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Exercise Science and Physical Education
Mission
The Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education 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 Exercise Science and Physical Education (ESPE) provides preparation in both graduate and undergraduate education. Thirteen full time faculty, twelve adjuncts, and five graduate assistants staff courses which lead to Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. In addition the department offers an array of physical activity courses designed to meet the Physical Education requirement in the Universities General Education Program.
Our theory, technology, research, adult fitness, exercise science athletic training, coaching, sports management, and physical education courses are designed to meet the needs of the educational and corporate entities in New Jersey. Undergraduate students are educated in our nationally recognized Physical Education and Health certification program for grades K-12, in our degree granting NATA certified Athletic Training program and innovative program in Adult fitness which features internships with the major sports industries in the metropolitan NY area.
The graduate program in Physical Education provides students the opportunity to pursue advanced study in the general field of physical education, and to develop competency in an area of concentration. Concentrations are offered in Teaching and Supervision of Physical Education, Coaching and Sports Administration, and Exercise Sciences. The program is designed to develop and enhance competencies necessary for teaching in school programs, coaching of athletics, conducting individualized exercise programs, administration of physical education and/or athletics, and administration of specialized exercise programs in a non-school setting.
ESPE offers many opportunities for both students majoring in these diverse areas of study as well s 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.
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Adult Fitness
Adult Fitness concentration prepares majors for a corporate, clinical (cardiac rehabilitation), commercial, and community setting. The Aassociation for Worksite Health Promotion recognized the Adult Fitness Program with an outstanding Professional Preparation Award. 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.
Athletic Training
The Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) at Montclair State University prepares students for careers as certified athletic trainers and culminates in a B.S. in athletic training. Athletic trainers are allied health professionals who provide health care for physically active individuals. The Athletic Training Education program (ATEP) and Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training prepare students for the national Athletic Trainer’s Association Board of Certification examination. Graduates who pass the certification examination can be employed as Athletic Trainers at high schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics and professional athletic settings. The ATEP is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
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Physical Education and Health Teaching Certification
The dual physical education and health teaching certification program prepares majors for careers in teaching in the public school from grades K-12. Students pursuing teacher certification must be admitted to the Teacher
Education Program and follow the professional sequence outlined in this
catalog.
The department has specific requirements for admission to the Teacher
Education Program. These include maintaining a minimum grade point
average (GPA) of 2.75 in health and physical education major courses (PEMJ, HPEM,
and HLTH) and a 2.75 GPA overall. In addition, transfer students need to
complete a minimum of 6 semester hours in physical education courses at
Montclair State University to be eligible to apply to the Teacher Education
program.
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History
The Exercise Science and Physical Education 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.
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.
In 1964 the Department started to offer the Master of Arts degree with a major in Physical Education. In 1982, the Adult Fitness concentration was approved by the Montclair State College Board of Trustees. 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.
In January of 2003 the first Bachelor of Sciences in Athletic Training was approved at MSU. The Athletic Training Education Program, housed in the Department of HPPERLS was granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in October 2003.
In July 2005 the Department was re-organized and became the Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education. The Health Professions program merged with Nutrition Sciences and Recreation Professions and Leisure Studies moved to the School of Business.
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