Columbia College

• Major in Public Health Science and Delivery

Columbia College’s academic programs are designed to create a total educational experience for women. An important part of this experience is the many opportunities students have to focus on their physical well-being and to enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

Through the Physical Education & Health Promotion (PEHP) program, students learn to develop realistic concepts of the role of physical activity in their lives, and to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their individual health and fitness needs. Students interested in careers related to physical education or health also have the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and certifications necessary to pursue their professional goals.

Courses offered by the department are categorized into three areas:

• Lifetime Activities/Sports (PEA designations).  Examples include golf, weight training, scuba diving, beginning ballet and modern dance, and aerobics
• Health Education (PEHP designations). Courses include such topics as exercise science, nutrition, human sexuality, reproductive health, personal and community health, and drug education
• Special department offerings, including certification for Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training, and First Aid, CPR/AED certifications.
• The PEHP courses are offered for the student who is majoring in Public Health Science and Delivery and the PEA activity courses are offered for elective credits.  A limit of eight semester hours in Lifetime Activities/Sports (one credit hour PEA courses) may count toward a student's graduation requirement.

Major in Public Health Science and Delivery

Public Health Science and Delivery seeks to improve human health by applying knowledge from multiple disciplines to develop an understanding of public health science and the skills of public health delivery.  Students learn to develop advocacy programs that incorporate current health data on critical areas of health behavior and concerns.  Their understanding is grounded scientifically, but with due consideration to human rights and cultural perspectives that characterize our multi-cultural citizenry. 

Faculty Sponsors

Dr. Richard Krejci, Program Coordinator;  Dr. Kirt Moody, Program Coordinator and Division Head

The Requirements for the Major in Public Health Science and Delivery Program Components

The program will include course clusters, independent study, service-learning opportunities, and public health internships.  The specific course requirements include:  Pehp 202: Women’s Health Seminar; Pehp 261: Personal Health and Wellness; Pehp 262: Human Sexuality; Pehp 263: Drug Education; Pehp 264: Nutrition for Wellness; Pehp 301: Women’s Health and Wellness  (Exercise Science) (4 sh); Pehp 370LS: Leadership in Health Promotion and Wellness Programs; Math 104:  Precalculus Algebra; Math 140:  Statistics; Biol 110: Foundations of Biology (4 sh); Biol 230: Human Anatomy (4 sh); Biol 265: Microbiology (4 sh); Biol 330: Human Physiology (4 sh); Chem 121: Chem I; Chem 122: Chem II

Service Learning Opportunities

Service-learning will be incorporated into appropriate upper-level Pehp courses and within the required Core General Education courses.

Appropriate Minors

Communication, Marketing, Psychology, Public Policy, Sociology,  and Spanish.  Students pursuing pre-med  courses may also have to take Calculus, Physics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Histology

Campus and Co-curricular Resources

Campus Wellness Program, Godbold Center, Athletics, Wellness Committee

Community Resources

Drew Wellness Center;  Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers; Local Hospitals;  Local, State, and National Public Health Organizations                                                                                                   

Career Options

MS in Public Health; MS in Exercise Physiology; DPT in Physical Therapy;  Certificate in Integrative Medicine at Duke University; Medical School;  J.D. in Health Law; Health Education and Advocacy in both non-profits and in hospital settings  Please note:  Graduate study in Physical Therapy, Medical School, and other programs may require additional science courses.

Student Wellness and Personal Fitness Opportunities

The Fitness Center located near the rear entrance of the Godbold Center offers free weights, weight machines, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles, treadmills and other fitness equipment. Student hours are posted outside the lab each semester.  A 15 minute orientation session is required by all persons who plan to use the equipment.

The Godbold Center also has a junior Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool that is open for free swim each semester.  There are also six tennis courts, a gymnasium, a fitness trail, and an athletic field (behind the residential cottages) are available daily upon request through the PEHP department.

Fitness courses (PEA) such as Pilates, yoga, high and low impact step, dance and water aerobics are offered each semester through the PEHP department for one hour of credit. Courses may only be taken one time.  On occasion, the Campus Wellness Program will offer group exercise classes for a minimal fee.

Leadership Opportunities in PEHP

The PEHP programt provides interested students the guidance and opportunity to become certified in the community in order to teach group fitness classes. Certifications for First Aid and CPR/AED are offered in PEHP 101 to help prepare students to certify in teaching group exercise classes.  For additional information or assistance, you may contact the PEHP program coordinator at (803) 786-3892.