation

*Interdisciplinary Minor

Click on Academic Programs  for program information and requirements.

The Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion, and Leisure Studies offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of athletic training, health studies and physical education. At the undergraduate level the department offers a major in physical education, which leads to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree; a major in athletic training, which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree; and a major in health studies, with concentrations in community health and school health, which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, minors in coaching, exercise physiology, health studies, health resources management, nutrition and recreation are also offered. A minor in dance is offered jointly by the Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies and the Department of Theater and Dance, and a minor in health resources management is offered jointly by the Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies and the Department of Management.

Graduate study offered by the department includes a program in the area of health promotion, which leads to a Master of Education in Health Promotion; a program in the area of athletic training, which leads to a Master of Science in Athletic Training; and a program in the area of physical education, which leads to a Master of Science degree in physical education. Postbaccalaureate programs for initial teacher licensure in physical education and health education are available and are described under the department’s graduate programs.

Departmental Mission

The department promotes the acquisition of and application of knowledge for diverse populations in human movement (sport, fitness/exercise, dance), teaching physical education, health studies, recreation, coaching and athletic training. The department prepares athletic trainers; educators in health, physical education and adapted physical education; coaches; and fitness and recreation leaders who can provide qualified leadership in their respective fields and enhance quality of life by encouraging commitment to healthy lifestyle choices.

Departmental Objectives

• Provide a quality physical education program, supported by a foundation in the liberal arts, with seven concentrations providing advanced professional preparation.
• Provide quality physical education activity courses to assist students in developing lifetime activity patterns and to assist in professional preparation.
• Provide a quality health studies major program, including two concentrations, with courses that will prepare students to promote, maintain and improve individual and community health.
• Provide a quality athletic training major with courses that will prepare students to make successful contributions to the athletic training profession.
• Support an atmosphere of health and well being for all students.

Career Opportunities

Many career opportunities exist in the areas of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies. These opportunities are tied to the majors-athletic training, health studies and physical education - and the concentrations within those majors where students are provided with the specific information and skills needed to apply knowledge in professional capacities.

Career opportunities for MAHPLS graduates abound in athletic settings, schools and hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and public or private community agencies and organizations.

The athletic training major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The teacher preparation programs in health and physical education are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

The Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies offers the physical education major an opportunity to seek a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, a comprehensive health education major, leading toward a Bachelor of Science, may be selected. A Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training is also available.

Bachelor of Science - Physical Education

All students majoring in physical education and seeking a Bachelor of Science degree must complete a minimum of 120 credits required for graduation and must complete a designated area of study identified as a concentration. The department offers seven concentrations. Two of the concentrations lead to initial teacher licensure in physical education, one at the PreK-8 level and one at the 5-12 level. The other concentrations have been developed to prepare graduates to pursue career opportunities in community-based organizations such as business, industry, agencies and hospitals. These programs, which include field experiences in various settings in the community, have expanded the role of the professional in the fields of physical education and health promotion beyond the teaching environment in schools, thus preparing the graduate for new career opportunities.

Educator Licensure

Students interested in seeking Massachusetts teacher licensure should refer to the following department links for specific teacher licensure and program requirements: Elementary and Early Childhood Education  or Special Education  for students double majoring in elementary education, early childhood education or special education; or Secondary Education and Professional Programs  for students minoring in secondary education (high school, middle school or PreK-12 specialist).

Honors Program

The honors program in movement arts, health promotion and leisure studies provides highly motivated Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies majors with opportunities to enhance their academic program through intensive scholarly study and research designed to be of assistance in postgraduate employment or in the pursuit of an advanced degree in movement arts, health promotion or leisure studies. Contact the Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies for further information concerning eligibility and application.

Postbaccalaureate Programs

The Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies offers several programs designed to meet the needs of graduate students including: postbaccalaureate programs that allow students to apply for initial licensure as a Teacher of Physical Education (PreK-8 or 5-12) or Teacher of Health Education (PreK-12) and programs leading to the degrees of Master of Education in Health Promotion and Master of Science in Physical Education.

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