Health and Exercise Science

Health and Exercise Science

Welcome to the Department of Health and Exercise Science

About the Department
Over the last few years the Department of Health & Exercise Science (DHES) has seen extraordinary transition and growth. In Spring 2014, the DHES moved out of the College of Education to become a School within the College of Science & Math (CSM). The School was originally titled the School of Biomedical Sciences and Health Profession, but was soon changed to the School of Health Professions.

For many years the DHES was comprised if three undergraduate specialization programs: Athletic Training, Health & Physical Education Teacher Certification and Health Promotion & Fitness Management. As a result of faculty and University administrator vision, the DHES has grown to provide educational services for five undergraduate programs and three graduate programs. Many of the Programs are nationally accredited and maintain high outcome measures as they relate to student preparation to enter their respective Professions. Please see the Academic Programs link for a description of these excellent programs.

DHES Faculty
The DHES maintains a diverse faculty that is very student centered. Every member of the HES Department strives to remain on the cutting edge best practices by being active within their various Professions. Many of our faculty have served as leaders within state, regional and national professional associations which enables them to assist students in leadership and networking opportunities. The DHES faculty have published many scholarly and research articles, with their productivity continually to increasing annually. Our faculty members also present their work at workshops and conferences at local, state, regional, national and even international venues. These research projects give students the opportunity to participate in research projects for which they can also seek their own publications. However, our first and foremost passion is preparing students to: become highly competent professionals, develop leadership skills and pursue a level of excellence that is nationally competitive within the respective Professions students choose to enter.

Student Oriented
We treat our students as though they are family, in that we care about their needs both in and out of the classroom. We listen to our students, and continually strive to make program improvements based on their feedback and other evidence based outcomes. We want our students not just to do well, but to excel. You will find our academic programs are challenging, rigorous, relevant and well respected in the professional community.

Feel free to visit us and consider becoming a part of the wonderful opportunities that the Department of Health and Exercise Science has to offer.

Sincerely,
Rob Sterner, PhD, ATC
Chair, Department of Health & Exercise Science
Director, Athletic Training Program
(856) 256-4500, ext. 3767
sterner@rowan.edu
James Hall, Room 1039

Mission Statement

The Department of Health and Exercise Science provides a rigorous and enlightening intellectual environment for the professional development, achievement and distinction of leaders in Education, Athletic Training and Health Promotion and Fitness Management. The Department offers a liberal education as a core in concert with a challenging sequence of discipline specific courses to a diverse community of learners. Through our course offerings, the department will continue to foster the development of a campus culture of civic responsibility, multicultural understanding and technological advancement. The Department of Health and Exercise Science faculty are considered the pivotal element in realizing the departmental mission and goals. We strongly believe all faculty should be encouraged and assisted in the development of their professional careers. This professional development should mirror the promotion standards described below as well as the University Agreement, and in so doing will allow our department as well as individual faculty to become members of Rowan University distinguished community of scholars.

Goals

To immerse students in experiences that forge knowledge, create discipline and foster responsibility as reflected in the goals described below.

  1. To prepare Health and Physical Education teachers to enter the profession and become leaders in the field as well as effective and respected educators.
  2. To develop outstanding health promotion and fitness managers who upon entering the field will provide leadership in corporate, hospital and community health settings.
  3. To educate and place athletic trainers in positions that will utilize their superior skills in the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries.
  4. To develop a community of learners within the department that value a rigorous education and ultimately graduate with pride and respect for the department and Rowan University.
  5. To foster a climate of research and scholarship within the department that encourages and recruits student input and involvement.
  6. To develop an atmosphere in which faculty and students seek out means for both community and campus wide involvement and service.
  7. To provide student mentoring in conjunction with developmental advisement that assists students in accomplishing their academic and career goals.
  8. To encourage all departmental faculty to develop, implement and evaluate their own Professional Development Plan