Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources
The Department of Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources, 703-993-2060, in the Graduate School of Education prepares students for careers in health and physical education, athletic training, parks and outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, health promotion, tourism and events management, and sport management. The BS in Athletic Training (pending accreditation) prepares students for eligibility to take the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification examination and employment in athletic training facilities.* The BSEd in Physical Education prepares students for a career in teaching (PK-12) in public and private schools. The BS in Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources prepares students for supervisory and management careers in private and public parks recreation systems, therapeutic recreation communities, health promotion agencies, sport management organizations, and tourism and events management sites. The MS in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion prepares professionals for advanced work in the field. The MAIS concentration in Recreation Resources Management is designed for practicing professionals and students seeking advanced careers and furthering their knowledge in the field of recreation and natural resources management. FacultyProfessors: Brayley, Ruhling, Weaver, D. Wiggins (Chair) Associate Professors: Anderson, Bever, Kozlowski, Miller, Rikard, E. Rodgers, P. Rodgers, Schack, Walker Assistant Professors: Banville, Bowen, Caswell, Daniels, Lawton, Lozar, B. Wiggins, White Instructors: Johnson, Norden Administrative Faculty: Kanawati, Lee, Rajnik, Shaffer, Simons-Rudolph Course WorkThe department offers all course work designated EFHP, HEAL, PHED, PRLS, SPMT, and TOUR in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog. Outdoor Adventure, Recreation, and Sports Program courses are offered for elective credit to George Mason students. These courses are included under PHED and PRLS. Undergraduate MinorsMinor in Exercise Science (EXS)Students must complete 16 credits (8 unique to the minor) distributed as follows:
Minor in Health Promotion (HPR)Students must complete 18 credits distributed as follows:
Minor in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (PRLS)By completing the following 18 credits (8 unique to the minor) of coursework, students will be introduced to the theoretical models of leisure and the applied aspects of planning, administering, and evaluating parks and recreation programs in an inclusive environment.
Minor in Sport Management (SPMT)Students must complete 18 credits (8 unique to the minor) distributed as follows:
Minor in Tourism and Events Management (TEM)Students must complete no fewer than 18 credits of study. At least 9 creditsmust be completed at George Mason University and 8 must be unique to the minor. No more than 3 credits of a D grade in the minor are accepted. Required courses are as follows:
The remaining 3 credits requirement may be met by successful completion of one of the following courses:
Undergraduate Certificate ProgramCertificate in Outdoor AdventureThe 24-credit Outdoor Adventure Certificate program provides students with specialized skills unique to a variety of outdoor adventure activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, and challenge course facilitation. Coursework focuses on both the acquisition of technical skills and application of theory-to-experiential learning in an out door adventure curriculum. Students completing certificate requirements will be certified as Wilderness First Responders and Leave-No-Trace Trainers and will be fully prepared to work as challenge course facilitators at Outdoor Education and Adventure Education organizations. This cross-disciplinary initiative combines the resources and services of the Department of Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources and Hemlock Overlook Center for Outdoor Education. Other CertificatesStudents also may complete a certificate program outside Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources in environmental management (27 credits, see the Biology section of the "College of Arts and Sciences" chapter) and gerontology (24 credits, see the "College of Nursing and Health Science" chapter). Parks and outdoor recreation students interested in the environmental management certificate should take BIOL 213 and either BIOL 303 or 304 instead of BIOL 103 and 104; students interested in the gerontology certificate should take BIOL 124 and 125. Undergraduate ProgramsPhysical Education, BSEdThis degree prepares students for a career in teaching. Teacher Licensure in Health and Physical Education PK-12 (PHED)The teacher education program is accredited and approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Virginia State Department of Education. The application process for admission follows, depending on the applicant: Four-Year Students: Students entering as freshmen can apply to the BSEd program after taking a minimum of 45 credits, attaining a cumulative GPA of 2.500, and submitting a passing score for the Praxis I test. Students must have passing grades in BIOL 124, 125, PHED 201 and 202. Transfer Students: Degree-seeking students can apply to BSEd by using their cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher for a minimum of 45 credits from their previous university, or they can complete 12 credits at George Mason University with a minimum of a 2.500 GPA. They must submit passing scores on Praxis I and have passing grades in BIOL 124, 125, PHED 201 and 202. Students who already have a degree from any discipline and are seeking licensure can apply to BSEd if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher on their last 60 credits of course work from their previous university or after completing 12 credits at George Mason. Applicants must submit a passing score on the Praxis I test and have passing grades in BIOL 124 and 125. Degree RequirementsThe degree requires a minimum of 123 credits with the final semester devoted to student teaching. To enroll in student teaching, students must have a minimum 2.500 GPA or higher in their last 60 credits of course work. They must submit scores on all parts of Praxis I. MAJORS ONLY: Students are not permitted to enroll in the following courses until they have met BSEd application requirements: HEAL 405; PHED 306, 308, 403, 404, and 415. Student Teaching Internship ApplicationStudent teaching applications are available from the Department of Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources (at the Prince William and Fairfax Campuses) and the Office of Student and Faculty Services (Graduate School of Education, Robinson Hall). The application must be completed one semester before taking PHED 415 Student Teaching in Physical Education. Application deadlines for student teaching internships: fall semesterFebruary 1 (advisor), February 15 (Office of Student and Faculty Services); spring semesterSeptember 1 (advisor), September 15 (Office of Student and Faculty Services). Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.500 during their last 60 degree-specific credits. Writing Intensive RequirementThe university's writing intensive requirement for Teacher Licensure in Health and Physical Education is satisfied by the successful completion of PHED 365.
Athletic Training, BSThe Athletic Training Education Program provides the educational and clinical experiences concerning the management of injuries and health problems associated with physical activity. The goal is to provide educational and clinical experiences that will equip students with the knowledge and skills that must be mastered within an entry-level athletic training program. Degree RequirementsThe degree requires a minimum of 121 credits. Students begin in the first level of the program upon their admission to George Mason University by enrolling in prerequisite courses. These courses include BIOL 124, 125; HEAL 110, 205, and 330; and PHED 328 and 329. PHED 329 requires $110 laboratory fee. After successful completion of Level I prerequisite course students will enroll in didactic and clinical education courses along with other professional courses. In Level II students begin clinical education assignments. Typically, athletic training didactic courses are paired with a clinical education course. Levels II through IV require prerequisites such as:
The following list depicts those professional courses that students should take in each level of the program. **
During Level IV students will complete all courses that will also include PHED 441 Practicum. This course is a capstone for the Athletic Training Education Program and is a synthesis requirement of the General Education program at George Mason University. PHED 441 will be offered following the students' completion of the professional courses in the major. Therefore, PHED 441 will be offered during the spring semester of the students' graduating year. Levels II, III, and IV involve clinical education. There are five clinical education courses in the Athletic Training Education Program (PHED 333, 335, 337, 413, 441). Students may enroll in only one clinical course per semester. Therefore, students can expect to enroll in a clinical education course for five semesters in order to complete the degree. Students will be assigned to a clinical instructor to satisfy clinical education requirements. Students will develop a schedule with their Clinical Instructor requiring approximately 15 to 20 hours per week throughout the semester at the clinical setting. Total clinical hours will consist of 225 hours. Clinical assignments may be in athletic training settings such as in the secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine and other medical clinics, industry, and military training programs. Students will be evaluated concerning the attainment of proficiencies related to athletic training. Evaluation will occur in academic courses as well as in the clinical setting. Transfer students must produce results of proficiency evaluations that were attained at their previous university in order to transfer such course work. There will be further evaluation of these proficiencies related to those courses that transfer to Mason. Students should meet with their advisor prior to scheduling courses every semester in order to enroll in appropriate courses. Writing Intensive RequirementThe university's writing intensive requirement for Athletic Training is satisfied by the successful completion of PRLS 450.
* The Athletic Training Education Program has been recommended for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) joint review committee on Educational Programs is Athletic Training. Awarding of accreditation by CAAHEP is not guaranteed. Copies of the technical standards are in the Admissions Office, the Program Director's office, the HFRR administrative office, and on the HFRR website (www.gmu.edu/departments/hfrr). **A complete Academic Plan may be found on the web at www.gmu.edu/departments/hfrr. Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources, BSConcentrations include the following: Exercise Science (ES)Exercise science provides an emphasis on promotion of healthy lifestyles outside school settings. This degree prepares students for supervisory and managerial careers in private and public fitness agencies and clinical and public safety settings. Students complete supervised internships in professional settings. There is a minor in Exercise Science. Health Promotion (HPR)Health promotion prepares students for supervisory and managerial careers in voluntary health organizations and nonprofit and managed care organizations, as well as hospital wellness centers, health departments, and health clubs. The degree includes courses on topics such as nutrition, contemporary health problems, and community health systems. Students complete supervised internships in professional settings. There is a minor in Health Promotion. Parks and Outdoor Recreation (POR)Parks and outdoor recreation majors learn about the contribution of recreation and parks to the well being and quality of life of the public. The curriculum includes courses in natural resources management, outdoor recreation programming, and environmental education. The program is seeking accreditation by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA/AALR). Graduates are employed in national, state and local recreation and park agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private and commercial operations. Students complete supervised internships in professional settings. There is a minor in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. Sport Management (SPM)Sport management students prepare for management positions in the sport industry, which is the 11th-largest industry in the United States. Included among its many professional positions are marketing coordinators, event management specialists, athletic directors, program coordinators, public relations managers, and human resource specialists. The program is seeking certification by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Awarding of accreditation by NASSM is not guaranteed. Students complete course work in sport marketing and finance, sport and ethics, and a supervised internship in a professional setting. There is a minor in Sport Management. Therapeutic Recreation (TR)Therapeutic recreation students learn to provide recreation services for people with disabilities. Completion of the foundations course, as well as issues and assessment courses, prepares students for an internship under a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and preparation for the National Exam. The program is seeking accreditation by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA/AALR). Graduates find employment in local, state, and federal recreation settings, senior/adult day health care context, nonprofit organizations, and educational and clinical institutions working with all ages across the life span. Tourism and Events Management (TEM)Tourism and events management students prepare to enter a diverse profession in the world's third-largest industry. Built on the curricula cornerstones of resort management, environmental tourism, event management, and cultural and heritage tourism, the courses equip students with knowledge, skills, and experience in managing the tourism experience for the benefit of the traveler, the host, and the supporting industry. Graduates are employed in commercial, private, and public agencies, and in a wide variety of jobs and many geographic or business settings. There is a minor in Tourism and Events Management with a work experience option.
Graduate ProgramsExercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion, MSThis program prepares professionals in the fields of health and physical education, fitness, and health promotion/disease prevention to either pursue advanced academic training (doctoral program) or more adequately serve their communities. Admission RequirementsIn addition to fulfilling graduate admission requirements, the applicant must do the following:
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be offered provisional or nondegree status in accordance with general regulations of the Graduate Council. Admission decisions are made whenever applicants' files are complete. Candidates may enroll in any term during the following year, although fall enrollment is recommended given the course sequence. Degree RequirementsThe following courses, totaling 30 credits, constitute the degree requirements:
Students choosing to do a thesis must recruit an advisor to supervise thesis work and lead the thesis committee. The advisor must be a member of the exercise, fitness, and health promotion graduate faculty. Students may not register for thesis credit until a proposal has been approved by the graduate coordinator after consulting with the thesis advisor. The graduate coordinator appoints two members to the thesis committee, one of whom may be outside the program, on the basis of recommendations from the student and thesis advisor. Nonthesis Option Students who choose the non-thesis option must complete 12 credits of electives and a written comprehensive examination in the semester (or summer) which they expect all course requirements for the degree to be completed. |
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