College of Health Sciences

Assistant Professor Marjorie Britt, Director; Assistant Professor Donna Peterson, Assistant Director of Clinical Education; Assistant Professor Dr. Douglas Walker 

The physical therapist assistant (PTA) program is designed to prepare students for assistant roles within the profession of physical therapy. We require that our PTA students exhibit excellent interpersonal communication skills and that they develop high levels of technical competence across those areas of physical therapy practice that are typically delegated to PTAs. Our curriculum reflects this by incorporating realistic laboratory activities into most classes, by requiring that students demonstrate their skills through an extensive set of “check-off” activities, and by challenging students to grow and develop in their professionalism. 

The Associate of Science in PTA requires that students complete at least 63 credit hours with 24 credits of supportive courses; and 39 PTA credit hours. Students may complete the PTA program on a part- or full-time basis. 

Students following an integrated curriculum pattern attend the University of Indianapolis full-time, completing supportive courses and PTA courses each semester during the academic year and the clinical education courses during the summer. Full-time students in the integrated curriculum can complete the PTA program in two years, including both summers. Supportive courses are offered during the day and evening; PTA courses are offered in the evening. 

Students following a sequential curriculum complete a portion or all of the support courses before enrollment in the PTA classes. Students may take the general education courses at the University of Indianapolis or from another regionally-accredited college or university. To ensure proper credit transfer for courses taken at another institution, students should discuss courses with the key advisor for the PTA program before enrolling in courses at another institution. Students in the sequential curriculum may take the support courses on a full-time or part-time basis. Students completing only a portion of the support courses before enrollment in the PTA classes should note that some support courses are prerequisites or corequisites for some of the PTA courses; see Technical Courses section in the PTA Major curriculum guide.

Admissions

To enroll in PTA classes, students must be admitted to both the University of Indianapolis and the PTA program. Admission is granted up to 28 students to begin each fall. Eligibility to apply for the PTA program requires:

• Completion of the application on the PTA program website through PTACAS. 

• Physical therapy experience: 30 hours of observation/volunteer/work experience in at least two physical therapy settings, supervised by a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant documented on observation/work/volunteer forms. 

• All applicants must submit two recommendations. At least one recommendation must be from a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant with whom the applicant has observed in patient care. One from a work supervisor, professor/teacher, or health professional, this should be someone that can attest to your ability to commit to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program and your adaptability. Recommendations are not accepted from family or friends. 

• All applicants are required to write a personal statement describing the applicant’s view of the role of physical therapy and the physical therapist assistant within the healthcare system. 

Academic Performance

•  For entering freshmen: high school cumulative grade point average at or above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

•  For students with 12 or more college credits: college-level cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6. 

•  All students must demonstrate English proficiency through the 100-level.

•  All students must demonstrate math proficiency through the 105-level. 

• Applicants in which English is their 2 nd language must score a 61 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test. 

• Students who have completed all or part of the anatomy, physiology, and physics coursework with a grade of B or higher are given additional consideration based on credits completed and course grades. 

Eligible applicants are invited for an interview with CHS faculty members and/or a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant from the local community and a current PTA student.

PTA Major curriculum guide

The Aging Studies program at the University of Indianapolis prepares students with the education and experience to work with, for, and on behalf of older adults and caregivers in the community.

The College of Health Science offers a 12-credit hour undergraduate certificate in Aging Studies. This program is designed for undergraduate students who wish to add aging studies to their body of knowledge for personal or professional reasons. A background in aging studies will give job seekers an advantage in many settings. Some professionals work directly with older adults, others may work on behalf of older adults, and still others provide goods and services to older adults. Courses are offered in a completely online format in either an accelerated 8-week or regular semester duration. Students enrolled in the UIndy Adult Learning Program also have the option to take the courses online and may earn the 18-credit minor in Aging Studies.

• Aging Studies certificate curriculum guide
• Aging Studies minor guide

Professor Lisa Hicks, Chair; Assistant Professor Trent Cayot, Assistant Professor Kara Cecil, Associate Professor Michael Diacin, Assistant Professor Nathan Eckert, Assistant Professor Gary Long, Associate Professor Mindy Mayol, Assistant Professor Isabell Mills, Instructor Chad Odaffer, Professor Heidi Hancher-Rauch, Instructor Brian Reagan, Associate Professor Richard Robinson, Assistant Professor Angelitta Spells, and Professor Jennifer VanSickle.

The Kinesiology, Health & Sport Sciences Department promotes habits of proper exercise as a basis of sound physical and mental health. For professional career preparation, the following undergraduate majors are available in the department program offerings: (1) Exercise Science with option to add Health and Physical Education (K-12) & Secondary Education emphasizing exercise prescription and preparation for graduate studies, (2) Sport Management, designed to prepare students for management opportunities in sport/fitness clubs, interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, recreation, sport retailing, sport agencies, sport facilities, sport event management, and other sport or recreation-associated careers, and (3) Public Health Education and Promotion focusing on public health, health promotion, education and service. The department also offers three graduate programs: (1) Master of Science in Sport Management with an emphasis on intercollegiate athletics, (2), Master of Public Health with a concentration in health disparities, (3) Master of Exercise Science with a choice focus of clinical or sport performance. The department also offers an internship program in Dietetics with a focus on sport nutrition. Other departmental offerings include various electives such as American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Water Safety Instructor certifications as well ad physical activity and teaching and coaching electives. The department also offers a Healthy Diploma Concentration, open to all majors, and a Health & Wellness Management minor.

In today's society, "wellness" is an all-encompassing term. Spiritual, physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and occupational wellness are all vital aspects of one's total well-being. Therefore, all degree-seeking students are required to successfully complete KINS-101 Wellness and Fitness for a Lifetime or KINS 104 Honors Wellness and Fitness for a Lifetime.

No curricular course in which the student earns lower than a C (2.0) is counted toward the major.

Health and Physical Education Major with Pre-Education Concentration/MAT 

The purpose of this major is to prepare teachers and coaches who promote the development of healthy and physically educated individuals. The department works in conjunction with the standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Indiana Department of Teacher Education (IDOE), Office of Educator Licensing and Development, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Students develop skills in health and physical education teacher preparation, motor learning, instructional strategies, communication, diverse learners, assessment, reflection and collaboration. Students are exposed to the classroom setting in the first semester of education coursework. Additionally, students are equipped to teach others in the use and effectiveness of utilizing current technology in the field. Familiarity with current technologies makes the graduate much more employable. Students are also offered the potential to become certified in water safety instruction, CPR, and first aid—all desirable teaching certifications.

Health and Physical Education major curriculum guide

Public Health Education & Promotion Major

The mission of the University of Indianapolis Public Health Program is to prepare graduates with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to promote health and prevent disease within local and global communities, as well as reduce health inequities through conscientious application of evidence-based public health strategies including programming and policy development.

Our vision is to eliminate health inequities through disease prevention, health promotion, and advocacy for the protection of all, with a focus on the underserved. 

This mission is achieved by offering a high-quality education program centered on the key responsibilities and competencies for entry-level health educators defined by the profession, and through utilizing University affiliations with various community partners to offer students quality hands-on experiences, while providing needed health and wellness services within the community.

The curriculum is based on the core public health competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health, as well as the seven areas of responsibility and competencies of health educators, as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Because of the strong scientific and theoretical foundation provided within this program, it makes it an ideal fit for students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in areas such as health, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, law, etc. Strong job opportunities also exist for graduates with the undergraduate degree alone.

Students graduating from the PHEP program will be qualified to sit for certification as a Health Education Specialist (CHES), a desired credential in the public health education field. This exam measures proficiency in the seven responsibility areas of an entry-level health educator. Certified Health Education Specialists are professionals who design, conduct, and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people. These activities can take place in a variety of settings: schools, communities, health care facilities, businesses, and colleges. Health educators are employed under a range of job titles such as patient educators, health program coordinators, trainers, community organizers, and health program managers. The Certified Health Education Specialists are those who have met the standards of quality established by NCHEC by successfully passing the CHES examination. The CHES designation after a health educator's name is one indication of professional competency.

The Public Health Education & Promotion major offers a core set of courses for all program majors, offered in both traditional four-year and accelerated options. Speciality curriculum guides also are available for those wishing to apply for the MPH, DPT, OTD, or ATG programs at UIndy.

Public Health & Promotion major curriculum guide

Public Health & Promotion Major for Accelerated Adult Programs

The mission of the University of Indianapolis Public Health Program is to prepare graduates with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to promote health and prevent disease within local and global communities, as well as reduce health inequities through conscientious application of evidence-based public health strategies including programming and policy development.

Our vision is to eliminate health inequities through disease prevention, health promotion, and advocacy for the protection of all, with a focus on the underserved. 

In the Adult Program, this mission is achieved by offering a high-quality, flexible education program centered on the key responsibilities and competencies for entry-level health educators defined by the profession, and through utilizing University affiliations with various community partners to offer students quality hands-on experiences, while providing needed health and wellness services within the community.  

The curriculum is based on the core public health competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health, as well as the seven areas of responsibility and competencies of health educators, as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Because of the strong scientific and theoretical foundation provided within this program, it makes it an ideal fit for students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in areas such as health, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, law, etc. Strong job opportunities also exist for graduates with the undergraduate degree alone. Additionally, the accelerated and hybrid format caters to working professionals wishing to advance their skill set in the area of public health.

Students graduating from the APHE major will be qualified to sit for certification as a Health Education Specialist (CHES), a desired credential in the public health education field. This exam measures proficiency in the seven responsibility areas of an entry-level health educator. Certified Health Education Specialists are professionals who design, conduct, and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people. These activities can take place in a variety of settings: schools, communities, health care facilities, businesses, and colleges. Health educators are employed under a range of job titles such as patient educators, health program coordinators, trainers, community organizers, and health program managers. The Certified Health Education Specialists are those who have met the standards of quality established by NCHEC by successfully passing the CHES examination. The CHES designation after a health educator's name is one indication of professional competency.

The Adult Format Public Health Education & Promotion major offers a core set of courses for all program majors, offered in an accelerated format.

Public Health & Promotion for Accelerated Adult Programs curriculum guide

Exercise Science Major 

The mission of the Exercise Science program is to prepare students for employment in corporate and commercial fitness centers; clinical settings, such as cardiac and cancer rehabilitation; sport performance centers; or within other health and fitness programs which require exercise testing and prescription.

Students wishing to pursue a career in the exercise science field are strongly encouraged to pursue further education, such as a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, exercise science or sports science. Exercise science also makes an excellent foundation for graduate work in fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician's assistant, medicine, osteopathy, biology with a human emphasis, gerontology, exercise physiology, biomechanics and nutrition. Students also have the option to pursue an associate's degree in physical therapy assistant concurrently with their exercise science major if acceptance is gained in the PTA program.

The exercise science program is strongly grounded in basic science and prepares students for graduate school and other advanced education and certification. A large assortment of internship opportunities is available for exercise science majors and is an integral and essential part of the undergraduate curriculum. An internship shall be taken during the senior year and requires a minimum completion of 300 hours. Students graduating with Bachelor of Science in exercise science are eligible to sit for two highly-regarded industry certifications: (1) Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) from the American College of Sports Medicine; and (2) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Exercise Science Major curriculum guide

Health and Wellness Management 

Health and Wellness Management Minor curriculum guide

Sport Management Major

The mission of the Sport Management major is to comprehensively train students for successful careers in the sport industry through the study of cultural, ethical, legal, and business principles that affect the sport industry and through direct engagement with industry professionals and organizations. Students are required to complete courses in both the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Sciences and the School of Business. Before graduation, students are required to complete two internships with sport organizations in the area of their desired career interest. The program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Sport Management Major curriculum guide

Healthy Diploma™ Concentration

The Healthy Diploma at the University of Indianapolis is designed to give graduates a healthy start on adult life and an advantage in the job market. Similar in concept to an honors diploma, this concentration combines 15 credit hours of health and wellness courses with yearly assessments and individual coaching to orient undergraduates toward a lifetime of positive behavior. Aside from the direct personal benefit to the student, the concentration will show prospective employers that the recipient is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, which has been shown to benefit the workplace through lower healthcare costs, lower rates of injury and absenteeism, higher productivity, and improved morale and retention. The program also is expected to improve physical health, academic performance, social responsibility, and general satisfaction for students while still in the midst of the college experience.

Healthy Diploma Concentration curriculum guide