The department offers programs leading to bachelor degrees in either liberal arts or education, with specializations in athletic training, health, education, outdoor recreation, physical education, and sports science. A Master of Science degree is also available for students wishing to pursue advanced study in exercise science.
Athletic Training
The athletic training major is designed to prepare and qualify students to take the National Athletic Trainers Association Certification Examination. Upon obtaining certification, students will be qualified athletic trainers for positions in settings such as high schools, colleges, sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation centers or private industry. Students who enter the major must achieve a grade of B- or higher in athletic training courses, and a “C” or higher in other courses within the curriculum.
Requirements in the athletic training major will include the core athletic training classes (59 credits) and many hours of clinical “hands-on” experience under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer. In April 2003, the athletic training program at Northern Michigan University received its initial accreditation from CAAHEP (Commission on Accrediting Allied Health Education Programs). Northern's accreditation period is for a five-year period. It is the intention of the NMU athletic training program to ensure a solid clinical experience that includes exposure to a wide variety of athletic training experiences.
Health Education and Management of Health and Fitness
There are three major programs in this division: Community Health Education, Secondary Education Health Education and Management of Health and Fitness. These professional programs are designed to: promote the development of health literacy; prepare students for entry level health promotion/health education positions in line with appropriate professional standards; build upon liberal studies foundations; and prepare students for graduate school, should it be desired.
Students selecting these majors will learn to use health promotion and disease prevention interventions in ethical ways to affect the health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of various target populations in a variety of settings (worksites, schools, hospitals/clinics, public health agencies, health clubs, geriatric centers and others). Content areas involve the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental and occupational components of health promotion and disease prevention. Selection of major depends upon what the overall goals and interests of the student are relative to career objectives, content areas liked, population the students want to work with, and career setting desired.
An internship, field experience, or student teaching experience is included in each major. These majors also help students prepare to earn certifications such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health and Fitness Instructor Certification, the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Accreditation, and relevant Michigan Teacher Certifications. It is recommended that students take HL 110 (Introduction to Health and Fitness Education) to further explore these majors and career opportunities in the field.
Physical Education
The primary aim of the undergraduate professional physical education program is the preparation of physical education majors through the acquisition of knowledge, the development of skills and the development of a positive attitude toward activity and fitness that will enable them to perform effectively in a teaching role. More specifically, the major students: (1) obtain knowledge about human movement, such as physiology of muscular activity, the neural and kinesiological basis of movement, measurement and evaluation of motor performance and methodology of teaching motor skills; (2) develop personal skills in a variety of activities in addition to teaching skills; (3) acquire sensitivity to, and understanding of, human relations in the learning environment by participating in a variety of laboratory and field experiences.
Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management
The outdoor recreation leadership and management major is for students who expect to pursue a career or graduate work in leisure services, outdoor recreation, protected area management or related fields. The major provides an academic foundation that meets professional standards in leisure studies, in general, and outdoor recreation, in particular. Also, the major provides varied opportunities for students to develop additional competencies for more specialized entry-level positions in leisure and outdoor recreation settings. The learning environment is small scale and friendly and uses both traditional and experiential learning strategies.
The student organization, Organization for Outdoor Recreation Professionals (OORP) exists to address student interests and concerns and provide leadership experiences. A variety of career-relevant jobs and volunteer work exist in the department and on campus. Graduates may be self-employed or may find employment in interpretive or outdoor education centers, organized camps, resorts, outfitters and guide services, colleges, adventure programs, county and city recreation and parks departments, state and federal land and water resource management agencies and a variety of nonprofit organizations and businesses related to the field of outdoor recreation.
Sports Science
The sports science major is a graduate school preparation program of study for students who have focused interests in sport and exercise science. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences of human biology, chemistry and physics and introductory-level study in the applied areas of exercise physiology, kinesiology/biomechanics and sport nutrition. Successful graduates will have completed prerequisites for graduate study in more specific exercise science disciplines.