Preparation of Future Leaders in Worksite Health Promotion
Jeff Lynn and Patricia Pierce
Department of Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA
Summary of Program
Abstract
Organization: The Exercise Science major at Slippery Rock University is an accredited 4-year baccalaureate program.
Summary of the Primary Program: Students earning the BS degree learn and practice wellness coaching skills and demonstrate the ability to use behavior
change principles, particularly the Transtheoretical Model and Motivational Interviewing. An entire course is devoted to understanding the intricacies of
working in or managing worksite health promotion programs. Students also develop proficiency in prescribing goal driven comprehensive exercise programs
for all individuals. The culminating experience in the program is a 480-hour internship wherein students work full time in a wellness-related facility. Each
student is required to implement a wellness program at their internship site.
Explanation of the evaluation plan: As part of a comprehensive evaluation, the internship site supervisors rated the interns (Likert 1-5) on whether s/he is
adequately prepared for a position with their company.
Summary of the program impact: Of the 198 students who completed internships in the past 2 years, 88% received a rating of “strongly agree” and 11%
were rated “agree” that they were well prepared for employment in the wellness industry.
Organization
• Slippery Rock University (SRU) is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher
Education. SRU has 60 undergraduate and 20 graduate programs. The largest program on
campus is Exercise Science.
• The Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Program at SRU is accredited by the
Coalition on Accreditation of Exercise Science (CoAES)
• There are 600 Exercise Science majors at SRU, and 80-90% of graduates continue to a
graduate program in clinical health science. Others are highly successful in worksite
wellness/fitness programs.
• Curriculum content includes the ACSM KSAs (now JTAs) and is carefully managed with
prerequisites and corequisites.
• The program places increasing focus on practical applications and experiences as the
student progresses.
• A grade of “C” or better is required in all upper division Exercise Science classes and a
GPA of 2.75 must be maintained both overall and in the major.
• The Wellness Promotion course includes:
• Development and presentation of an information booth at a health expo
• Research for and creation of pamphlets and flyers for wellness related topics or
event promotions
• A grant writing project designed to fund a worksite wellness program
• Creation of needs analyses, interest surveys, program plans with SMART goals,
and assessment plans
• An understanding of management principles including budgeting and human
resources
• The Senior Synthesis class includes:
• A semester-long personal training experience with a client from the community
• Responsibility for fitness assessment, SMART goal development, individualized
prescription, documentation, and professional communication
• Resume writing and interviewing skills
• In multiple senior level courses, students learn and practice wellness coaching
skills and behavior change strategies. Students learn to use the transtheoretical
model and focus is placed on practicing motivational interviewing
• Throughout the curriculum, increasing emphasis is placed on practical application
of knowledge.
•
Students must pass several practical exams including:
•
Resting and exercise blood pressure
•
Resting and exercise heart rate
•
Maximal and submaximal assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness including
the YMCA cycle test and one stage treadmill tests.
•
Maximal and submaximal assessments of muscular fitness
•
Skinfold assessment of body composition
•
12-Lead ECG measurement and interpretation including maximal treadmill
test (Bruce Protocol)
• The internship is the culminating experience and features 480 hours (12 credits) at a
facility of the student’s choice, pending faculty approval. There must be a supervisor
on site who can guide senior level education within the student’s scope of practice.
Internship
(400)
Clinical Ex Phys (400)
Senior Synthesis (400)
Special Pops & Conditions
(400)
Wellness Promotion (400)
Fitness Assessment (400)
Exercise Prescription (400)
Nutrition & Exercise (400)
Exercise Leadership: Group Fitness (300)
Exercise Leadership: Resistance Training (300)
Exercise Physiology (200)
Biomechanics (200)
Measurement & Stats (200)
Science & Math Foundation
Anat & Phys 2 (200)
Anat & Phys 1 (200)
College Physics (200)
Elementary Stats (100)
Ex Sci Applied Sciences
Applied Anatomy (100)
Intro to Ex Sci (100)
Evaluation Plan
• At the conclusion of the internship, intern supervisors evaluated students in several
categories using a 5-point Likert scale. For the present analysis, the following questions
were analyzed:
• How would you rate the student’s overall performance relative to other interns and/or
entry level professionals?
5=Superior, 4=Above Average, 3=Average, 2=Below Average, 1=Poor
• This intern is adequately prepared for an entry level position.
5=Strongly Agree, 4=Agree, 3=Somewhat Agree, 2=Disagree, 1=Strongly Disagree
• The percentage of intern supervisor and student responses of 4 or 5 was calculated.
• Data were analyzed for a 2-year period (2011-2013; n = 198).
•
Intern supervisors were also encouraged to provide qualitative feedback.
Program Impact
Supervisor’s Rating
Overall Performance
Supervisor’s Rating
Adequately Prepared
Superior
64%
Above Average
35%
Strongly Agree
88%
Agree
11%
Samples of qualitative feedback from intern supervisors:
“She gave a great presentation for our employees and created professional flyers and
bulletin boards”
“Impressed with her ability to communicate with our older clients”
“Had great understanding of theory and concepts of exercise science and immediately
demonstrated the skills and confidence to employ her knowledge”
“Extremely well prepared for a competitive and demanding internship”
“Displayed a wide range of knowledge and competency in exercise testing and
prescription”
“Able to indicate when she should take initiative or reach out for assistance”