Health and Human Development

The Department of Health and Human Development administers a variety of curricula that prepare students for various careers -- community health, consumer science, dietetics, exercise science, early childhood education, family and consumer sciences, family science, health promotion, kinesiology, nutrition science, and pre-physical therapy. Students interested in teaching can pursue programs in family and consumer sciences secondary teaching, and health enhancement (health and physical education) teaching K-12.

Health and Human Development offers graduate master's-level degrees with options in counseling, including marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, and school counseling; family and consumer sciences, including early childhood education and family science; family financial planning; food and nutrition; exercise and nutrition; health promotion and education. (See the graduate catalog for further information on graduate programs.)

In addition to the career options, the department offers a variety of recreational activity courses. Some physical activity courses are offered as a service to the general student population with no prerequisite. Those include skiing, fly fishing, bowling, billiards, etc. User fees for HHD 100 and some courses are charged. The fees vary depending on the activity. Each student enrolling in an activity course will be asked to sign an activity course waiver and release form.

Mission Statement

The Department of Health and Human Development through teaching, research, and service/outreach works to enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities through an integration of the following: 1) healthy human development throughout the lifespan, 2) holistic health and the development of self responsibility, values, attitudes, and behaviors, 3) decision- making skills related to personal and family financial health, and 4) the intellectual, social/psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of healthy behaviors.

Degrees, Options, and Programs

The department offers the following degrees, options, and programs:

Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Development with options in Community Health, Exercise Science (including kinesiology and exercise science), Family and Consumer Sciences (including consumer science, early childhood education, family and consumer sciences education/extension, family science), Food and Nutrition (including dietetics and nutrition science), Health Enhancement Teaching K-12 (health and physical education), and Pre-Physical Therapy

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion

Master of Science in Health and Human Development with options in Counseling (including marriage and family counseling and mental health counseling); Family and Consumer Sciences (including early childhood education and family science); Family Financial Planning; Exercise and Nutrition Sciences; and Health Promotion and Education.

Master of Education in School Counseling

Minor Fields of Study

Nonteaching minors provide a concentration of courses outside the student's option and are intended to complement option course work. The minor is posted on the student's transcript. Nonteaching minors are available in Coaching, and Human Development. A teaching minor is available in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. (See the course requirements on minors in the appropriate section of this catalog.)

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science degrees in Health and Human Development and Health Promotion for nonteaching options shall be conferred upon the successful completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 120 credits. The Bachelor of Science degrees in Health and Human Development in the teaching options of Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension and Health Enhancement K-12 shall be conferred upon the successful completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 128 credits. All undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 42 upper division credits.

The Master of Science in Health and Human Development shall be conferred upon completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 30 credits for the options of Family and Consumer Sciences, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, and Health Promotion and Education. A minimum of 42 credits is required for the Family Financial Planning program. A minimum of 60 credits is required in the graduate Counseling programs. The Master of Education in School Counseling carries a minimum of 48 credits. (See the graduate catalog for further information.)

Certifications and Licensures

Certifications and licensures are dependent on the student's eligibility to sit for certification and licensing examinations and passing those examinations. Several fields of study in the Department of Health and Human Development prepare students to sit for certification and licensing examinations. Many, but not all, certifications and licensures are offered as post-baccalaureate opportunities. See your advisor for additional information. The following certifications are related to Health and Human Development disciplines:

Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences. Students completing the Family and Consumer Sciences option and the Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension restricted electives will be eligible to sit for the Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS) exam set by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. The CFCS Credential communicates to others within and outside of the profession that the individual certified in family and consumer sciences possesses a broad professional knowledge base in the field.

Certified Family Financial Counselor. The Department of Health and Human Development offers a three-course series (HDCF 338 Personal and Family Finance I, HDCF 339 Personal and Family Finance II, and HDCF 342 Family Financial Counseling) that can aid students in becoming credentialed as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). The AFC credential is offered nationally through the Institute for Personal Finance. The credential requires two tests, an internship and a year of work experience in helping consumers and families with financial matters. The three courses prepare students to take the two tests. The department then helps the student find placement for an internship in helping consumers and families with finances. The AFC credential allows students to credibly indicate their expertise in personal and family finance to potential employers. Students need not be majors in Health and Human Development to complete the three courses and become AFC-certified.

Certified Family Life Educator. Students completing the Family and Consumer Sciences option and the human development and family science restricted electives will be eligible to apply for the CFLE granted by the National Council on Family Relations. Certified Family Life Educators serve as consultants, directors, educators, and coordinators in settings such as social services, child care, health and welfare, recreation, youth programs, community action, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, senior citizen programs, parent education, family service agencies, extension, and retirement/convalescent care centers.

Certified Health Education Specialist. Completion of the Community Health option establishes eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination (CHES). The CHES exam measures the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge essential to the practice of community health/health education. The CHES certification is a national standard for health education practice and assists employers in identifying qualified health education practitioners.

Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Strength Coach. The National Strength and Conditioning Association provides opportunities to become a certified personal trainer or a certified strength coach.

Coaching Certification. Faculty in Health and Human Development partner with the Montana High School Association (MHSA) in the development and implementation of a coaching certification program. Although MHSA awards the certification, successful completion of the Coaching Concentration offered in the department will prepare the future coach for the profession.

Health Fitness Instructor and Exercise Test Technologist. The American College of Sports Medicine, the premier organization for health/fitness professionals and clinicians, offers the Health/Fitness Instructor and Exercise Test Technologist certifications at sanctioned test locations throughout the Pacific Northwest. The certification exams include written and practical components that emphasize the application of knowledge and hands-on skills typically acquired in an undergraduate Exercise Science or Kinesiology program.

Licensed Professional Counselor. Counseling programs in the graduate program in Health and Human Development lead to the opportunity to become licensed in Montana as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Following completion of a master's degree, the student must complete a minimum of 1500 hours of supervised counseling practice prior to sitting for and passing the LPC examination.

Registered Dietitian. The Food and Nutrition Dietetics program gives the students an opportunity to apply to a national post-baccalaureate supervised practice/dietetic internship. Upon its completion, the student may sit for the RD examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for The American Dietetic Association. The RD status enables a person to become licensed in Montana as a Licensed Nutritionist by the Board of Medical Examiners.

Academic Advisors

The Health and Human Development academic advising office, staffed with academic advisors to serve the needs of students, is located in Hosaeus 101. Students are expected to meet with an advisor each semester to discuss their plan of study, select courses, and register for courses. In addition, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss issues and questions regarding professional programs, career opportunities, and academic concerns. Academic advisors can assist students to appropriate referrals when necessary.

To receive advising or to inquire about the family and consumer sciences-related programs in the Department of Health and Human Development, contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Advising Center by phone at 406.994.1936 or by e-mail at fcsadvising@montana.edu.

To receive advising or to inquire about the health-related programs in the Department of Health and Human Development, contact the Health Advising Center by phone at 406.994.6230 or by e-mail at healthadvising@montana.edu.

Course Requirements and Curricula for Majors

The curriculum and specific course requirements for each option within the Department of Health and Human Development are listed below.

Curricula in Health and Human Development

• Community Health Option
• Exercise Science Option
• Family and Consumer Sciences Option
• Human Development Minor
• Food and Nutrition Option
• Health Enhancement/Physical Education K-12 Broadfield Option
• Pre-Physical Therapy Option
• Coaching Minor

COMMUNITY HEALTH OPTION

Graduates of this option are employed in entry-level positions conducting planning, administration, evaluation, research, and teaching in community health settings. The undergraduate program in community health is concerned with improving health and well-being for all through the promotion of healthful lifestyles, community actions for health, and conditions that make it possible to live healthful lives. The program draws on public health, education, and the social and behavioral sciences. Students are prepared to work in a variety of settings including family planning agencies, nonprofit agencies, state and federal health agencies, schools, and community health centers. This program stresses community involvement because community health emphasizes an interactive process in which target populations are active participants in their health, rather than passive recipients. Student involvement will take the form of class assignments, practicum, internships, and service. Students will be prepared to assess individual and community needs; plan, implement, and evaluate effective health programs; coordinate provision of services; act as a resource person; and communicate health needs, concerns and resources. Persons enrolling in this option should seriously consider earning a master's degree in community health, health education, or some related area at some point in their career.

Completion of the community health option establishes eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. The CHES exam measures the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge essential to the practice of community health/health education. The CHES certification is a national standard for health education practice and assists employers in identifying qualified health education practitioners.

EXERCISE SCIENCE OPTION

Exercise Science is a broadly defined discipline that focuses on both clinical- and performance-based understandings of human movement. The Exercise Science option emphasizes a cross-disciplinary understanding of human movement through nondepartmental courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics. These courses then serve as the foundation for understanding human movement from physiological (e.g., exercise physiology), mechanical (e.g., biomechanics), and nutritional perspectives within departmental courses. Students in Exercise Science choose between programs in Exercise Science or Kinesiology and will share a common academic experience in general lower division course work (i.e., freshman and sophomore years). Each student, however, is allowed to focus their upper division course work to be congruent with the student's specific professional goals as well as the specific requirements for post-baccalaureate programs. Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in upper division department core courses for graduation.

Each student's course work will culminate in a "capstone experience" course called Exercise Testing and Prescription (HDPE 465) or an approved internship (HDPE 475C/HHD476). The undergraduate option in Exercise Science can prepare students for careers in the health and fitness industry (e.g., those requiring ACSM Health-Fitness Instructors and/or Exercise Test Technologist certifications), corporate wellness programs, exercise rehabilitation programs (cardiac rehabilitation, gait laboratories, sport medicine facilities, older adult programs, etc.), as well as careers in the sport and rehabilitative medicine equipment industries. In addition, students can design programs to be prepared for post-baccalaureate graduate degrees in biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, as well as physical therapy, sports medicine, and physician assistant programs.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES OPTION

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) offers a professional program that prepares students for leadership in the following areas of concentration: consumer science, early childhood education, family and consumer sciences education and extension, and family science. The FCS option is fully accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Accreditation is awarded to programs that follow national guidelines for curriculum content, curriculum structure, teaching methods, faculty preparation, and overall program quality. Students in FCS take a common core of foundation courses in content areas based upon AAFCS standards. In addition, students take restricted electives in their program. A list of the restricted electives in the program can be obtained from the main department, the advising office in 101 Hosaeus, or on the department website at www.montana.edu/hhd.

The following programs are available:

Consumer Science

The Consumer Science program prepares students for employment in business, nonprofit organizations, and government in positions where the organization interfaces with consumers either to inform consumers or to better understand and satisfy consumer needs and wants. While graduates of the program will be employable in many sectors of the economy, a unique feature of the program is to prepare students to understand and be involved in small, family-owned businesses.

The courses are designed to develop student strengths in economics and sociology as applied to consumer and family behavior; quantitative methods of analysis; communication; information management, critical thinking skills, decision making, and problem-solving processes; and understanding families and individuals in the five spheres of family life: family management, food and nutrition, textiles and clothing, housing, and human development and family science. The program allows students to tailor the course work taken to meet their own academic and career interests. Students are encouraged to select academic minors or focus areas of additional course work to mesh with their career interests. Possible minors or focus areas include human development and family science; economics; business management, marketing, or finance; political science; or communication studies.

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program emphasizes the dual focus of the education and care of children from birth through age eight within the context of families, schools, communities, and society. The program focuses on early education, child development, developmentally appropriate practices, early intervention, business and administration, research methods, and working directly with children and families in a variety of early childhood and human service settings. Students study a range of early childhood issues including development across the lifespan; children with special needs, relationships, management, and curriculum in early childhood, administration of human services delivery, assessment and intervention, working with diverse families, and ethics and professionalism. The program provides opportunities for students to work directly with children and families in the Child Development Center (accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) and in human service and community agencies that serve the needs of children and families.

The Early Childhood Education program provides a strong background for students seeking careers in a wide variety of early childhood settings including child care and child care-related businesses, human services and community agencies, state or federal early childhood agencies, and nonprofit settings that support children and families. In addition, the curriculum prepares students for admission to graduate programs in early childhood education, child development, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension

Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension empowers individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society. The unique focus is on families, work, and their interrelationships. Students choosing this option will be well qualified to seek employment in a variety of educational settings including secondary public and private schools, state extension services, and public and private agencies. Students will meet all of the criteria for a Montana teaching certificate and vocational endorsement at the secondary level. Students are encouraged to work on a teaching minor in a second field while attending MSU-Bozeman to further increase their professional opportunities.

Note: The Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension concentration requires 128 credits.

Family Science

The Family Science program emphasizes the family as a dynamic social unit and examines diverse families in contemporary society. The program focuses on family behavior, strengths, and challenges using family-specific theoretical frameworks (family systems, family crisis) and research methods. Social, cultural, historical, political, and economic trends that influence family functioning and well-being are addressed. Students study a wide range of family issues including development across the lifespan, changing family structures, intergenerational relations, family stress and crisis, family policies and laws, family economics, work and family issues, and human service delivery.

The Family Science program provides a strong background for students seeking careers in human services, family life education, family policy, social work, counseling, and family therapy; however, graduate training will be necessary for students wishing to enter the counseling/therapy fields. The curriculum prepares students to work in a wide range of organizations and settings, such as family, community or mental health organizations, state or federal agencies, nonprofit settings, and for admission to graduate programs in family science, human development, marriage and family therapy, social work, law, human resource management, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines.

Interested students may complete additional courses and apply for provisional certification for the Certified Family Life Education (CFLE) program accredited by the National Council on Family Relations. Provisional certification is available to those with a baccalaureate degree and course work in ten family life substance areas, but without the minimum two years’ work experience required for full CFLE certification.

Note: The Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension program requires the successful completion of 128 credits.

Note: Curriculum sheets that identify Family and Consumer Sciences programs courses (Consumer Science, Early Childhood Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education/Extension and Family Science may be obtained from the department office in 218 Herrick Hall, the department advising office in 101 Hosaeus, or the department website at www.montana.edu/hhd.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MINOR (Nonteaching Minor)

FOOD AND NUTRITION OPTION

The Department of Health and Human Development offers a major in the study of food and nutrition. Students can focus on either a food and dietetics program or nutrition science program. The plan of study in the dietetics program can be designed in consultation with the student’s advisor to pursue careers in dietetics, research or graduate studies. The nutrition science program is for those students intending to pursue a health profession or research-related career, for example, medicine, dentistry, industry, academia, etc.

The dietetics program at Montana State University-Bozeman is currently granted approval status as a Didactic Program in Dietectics by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education, 120 Riveside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040, x. 5400. A graduate will attain a verification statement upon completing the CADE-approved dietetics program curriculum in addition to a minimum of a “C” or better in each required program course at graduation. A graduate is then eligible to apply for an CADE - accredited supervised practice/dietetic internship or other post-baccalaureate experience. Upon completion of the post-graduate dietetic internship, students are eligible to take the national registration exam for dietitians. Once the individual has passed the exam, the individual is then a “registered dietitian.” The dietetics program has a strong foundation in food and nutrition, food service management, and science components. Registered dietitians may find employment in health care facilities; industrial, school, and university food services; community nutrition services; private practice; sales for food service or health products; and other related fields.

The nutrition science program is designed to prepare a student for admission to medical (allopathic or osteopathic), dental, or graduate school with an emphasis on nutrition and biochemistry. A student can receive a verification statement if additional didactic program in dietetics course requirements are met. Although the nutrition science program provides a strong background for most professional schools, students must contact individual schools for specific post-baccalaureate entrance requirements. Information about degree requirements can be obtained from the Health and Human Development advising office, 101 Hosaeus PE Complex.

Any student receiving a grade below a "C" (2.0) in any upper division required course will need to repeat the course. Students must attain a "C" or better in any required prerequisite course to register for upper division food and nutrition courses.

See the Food and Nutrition option website at www.montana.edu/nutrition for a suggested list of electives and additional courses specifically needed to attain the CADE-approved verification statement.

HEALTH ENHANCEMENT: PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH EDUCATION K-12 BROADFIELD OPTION

The Health Enhancement Teacher Preparation program is designed for students who want to become teachers of Health Enhancement (Physical Education/Health Education) in public schools. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible for certification in teaching K-12 Health Enhancement, Physical Education, and/or Health Education in Montana and other states.

Health Enhancement is a comprehensive approach to combining the traditional areas of Health Education and Physical Education. It is a contemporary curriculum where healthy lifestyles and concepts are achieved through skillful movement with an emphasis on physical fitness, healthy lifestyle management skills, and understanding of the total self (physical, intellectual, emotional, and social). In addition to the traditional approach to teaching fundamental movement, skills, games, and dance, this curriculum emphasizes the overall health of the individual as a value in life and enhances critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills of future teachers and their students. Courses within this curriculum represent a combination of content knowledge (health enhancement, health education, and physical education) along with a strong background in pedagogical content knowledge (teaching methods and curriculum). Students majoring in Health Enhancement develop a professional development portfolio based on national beginning teacher standards. The final semester consists of student teaching in two public school placements.

Standards of work: A 2.5 GPA is required to enter the professional teaching programs in Education.

Electives (select 8 credits from the following courses):

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

COACHING MINOR

This minor is in response to the growing need for professionally trained individuals who have a desire to coach athletic events. The majority of courses required is not specific to one sport, but provides students with content that coaches of every sport should have. There are sufficient courses and experiences in specific sports to assist the future coach to begin specialization. However, most new coaches in the public schools find themselves assigned coaching duties in which they have limited experience as either a coach or a player.

HDPE 267 is the key course to initiate this minor. It is the prerequisite for many of the other courses and should be taken in the first year. Failure to take HDPE 267 will significantly delay the student’s progress toward this minor. In most cases, there will be no substitutions of classes or credit given for prior coaching experiences.

PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY OPTION

Pre-physical therapy is a specialized field within Exercise Science. Exercise Science is a broadly defined discipline that focuses on both clinical and performance-based understandings of human movement. The Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science options emphasize a cross-disciplinary understanding of human movement through nondepartmental courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics. These courses then serve as the foundation for understanding human movement from physiological (e.g., exercise physiology), mechanical (e.g., biomechanics), and nutritional perspectives within departmental courses.

All students in the Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science options share a common academic experience in general lower division course work (i.e., freshman and sophomore years). Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in upper division department core courses for graduation. Each student's course work will culminate in a "capstone experience" course. While the Pre-Physical Therapy program is intended for students preparing for physical therapy school, the undergraduate option can also prepare students for various careers in the health and fitness industry, corporate wellness programs, exercise rehabilitation programs (cardiac rehabilitation, gait laboratories, sports medicine facilities, older adult programs, etc.), and the sport and rehabilitative medicine equipment industries. In addition, students can design programs to be prepared for post-baccalaureate graduate degrees in biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, sports medicine, and physician assistant programs, as well as physical therapy.