2008 Woodie Awards
Newly approved graduate program set to begin in fall of '08
By Emily Riley
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
SRU has decided to offer a new graduate study program called adapted physical activity, making the university the only school in Pennsylvania to offer the program.
Planning for the program has been in progress since September 2007 and was just approved by SRU's Board of Trustees and by the Pennsylvania State Board of Governors last week.
The SRU minor of adapted physical activity was named Outstanding Program of the Year for 2008 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Robert Arnhold, a professor of exercise and rehabilitative sciences and the adapted physical activity program's coordinator, has been on sabbatical all year to help with the planning.
He said that adding the graduate study was the next logical step for the university.
"The community needs people who are well-trained professionals to provide physical activity for people with disabilities," Arnhold said.
The new graduate program is new to Pennsylvania, but is also unique because of its approach in comparison with other programs around the country, Arnhold said.
"Most programs in the United States focus on the education," Arnhold said. "Our program is unique in that it looks at the complete lifespan of a person, from preschoolers to senior citizens."
Susan Hannam, dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science, said the SRU program is also different due to the facilities it has.
"We're one of the few programs in the country offering programs in the gymnasium, swimming pool, equestrian center and the fitness facilities within one program," Hannam said.
The program, requiring 30 credit hours and a six-credit internship, is set to begin at the start of the fall semester.
Arnhold said the first class will have roughly 16 students, though the department hopes the number of students will increase to about 25 over the next few years.
The program will have many different courses to promote healthy lifestyles, increase physical activity and decrease the chances of secondary illnesses due to inactivity for those with disabilities.
Planning for the program has been in progress since September 2007 and was just approved by SRU's Board of Trustees and by the Pennsylvania State Board of Governors last week.
The SRU minor of adapted physical activity was named Outstanding Program of the Year for 2008 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Robert Arnhold, a professor of exercise and rehabilitative sciences and the adapted physical activity program's coordinator, has been on sabbatical all year to help with the planning.
He said that adding the graduate study was the next logical step for the university.
"The community needs people who are well-trained professionals to provide physical activity for people with disabilities," Arnhold said.
The new graduate program is new to Pennsylvania, but is also unique because of its approach in comparison with other programs around the country, Arnhold said.
"Most programs in the United States focus on the education," Arnhold said. "Our program is unique in that it looks at the complete lifespan of a person, from preschoolers to senior citizens."
Susan Hannam, dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science, said the SRU program is also different due to the facilities it has.
"We're one of the few programs in the country offering programs in the gymnasium, swimming pool, equestrian center and the fitness facilities within one program," Hannam said.
The program, requiring 30 credit hours and a six-credit internship, is set to begin at the start of the fall semester.
Arnhold said the first class will have roughly 16 students, though the department hopes the number of students will increase to about 25 over the next few years.
The program will have many different courses to promote healthy lifestyles, increase physical activity and decrease the chances of secondary illnesses due to inactivity for those with disabilities.
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