Department of
Health Professions, Physical Education,
Recreation and Leisure Studies

History

The Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department
was first known as the Newark Normal School of Physical Education and Hygiene. Due to the poor physical condition of the World War I recruits, the country began to look at the need for good physical education and health instruction in grades 1 through 12. There were, however, a few teachers who were qualified to possibly teach these subjects, but there wasn't a teacher training institution in the state to prepare these perspective teachers. To meet this need, in 1917 the Newark Normal School of Physical Education and Hygiene was founded by Matthias Machery and Randall D. Warden, Directors of Physical Education for the city of Newark. At the close of the school year in 1920, the founders relinquished their interest in the school in favor of Henry Panzer, the Director of the Normal School at that time. The School moved to East Orange in 1925 where the program changed from being a two year course to a three year course. In 1928, a four year course of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Physical Education was offered. At this time the name of the institution changed to Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene. Following Mr. Panzer's sudden death in 1932, Margaret C. Brown, who had served as teacher, registrar and dean of the College since 1921, was elected by the College Board of Trustees as President and Treasurer. Under her leadership the College made great professional advancements, and its reputation for excellence became nationally and internationally known. Through her efforts, the State authorized the granting of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education in 1939. The Bachelor of Physical Education degree was abandoned.

Go To Panzer College Photo Gallery

Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene merged with Montclair State College in 1958, bringing to the union its excellent professional and academic standards, planned professional laboratory experiences, a curriculum of quality, traditions of 41 years, and a supportive and influential alumni. Panzer College was the last of the private, single purpose schools and colleges preparing teachers of physical education and health in the United States. Because Montclair State College was then considering the development of a physical education major, the timing for a merger was perfect.

This historic event was engineered by Dr. E. deAlton Partridge, President of Montclair State College, Dr. Margaret C. Brown, President of Panzer College, and the Panzer College of Trustees, with the approval of the State Board of Education, (There was no board of Higher Education at that time.)

Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene contributed to the profession in many ways. Primarily it supplied teachers for the public schools. In addition, however, it provided leadership for community groups - gave service to individuals with special physical needs - and presented workshops, conferences, and programs at conventions. The faculty in Panzer served the State, district, and national professional organizations in physical education and health by holding high positions as officers, committee chairs, and as leaders in a variety of groups and activities.

The merger with Montclair State University, as noted before, took place in 1958. The Panzer Board of Trustees and the Alumni hoped that the history and traditions of Panzer would help make the new department at MSC one of which the entire campus, as well as professionals in the state and nation, could proud.

The Adult Fitness concentration was approved by the Montclair State College Board of Trustees in May 1981. This concentration provides opportunities for Physical Education majors to develop the competencies necessary to assume leadership roles in fitness centers. The program speaks to the expressed need in today's society of providing trained physical educators for a variety of employee opportunities in non-school settings such as corporate, industrial and commercial fitness centers. Many companies have comprehensive physical fitness centers which demand a trained professional physical education staff to provide expertise in exercise science and personal fitness development. In addition, physical educators are needed in fitness programs that specialize in preventive and/or rehabilitative exercise for cardiac patients.

The fitness boom has staggered the United States and has provided a natural source of employment potential for the trained physical educator. The logistical placement of Montclair State College in the center of a megalopolis with densely populated commercial facilities gives this program a unique advantage.

A Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Professions was approved by the Montclair State College Board of Trustees in 1972. It was approved by the Board of Higher Education on March 16, 1973. This new major initially was housed in the Physical Education Department. In 1974 it formed its own department within the School of Pure and Applied Science. The need for trained recreation professionals and the number of students in the program grew. Curricula changes were made within the program to meet the needs of the profession. To better reflect the changes in the program a change in nomenclature from Recreation Professions to the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies was approved by the MSC Board of Trustees on June 23, 1981. In June 1982, in light of the strong relationship to physical education the department was again joined with the Department of Physical Education to become the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies. The program continues to grow and meet society's needs for trained recreation specialists.

As of Fall 1988, the Recreation Program was accredited by the following organizations; The National Recreation and Parks Association, The American Association for Leisure and Recreation, and the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA). Accreditation was granted for programs in Commercial Recreation and Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation. Currently, Montclair State is the only college in New Jersey with accredited Recreation programs.

In the Fall 1994 semester the Health Professions Department was merged with the Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department to establish the Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department within the College of Education and Human Studies at Montclair State University The present department consists of 22 full time faculty, thirty two adjuncts and two college funded graduate assistants, and three department funded graduate assistants. The faculty serve a student body of both major and general education students;. 380 students in Physical education, 122 students in Recreation, 111 students in Health, and 3,200 students in various aspects of the general education requirement. Our graduate faculty interact with 149 students enrolled in our Health and Physical Education graduate programs

The Department provided the leadership for the development and opening of a state of the art Physical Fitness Center in the Panzer building ,Montclair State University. The purpose of the facility is to provide an on campus site for research and programing for graduate and undergraduate students, in addition to providing the campus community with an outstanding facility to develop and maintain fitness levels..

Listing of Department chairs and faculty  -- microsoft word document

Mission of the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department
The Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies is to provide significant, carefully developed programs and appropriate academic offerings at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offered in concert with the fundamental mission of Montclair State University. The basic goal of our baccalaureate degree programs is the development of well-educated professionals, capable of contributing within the context of their chosen specialty, to the quality of Education and Human Services in our society. The fundamental thrust of our graduate program is to enhance the academic and professional capabilities of educators serving the wellness needs of our communities and schools, as well as those in the business and industrial sectors. All programs reflect the overall mission of wellness Education in New Jersey and are in concert with the academic and professional capabilities of the department's faculty

Overview

The Department of Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies (HPPERLS) provides preparation in the education theory, technology, research, policy and practice of health, health education, allied health, fitness, physical education, sport, recreation, tourism, and hospitality leadership, management and marketing. Students are educated for careers in the health care industry, in public and corporate education, and in the sports, recreation, hospitality, and tourism industries. Students are also well prepared for graduate-level education. All programs provide a combination of broad studies in the liberal arts with in-depth education in a professional field. All programs emphasize clinical and field experience. The curricula provides students with structure in a discipline as well as flexibility to elect courses in areas other than the academic major.

The department is organized into three (3) academic units: Health Professions, Physical Education and Recreation and Leisure Studies.

HPPERLS offers many opportunities for both students majoring in these diverse areas of study as well as students generally interested in our unique professions. Although the career goals of majors are varied, there are certain common threads. Students tend to be people-oriented, concerned with lifelong activity, and interested in general fitness, wellness and business concepts. These characteristics apply to students preparing for traditional careers as teachers, clinicians, administrators and managers.

Successful completion of each degree program results in the granting of the Bachelor of Science degree.

Health Professions

Health Professions majors are prepared through classroom instruction and field experience for careers in educational and administrative positions in hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, and many other types of organizations involved in health care. Health Education majors prepare to teach and/or conduct research in traditional school settings. Community Health Education majors also prepare to develop and implement health-related programs in public or voluntary health agencies.

Physical Education

Physical Education majors are prepared for careers in teaching, coaching administration and entrepreneurial positions in the fitness field. Certification in athletic training and concentration in fitness and cardiac rehabilitation, coaching, adapted physical education have been developed to provide students with strong backgrounds in these specialized areas. The Association for Worksite Health Promotion recognized the Adult Fitness Program with an outstanding Professional Preparation Award.

Recreation Professions

Recreation Professions majors prepare for careers in commercial recreation, tourism, hospitality and therapeutic recreation. These areas of study are designed to prepare the students for either immediate entry into the profession or graduate study. Emphasis is place on developing leadership skills for supervisory positions and for management and marketing oriented careers. This is the only NRPA certified program in New Jersey.

Distinctive Program Features

Computer Lab
The Department has four mini computer labs: two are located in Panzer building, one in the Health area of College Hall and one in the Recreation area in Chapin Hall. The labs have four -seven PC's compatibles in each location, laser printers, access to the internet and run microsoft professional software. The Chapin Hall Mac Lab is also available for student and class instruction and projects. This lab has a plethora of software applications.

American Humanics
An innovative course of study that develops and certifies university students to become skilled professionals and leaders in America's youth and family service agencies. Forty two students are presently enrolled.

Human Performance Lab
The Speidel Human Performance Lab currently houses state-of-the-art equipment which is being used for ongoing research in exercise physiology, motor learning and biomechanical analysis of movement. Recent alumni and university contributions have provided over $60,000 for the purchase of subject specific equipment. It is estimated that replacement cost of hardware in this facility would be over $400.000.

Internship Experiences
Are an integral part of all the programs in our Department. Their function is two-fold. First, they provide students with valuable on-the-job experience in settings that allow them to integrate knowledge gained through course work with the practical problems and issues of their chosen specialties. In addition, these internship experiences provide opportunities for students to make contacts that could lead to future employment opportunities. The adult fitness and commercial recreation and allied health concentrations work directly with the Co-op education and Career Service Departments.(Refer to Advisement section)

On Campus Practicum Experiences
Programming for the handicapped, lab technicians, and one to one trainers are examples of our campus experiences. The Saturday Afternoon Special Activities and Monday Aquatic Programs are designed to provide hands on programming opportunities for students in Therapeutic Recreation & Adapted Physical Education. The Wellness Program is designed to give students the opportunity to develop competency in the use of contemporary physical fitness evaluation techniques, cinematographic movement analysis and practice in designing individual fitness plans.

Programs: Saturday Afternoon Special Activities Program
Monday Aquatic Program
Wellness Program
Health Fair

Alcoholism Counselor and Substance Abuse Awareness Coordinatortion
The department coordinates its efforts with the Department of Counseling, Human Development and Educational Leadership in providing coursework to meet state certification in these respective areas: certified alcoholism counselor (CAC), and substance abuse awareness coordinator (SAC), a recently approved program developed in recognition of this designated position for service in school and community agencies.

To the Department of HPPERLS page.