Information Formats: There are several document and formatting codes used to store information. This can create compatibility problems when you want to share information with others or access it yourself on different computers. The ability to effectively share information requires an appropriate choice of encoding, an important step in the communication process. The following are recommendations for the most flexible and universal formats, listed in order starting with the best:

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Email

Everyone knows how to email, but more advanced functions such as saving, archiving, setting filters, and attaching files are essential extras that should be in the repertoire of physical activity and health professionals. Help features on many clients explain how to properly do this. Also, users should understand how to copy (cc:) and blind copy (bcc:) emails as well as forward emails to single and multiple recipients. Sending copies to multiple interested parties not only increases effective communication, but also provides a string of documentation. This is yet another reason that emails should properly be archived for a number of years in the event information needs to be recalled for legal or past reference reasons. The "Reply All" feature should be employed for most emails where multiple recipients get the message. Another important consideration is whether to use a software based (e.g. Outlook, Eudora, Outlook Express) or web based email (e.g. hotmail, yahoo, gmail) browser. For flexibility, web based email is preferable, but often these do not lend well to archiving email. Read more »

Visit the following web address to the EOU library: http://pierce.eou.edu/ . There you will find search options for various databases. If you are not using an EOU internet connection, you will be required to log in using your EOU library barcode. Online students may obtain a barcode by requesting it from the libarary.  These databases are very helpful as you look up articles related to the field of physical activity and health. You will want to use search engines such as Ebscohost and Firstsearch. Some articles will have the full-text version so you can download and read it immediately. Others may be available to read at a nearby library. Read more »

Audio lecture by Brian Sather for Foundations of Physical Activity Class, Eastern Oregon University, October 2009.

Covers checklists and graduation requirements for degree options at Eastern Oregon University, along with an overview of the different concentrations and how they relate to career paths. 

Physical Education & Sport Journals

• PECentral list http://www.pecentral.org/professional/pejournals.html

Exercise Science Journals

• ACSM publications http://www.acsm.org/publications/index.htm

Health Studies Journals Read more »

In some physical activity and health related field, certifications are even more important than college degrees. Below are samples of some certifications:

Teaching license/certification: Requires a bachelor’s degree, passing standardized tests, student teaching, and continuing education to maintain license. Each state has specific requirements. Most states require passing specific sections of tests like the PRAXIS and or CBEST. Oregon now requires the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA).

Athletic training: Requires approved bachelor’s degree completion for NATA certification (ATC). Read more »

Graduate degrees are offered in physical activity and health fields at the masters level (MS, MEd) and doctoral level (PhD, EdD, PED)

Application deadlines: Fall entrance deadlines are usually early in February or March. Some school offer “rolling admissions.” This allows flexibility to enter any given term, with each term having a different application deadline.

Criteria: Most schools examine grade point average, GRE scores (quantitative and verbal), work experience, and letters of recommendation. Read more »

The following is a list of standardizes tests used in the profession of physical activity & health. There are also known as "high stakes" tests. Success on these tests is important for advancement and continuation.

GRE: General Exam that many graduate schools in physical activity and health require. High scores show a high correlation with graduate school success.

GMAT: Test geared more toward business school success. May apply to sport management and administration related graduate school.

MCAT: Exam for medical school entrance. Those interested in sport medicine should learn about this exam.

LSAT: Exam for law school entrance. Want to be a lawyer specializing in sport and recreation? Read more »

During your final year of school (or even earlier), actively pursue employment. Internships and volunteer work are very important means to gain experience and make important contacts while still in school. Most school districts post announcements for teaching positions. The following sites are good places to look for employment:

http://member.aahperd.org/careercenter/
http://www.nakpehe.org/OPERA/Index.html

The following collection of website links is based on a breakout session at the 2004 conference of Oregon physical educators and health professionals at Silver Falls. Facilitator: Bradley J. Cardinal, Ph.D., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Oregon State University Read more »

Eastern Oregon University offers a bachelor’s degree in Physical Activity and Health completely through distance education. The concentrations that are available through distance education are Physical Education & Sport and Health & Wellness Studies. While most of the students in the distance education classes reside outside La Grande, many on-campus students elect to take some distance education classes in pursuit of their degree. Consequently, the faculty in the Division of Physical Activity and Health have observed poorer class performance by on-campus students compared to both their performance in face-to-face classes and the performance of veritable distance education students. Read more »

Characteristics of the quintessential student major in physical activity & health Read more »

The human performance laboratory at Eastern Oregon University houses some of the following equipment: Read more »

An in class question and answer session with Elizabeth Zastrow, physical therapist at Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande, Oregon. Questions pertain to a career in physical therapy and the training needed to get there. 

This presentation is about Eastern Oregon University's Masters of Arts in Teaching.

Description: Overview of career opportunities and success skills in physical activity and health. The class focuses on topics such as professional writing, academic literature, pedagogy, technical knowledge, and national certification exams. Fitness tests are also conducted for each student.