Health, Leisure, & Exercise Science

Faculty:  C.B. Williamson (Chairperson), J.L. Bergen, S.L. Brezina, F.S. Bridges, R.R. Castle, A.T. Gross (Emeritus), W.M. Healey, T.S. Marzilli, T. Nguyen, S.F. Philipp, S. Ryan, P.B. Schuler, W.G. Thatcher, E.G. Watson (Emeritus)

Bachelor's degree specializations in the Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science prepare students for positions in teaching, the health and fitness industry, leisure services, and graduate study.

The Exercise Science Specialization is designed for the student interested in pursuing a career in the fitness industry, clinical field, or graduate school. 

The Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management specialization is designed to prepare students for career positions in recreation program services, services at parks and community centers, tourism services and facilities, and leisure facilities management. There is a strong emphasis on tourism, park resources, and recreation programming with a focus on environment and natural resources. Students are trained to assume positions of leadership and will culminate their academic program with an internship in the field.

A State-approved teacher education certification program is available in physical education (K-8, 6-12). Teacher certification in driver education is also available in the department.

Requirements for teacher education programs may change due to legislative mandates. Therefore, the actual program requirements may differ from those listed in the catalog. Candidates must inquire with the Chair of the Division of Teacher Education or with Teacher Education Student Services to obtain the most current program requirements.

The Sports Medicine/Athletic Training specialization is designed to prepare students for an entry-level career in the athletic training profession (high school, college/university, professional, industrial, or sports medicine clinic/outreach settings). This program, specifically designed to meet national and state licensure requirements, includes a two-year comprehensive plan of study that combines classroom and clinical education components to become board certified as a National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). Students graduating from this program are eligible to sit for the NATABOC Certification Examination and athletic training state licensure/certification in Florida (as well as other states). The program currently offers students an internship route towards athletic training certification. As of January 1, 2004, any student wishing to become a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer must graduate from an undergraduate athletic training education program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Sports Medicine/Athletic Training specialization program is currently seeking CAAHEP-accreditation.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
In addition to general University requirements, students seeking the B.S. degree must meet the requirements listed below.

Candidates for admission to UWF's NCATE/DOE approved teacher education programs must meet admission requirements detailed under Admission to Teacher Education. In addition to the program requirements noted below, teacher education students must also complete requirements specified under Teacher Education.

Physical Education majors must include in the lower division requirements at least 9 sh of course work with international or diversity focus. Consult with your academic advisor for appropriate courses.

Physical Education majors who do not seek teacher certification may choose the non-certification major in Physical Education.

All students seeking a degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training must go through a formal application process to be admitted into the program. Students may declare their major in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training, but are not formally admitted into the program until the Fall semester of each year and have met all minimal application requirements. Students must present and maintain a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on all completed academic work, as well as meeting other requirements including prerequisite coursework, physical examination by a licensed physician, supervised clinical hours under a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer, phone or on-campus interview with an Athletic Training faculty person and fingerprint identification. A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all major courses. For more information, contact the department.

Course descriptions are listed alphabetically by prefix in the back of this catalog. For courses with a dash in the course number, contact the offering department for information.

PARKS, RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZATION

General Studies (36 sh)
Leisure studies majors should take STA 1013 and MAC 1105 to satisfy the mathematics component of General Studies.

For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog. 

Common Prerequisites
None

Lower Division Electives (24 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

EXERCISE SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

General Studies (36 sh)
Exercise Science majors should take PSY 2013 or DEP 2004 to satisfy the social science/behavioral perspective component, STA 1013/2023 and MAC 1105 to satisfy the mathematics component, PHI 2100 or SPC 2016 to satisfy the humanities/values and expressions component, and BSC 1085/L and BSC 1086/L to satisfy the natural sciences component of General Studies.

For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog.

Common Prerequisites (8 sh)
State mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program.

+ Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Studies requirements.

Lower Division Electives (16-23 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Recommend PET 2622 and either PEO 2031 or PET 2060 be taken at the lower division.

Upper Division Electives (0-3 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION (K-8)

General Studies (36 sh)
Physical Education majors should take BSC 1085/L to satisfy 4 sh of the natural science component and STA 1013/2023 and MAC 1105 to satisfy the mathematics component of General Studies. 

For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog.

Common Prerequisites (23-25 sh)
State mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. Courses in brackets indicate substitutions from Florida Public Community/Junior Colleges and Universities.

+ Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Studies requirements.

Lower Division Electives (0-8 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Upper Division Electives (8 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

The following courses are recommended:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION (6-12)

General Studies (36 sh)
Same as Physical Education Specialization, Teacher Certification (K-8)

Common Prerequisites (23-25 sh)
Same as Physical Education Specialization, Teacher Certification (K-8)

Lower Division Electives (0-8 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Major-Related (17 sh)
Same as Physical Education Specialization Teacher Certification (K-8).

Upper Division Electives (5 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION NON-TEACHER CERTIFICATION

General Studies (36 sh)
Same as Physical Education Specialization, Teacher Certification (K-8).

Common Prerequisites (23-25 sh)
Same as Physical Education Specialization, Teacher Certification (K-8).

Lower Division Electives (0-8 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Upper Division Electives (15 sh)
Sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF's requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or completion of all departmental requirements at the 3000/L 4000 level, whichever is greater.

SPORTS MEDICINE/ATHLETIC TRAINING SPECIALIZATION

General Studies (36 sh)
For additional information see the General Studies section of this catalog. Students should take BSC 1085/L and 1086/L to satisfy the natural science component of General Studies.

Common Prerequisites (8 sh)
State mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program.

+ Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Studies requirements.

Lower Division Electives (16-23 sh)
Sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4999) to meet this elective requirement.

Upper Division Electives (0 sh)

MINOR
The 17 sh Minor in Leisure Studies requires students to select from the following courses. Contact department for advisement.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Athletic Training Internship Program
Division of Health, Leisure, & Exercise Science currently offers an internship route for students to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC). In addition to various academic requirements for the Certification Examination, all internship-route students must complete a minimum of 1500 clinical clock hours under the direct supervision of Certified Athletic Trainer(s). This original program is designed to meet the academic requirements to sit for the Certification Examination, as well as state licensure requirements for athletic trainers. If a student has not met all requirements to sit for the Certification Examination by January 1, 2004, then he/she must then graduate from a CAAHEP accredited athletic training curriculum program. The Sports Medicine/Athletic Training program is currently pursuing national accreditation as an undergraduate athletic training curriculum. For more information, contact the department.

Driver Education Certification
Students with a bachelor's level teaching certification can become certified to teach driver education by completion of the following courses: