Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences Department

Berkshire Hall 207
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810

School of Professional Studies
Western Connecticut State University

The Mission of the Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences Department is to educate all WestConn students about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, which encourages life-long, optimal health and well-being. The students in our degree programs are additionally prepared for entry-level, certified health education specialist (CHES) positions in schools, and in a wide variety of private and public settings (i.e. corporations, hospitals, community organizations and other multi-public service organizations). In addition to completing a solid foundation in liberal arts and sciences core of courses, students must successfully complete health content and teaching methodology course work, including the use of technology, in order to achieve professional competency as identified by standards set by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Association, (NCHEC). The focus of HPX degree programs is educating the students on the importance of a physically active lifestyle, wellness, fitness, healthy leisure time activities, health promotion, health protection and preventive services in the schools and the larger global society.

It is the goal of the Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences Department to be known as the undergraduate program of choice in the western region of Connecticut to prepare for careers in school health education, health promotion studies and fitness/leisure activities. The department also strives to be recognized for its scholarship and to provide continuing professional education programs, which utilize a holistic, integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Our educational degrees and certification programs link the education of the mind with opportunities to apply newly learned skills in experiential, cooperative and internship experiences. HPX is a multidisciplinary academic department that provides coursework in health promotion and wellness, psychology, safety and health protection, total fitness, knowledge of and opportunities for healthy leisure activities, nutrition, biology, health education, social welfare and politics, and other related areas. As such, this holistic curricula approach to healthy living does not focus on illness or specific body systems or on a particular facet of community life. Rather, the curriculum emphasizes the connection and interdependency of the components of individual and community health, including our environmental, political and economic aspects of health, as well as the physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual elements of well-being.

There are two distinct options within the Health Science are: one leading to certification as a school health educator and one leading to preparation as a community health educator.

Department Interim Chair:
Ms. Jody Rajcula
Berkshire Hall 207A
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8688
203-837-8612 (secretary)
FAX: 203-837-8638