• Coaching
• Aquatics
• Sport & Physical Education in Correctional Settings

With your degree in Health and Physical Education, you will be certified to teach at the kindergarten through twelfth grade levels. Your coursework will incorporate teaching theory and technique with hands-on practical application and will teach you effective communication and problemsolving skills. The broad range of classes includes lifetime, team and individual sports, and more biologically-focused courses primarily devoted to the health component. In
addition to the teaching degree, you may also select one of the tracks listed.

Our very active student club, the Lock Haven Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD), has many activities and charitable fundraisers throughout the year. In addition, upper-level students act as mentors for first-year students. Along with student executive officers and faculty advisors, you may also attend local, state and
national conferences.

The program is accredited by AAHE (American Association for Health Education), NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education), PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) and NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).

Student Teaching

In your senior year, you will be assigned two seven-week placements (one elementary and one secondary) at a school within a 50 to 60 mile radius of the LHU campus. Some students also choose to student teach in the Philadelphia area. You also have the option to choose placement abroad in countries such as Australia, England, Spain or Belgium.

Facilities

Lock Haven University boasts excellent facilities including five gymnasiums, each offering a variety of equipment and sport areas such as tracks, basketball and racquetball courts, weight rooms, cardio machines, and much more. There are seven tennis courts, a softball field, soccer/field hockey turf fields, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. An exercise research lab allows you to study health and physiology through first-hand experimentation.

Faculty

All faculty members have a strong background in health, physical education and sport administration, both in theory and in practical application. They continue to be involved in their field, speaking at national conferences, writing in scholarly publications and serving
as coaches and advisors. With their diverse special interests, you will be exposed to a
broad range of expertise. They are dedicated to teaching and are always available to
help you succeed.

Dr. Catherine Traister, Chair
Department of Health & Physical Education
(570) 484-2099   ctraiste@lhup.edu

Minors

In addition to the majors listed, you may also complete an 18-credit minor in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Coaching, or Aquatics.

Career Opportunities

Teaching Degree
After graduation and successfully passing the PRAXIS exams, you will be eligible to teach in all Pennsylvania school districts as well as throughout the U.S.

Correctional Settings Track
This track was developed based on extensive input and feedback from alumni who are employed in this area of health and physical education. You will do your professional field experience (internship) in a correctional setting. After graduation, you will be prepared to work in county, state, federal and private correctional settings.

Aquatics Track
This track will prepare you to be an expert in the area of aquatics and you can earn many different aquatics certifications. You may work in health and fitness facilities, sport settings, or in aquatics program administration.

Coaching Track
This track combines the sport administration major with the health and physical education teacher certification track. You will complete your professional field experience (internship) with an athletic team or program. After graduation, you may work in a variety of athletic programs or continue to graduate school to become a college or professional coach.