Health and Human Performance
Director: Lisa Griffin
Professors: Scott Butler, Daniel Czech, Lisa Griffin, Kevin Hunt, Mandy Jarriel, Mike Martino
Associate Professors: Kelly Massey, Jeff Turner
Assistant Professors: Damien Francis, Ernie Kaninjing, Sarah Myers, Jinkyung Park
Senior Lecturers: Liz Speelman
Lecturers: Helen DuPree, Brittney Hardin, Michael Hobbs, Austin Parks, Joanne Spalding
Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 112
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Director, Lisa Griffin, lisa.griffin@gcsu.edu
Assistant Director, Mandy Jarriel, mandy.jarriel@gcsu.edu
Office Coordinator, Toyia Barnes, toyia.barnes@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistant, Sarah McCook, sarah.mccook@gcsu.edu
Mission
The School of Health and Human Performance is a learning community of caring, committed faculty, staff, and students dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service within the liberal arts tradition. Our innovative curricula and services focus on the interactions among human movement, personal growth and wellness. We work with diverse populations in a variety of settings in order to promote healthy lifestyles and societal interactions.
Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredits the B.S. in Athletic Training Education.
The B.S. in Outdoor Education and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College are accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE).
Career Information
Public Health
Graduates from Public Health are prepared to promote, maintain, and improve individual and public health. They assist individuals in adopting healthy behaviors and they work with communities to plan, implement, administer, and evaluate programs that will help encourage healthy lifestyles, policies and environments. They may also serve as a resource person and communicate and advocate for health and health education. Potential employment settings include community organizations; local, state, federal, and international Government agencies; colleges and universities; business and industry; and health care settings. Voluntary credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist is available from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Students will have a strong background in health education and will be excellent candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Kinesiology/Physical Education graduate degree or a Master’s degree in Health Promotion or Public Health after graduation.
Exercise Science
Graduates in Exercise Science are qualified for entry level and managerial positions in corporate, hospital, government, school and private health and fitness programs. Graduates will also be qualified to take several American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association certification examinations. Students will also be qualified to pursue graduate degrees in human performance (both research and clinically based). Graduates in the pre-professional track will have a sufficient knowledge base to be strong applicants for occupational therapy, physician's assistant, and medical school.
Students pursuing Exercise Science will choose from one of three concentration tracks:
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Fitness and Performance concentration for students planning to be personal trainers, strength, conditioning, and/or fitness professionals;
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Pre-Professional concentration for students planning to continue their education in a professional school such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, etc.;
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Sports Medicine concentration for students interested in the area of athletic training who may want to pursue that degree at the graduate level.
Athletic Training
Graduates in Athletic Training are qualified to sit for the National Board of Certification exam. Opportunities exist for employment as certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) in high schools, colleges/universities, sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers, hospitals, wellness/fitness centers, or corporate/industrial settings.
Outdoor Education
Graduates in Outdoor Education are qualified for entry-level positions in recreation, education, corporate and therapeutic organizations that use outdoor and adventure education to enhance their missions. In addition to completing the major requirements, student career options are further enhanced by the selection of a specialization normally in therapeutic use of adventure, management, health and physical education, or environmental education. Specialization selection also prepares graduates to be strong applicants for advanced degrees such as psychology, social work, business, physical education or environmental sciences.
Admission and Retention
Undergraduate degree programs in the School of Health and Human Performance are competitive and rigorous. Students may declare a major in Exercise Science, Public Health or Outdoor Education at any point (typically freshman year), but each of these programs is very demanding. In order to remain in the program, students will have to achieve and maintain a GPA of 2.5-2.75 as well as uphold the highest of professional work ethics. Students seeking Athletic Training degrees will be considered pre-majors until applications for admission have been approved. All students in Health and Human Performance programs should concentrate, during their freshman and sophomore years, on successfully completing general education core Areas A,B,C,D and E and appropriate Area F courses for the major of interest. Many agencies where clinical and practical experiences take place require students to undergo a criminal background check, urine drug screens and to meet the CDC standards for immunizations for health care professionals. Students desiring to enter such programs should consider these requirements. Agencies may refuse any student based on inability to meet these guidelines or other agency guidelines. Refusal of an agency to accept a student may delay or prevent a student from completing a program. Certification agencies may also refuse to license individuals who have committed certain criminal acts or other acts of moral turpitude.
In the spring of the sophomore year, students interested in the Athletic Training program complete a formal application (available on line). To be eligible for admission into Athletic Training in the School of Health and Human Performance, students must have satisfied the following criteria:
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Completion of Areas A, B, C, D, E and F of the core by the end of the summer prior to entry into the program.
- Grade Point Average of 2.75
- Two letters of recommendation
- Proof of professional liability insurance
- Personal interview
- Acknowledgement of Technical Standards
- Medical examination
- Agreement to adhere to accredited policy, student expectations, or technical standards
Students must obtain grades of C or better on all Area F, major and minor courses and maintain at least a 2.75 GPA. In the event that a student’s GPA falls below 2.75, one semester will be given to bring it back up. If it remains below 2.75 after that time, the student will be exited from the program and will have to re-apply once the GPA is at an acceptable level. Readmission into the program is not guaranteed.
Wellness Courses and Lifetime Activities
The School of Health and Human Performance is committed to the concept of holistic health. In keeping with this commitment, elective courses are offered which support the Liberal Arts mission of the institution and provide the individual with the knowledge and skills to enable them to achieve optimal health. Courses offered include KINS 2303 - Personal Health and Fitness, and a broad range of Wellness courses that contribute to fitness and lifetime skills.
Additional Information
For more information about undergraduate programs, career options, minors, application procedures, student organizations, visit the School of Health and Human Performance Web site.