Changing with the times - Education - American University offers Masters of Science in Health Fitness Management

American Fitness, March-April, 2002 by Deborah J. Myers

American University (AU), located in Washington D.C., has offered a Masters of Science in Health Fitness Management for 21 years. "A well-rounded foundation is essential and we've modified it over the years," says Dr. Robert Karch, Ed.D., chair and professor in the Department of Health and Fitness. Dr. Karch is also founder and director of the Masters of Science program in Health Fitness Management and the University's National Center for Health Fitness. He believes the degree has been adjusted to meet students' needs and goals. "We keep pace with the changes in the industry ," he adds.

One of those changes has been the addition of computer courses. "If I could have added technology courses [to my AU education], I would have," says Jennifer Flynn, an account manager at the Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources in Holmdel New Jersey. "[But] when I was [at AU], technology wasn't as predominant in the industry as it is now."

These changes were a response to last decade's explosion of specialized health care and fitness. "Students come to AU from 30 [different] undergraduate disciplines. When they graduate from AU, they can go into various settings," says Dr. Karch. "Graduates [can] pursue many types of jobs with this degree. Some go into corporate fitness, the pharmaceutical industry, [medical school], education and health care-related industries, such as nursing or physical therapy. Some consult and others start their own corporations."

Melissa Johnson earned her undergraduate degree and planned to earn an MBA and create the quality education AU provides. "I was thrilled to find AU. I was trained in business and health," says Johnson. "The master's program taught me the cost-effectiveness of corporate health, [although] it wasn't popular [in the mid-1980s] for companies to have wellness programs." By learning how wellness programs save companies money, Johnson had the tools needed to launch into the corporate health promotion field. Johnson is currently the Executive Director of the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Especially benefiting business-minded students, American University also provides business management classes. "Our objective is the hybrid," Dr. Karch says. "The student should understand behavior science, management and business." Program graduate David Stevenson agrees. "I think management training was equally important [as fitness and health] training," he says. "Running health programs is unusual because an understanding of running an organization is also needed." Currently, Stevenson is the Executive Director of the YMCA in Sewickley Valley, Pennsylvania.

Business courses include computer science, communications, public affairs, strategic planning and general management with financial courses. By combining core studies with business classes, Dr. Karch believes AU successfully prepares students for applying their knowledge to real life.

American University requires 44 credits upon graduation, which Dr. Karch admits is a high number of credits for a master's program. However, if students carry a normal to high unit class load and attend each semester, most students are able to complete their M.S. in Health Fitness Management within two years. The school offers four semesters (fall, spring, Summer I and II). "We are [currently] looking into distance learning and discussing online options with a national fitness organization," Dr. Karch says.

Before graduating, students must also complete an internship or thesis. Like any other master's program, AU's internship program provides students a real-life experience before entering their chosen workforce. The thesis is useful for students pursuing a more technical field, such as research or pharmaceutical compared to the highly interactive internship, notes Dr. Karch.

For More Information

American University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The University Senate of the United Methodist Church also recognizes AU. American University and AFAA are working together to develop online educational courses. American University is located at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC, 20016. The University may be reached at (202) 885-1000 or www.healthy.american.edu.

Deborah J. Myers is a full-time freelance writer living in Longmont, Colorado. She enjoys hiking and fitness walking.