Health is a minor within the Department of Exercise Science. It meets the guidelines set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) for certification to teach health.

The Department of Exercise Science prepares, educates and empowers students in their individual journeys in the topic of sport and the broader issue of physical activity throughout life. Students are trained to become critical practitioners who are skilled at evaluating, deconstructing and addressing the problems and issues central to these areas. By blending scholarly study and professional practice, department faculty create learning opportunities and experiences that nurture students’ exploration of the physical, psychological, social-humanistic and professional aspects of physical activity, as well as their associated impact on health, society and quality of life.

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Faculty

Katie Astrauskas

Astrauskas, Catherine "Katie"

Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Athletic Administrator, Head Coach of Volleyball

Brian Azinger

Azinger, Brian

Head Athletic Trainer

Alexander Bianco

Bianco, Alexander

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Coles, Rick

Professor of Exercise Science, Associate Head Coach of Football

Brittany Followay

Followay, Brittany

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.

Advising at Ripon

Requirements

Twenty total credits, including sixteen credits in the department, including: EXS 286, 232, 342, 344, plus choose four elective credits with approval from the minor advisor. Potential courses include ANT 232, EXS 211, 352, 353, MTH 120, PSC 110, SOC 110, 302, 304.

Career Tracks

Beyond teaching health in schools, students of any major can use this minor after graduation to work with individuals with at any level in education, sports medicine, training and coaching. It often provides a background for further work in other disciplines, including government, business, law, medicine, marketing and other fields. This minor is primarily for students majoring in physical education so that they have the certification to also teach health.

Unique Opportunities

  • Through the Department of Educational Studies, certification in physical education and adapted physical education are available in early childhood/adolescence (birth-grade 12)..
  • Exercise science students have completed student teaching in all school districts within 50 miles of campus. Those from further away can and have done their student teaching at their home district.

Graduate Success

While earning his degree in sports management, Jake Marshall ’10 was Ripon’s record-setting quarterback. “The faculty in the exercise science department prepared me for basically any career I wanted," Jake says. "My major requires two internships. My experience interning for a minor league baseball team and the inspiration of Coach (Rick) Coles and Coach (Ron) Ernst made me realize I wanted to become a coach. I am now a graduate assistant and wide receivers coach at Coe College. I am thankful every day for the experiences Ripon offered me. Go Red Hawks!