Health Sciences

Department Chair: Melissa Knight-Maloney
Email: knightmalo_m@fortlewis.edu

Professors: Melissa Knight-Maloney and Philip Shuler
Associate Professor: Jennifer Lowell
Assistant Professors: Gwang-Yon Hwang, Susumu Iwasaki, Sara Newman, Margaret Shields and Melissa Thompson
Lecturers: Jaymee Carozza and Jeb Davis

Departmental Descriptions

The Health Sciences Department aims to meet the needs of our graduates to function as critically thinking professionals within the health care disciplines. We strive to prepare students for the current job market by providing a scientific knowledge base and a variety of opportunities for practical experience. The Health Sciences Department is comprised of two general areas: Exercise Science and Public Health.

Programs of Study

The Health Sciences faculty encourage students to maintain frequent contact with their departmental and professional advisors to ensure timely completion of the major.

The Health Sciences Department offers four majors; Exercise Physiology , Exercise and Health Promotion , Sport Administration , and Public Health .

The Exercise Physiology Major is designed to study acute and chronic physical and mental adaptations to various exercise conditions. Exercise Physiologist examine the role that exercise has in diminishing or reversing the progression of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as studying the adaptations of athletes to a variety of training programs. This major is designed for students that plan to attend graduate programs in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning or physical therapy. Students with an interest in allied health professions or clinical positions that focus on cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes treatment and prevention may also choose an Exercise Physiology Major. This major will prepare students for a variety of certifications, including The National Council on Strength and Fitness Personal Trainer Certification.

Students who are planning on pursuing a careers in health and wellness instruction/coaching, corporate health promotions, or physical education, should consider the Exercise and Health Promotion Major . Exercise and Health Promotion professionals guide individuals in developing physical fitness and improving personal health and wellness. This major will provide students with the requisite knowledge to pursue a variety of careers in the health and fitness field, which has recently seen tremendous growth. This major will also prepare students to sit for a variety of certifications including The National Council on Strength and Fitness Personal Trainer Certification. Students wanting to obtain K-12 Physical Education licensure should enroll in the Exercise and Health Promotion Major and contact the Teacher Education Department.

The Sport Administration Major is designed for students who are interested in working with professional, collegiate or community sport and athletic organizations. Students in this major take courses in the Health Sciences department as well as in the School of Business Administration. In order to fully prepare our students, this option combines both an academic foundation and practical experience, including two field placements.

The Public Health Major is for students who are interested in the science and practice of protecting and improving population and community health through disease prevention, health education and promotion, environmental monitoring, and research. Public health professionals study how genetics, social and behavioral factors, and the environment affect health outcomes. The overall goal of public health is to develop programs and interventions that enhance the health of communities. Public health graduates in medical care, health education and promotion, environmental health assessment, epidemiology, disease prevention, health management, behavioral health, and health policy. Public health graduates may find employment in local, state, and federal health agencies, public health departments, hospitals, schools, tribal agencies, laboratories, non-profit organizations, NGOs, and academic settings.

Majors in Health Sciences

Exercise Physiology Major
Exercise and Health Promotion Major
Public Health Major
Sport Administration Major

Minors in Health Sciences

Coaching Minor
Exercise Science Minor
Public Health Minor

Teacher Licensure

Students can add the required education courses for teacher licensure to the Exercise and Health Promotion Major in place of free elective courses. Students must adhere to the Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Requirements. Students must be admitted to the Teacher Licensure program to enroll in 400-level ED prefix courses. Students must subsequently be admitted to Student Teaching.