Southern Adventist University is dedicated to nurturing Christ-likeness and encouraging the pursuit of truth, wholeness, and a life of service. The “Living in Balance: Physical Activity” QEP is centered on student learning outcomes that enhance wholeness through physical activity. As the action plan in Chart 4 shows, the outcomes will be achieved through substantial changes in general education course requirements and through co-curricular opportunities that promote physical activity. Additionally, we are implementing strategies for the assessment, evaluation, and improvement of physical activity, and are allocating funding to support implementation.
The focus of the actions to be implemented is to achieve the student learning outcomes. To this end, we have identified three curricular outputs for baccalaureate-degree students:
1. Increase the two-hour general education physical activity requirement to four hours
2. Require one physical activity course per year. (Outlines for each course in the four-year sequence are listed in Table 6.)
- First year: PEAC 125–Fitness for College
- Second year: Physical activity course of the student’s choice
- Third year: Physical activity course of the student’s choice
- Fourth year: PEAC 425–Fit for Hire
3. Incorporate three specific assessments into all activity courses. Students will:
- Complete the Rockport One-Mile Walking Test (SLO 1)
- Complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (SLO 2)
The following general education physical development requirements will serve as a foundation for accomplishing the curricular outputs:
- Increase the physical development area requirement from 4-5 to 6-7 hours (to accommodate the two-hour increase in required physical activity courses).
- Require baccalaureate-degree students to take four activity courses (including PEAC 125–Fitness for College and PEAC 425–Fit for Hire) and a two-hour health science course (HLED 173–Health for Life or HLNT 130–Nutrition for Life), for a total of 6 hours.
- Baccalaureate nursing majors will take three activity courses (including PEAC 125–Fitness for College and PEAC 425–Fit for Hire) and NRNT 125–Nutrition, for a total of 6 hours.
- Health science and corporate and community wellness majors will take four activity courses (including PEAC 125–Fitness for College and PEAC 425–Fit for Hire) and HLNT 135–Nutrition for Life Enhanced, for a total of 7 hours.
See Table 7 for an overview of the changes in physical activity requirements for baccalaureate-degree students in the general education area of physical development.
Associate Degree and Transfer Student Expectations
Students seeking an associate degree will be required to take PEAC 125–Fitness for College in the first year and one other activity course or NRNT 125–Nutrition which has a physical activity component embedded within the course.
Transfer students must take PEAC 125–Fitness for College and PEAC 425–Fit for Hire. Activity courses may transfer to fulfill the second- and third-year requirements. Nutrition courses do not transfer to meet the activity requirement.
- Students who transfer in as sophomores (second year) must take one additional activity course.
- Students who transfer in as juniors (third year) or seniors (fourth year) are not required to take additional activity courses.
- Students who transfer in as seniors must take PEAC 125–Fitness for College in the first semester and PEAC 425–Fit for Hire in the second semester.
In order to achieve the student learning outcomes, the currently required course PEAC 225–Fitness for Life will be redesigned to become PEAC 125–Fitness for College. The redesigned course will set a foundation by concentrating specifically on physical activity and fitness training, and will be required in the first year. Pre- and post-fitness assessments will remain as part of the course. Instruction will focus on fitness assessment, physical activity training principles, and writing a personal fitness plan that incorporates physical activity based on individual fitness assessment results and personal fitness goals.
New Senior Capstone Course
A senior capstone physical activity course, PEAC 425–Fit for Hire, will be added to the general education curriculum. This course will include fitness assessments and physical activity as part of the course requirements (see Appendix D). PEAC 425–Fit for Hire will encourage students to reflect on and evaluate their university physical fitness and activity experience, write a personal fitness plan based on their individual fitness assessment results and personal fitness goals for the semester, and create a plan that includes lifetime fitness and activity goals for continued physical activity beyond graduation.
Assessment Requirements for All Physical Activity Courses
Physical activity courses will require two standardized assessments:
- Students will be required to complete the Rockport One-Mile Walking Test (see Appendix A) mid-way through the semester. The Rockport walk assessment will be required for students currently enrolled in an activity course and will be promoted for all students on campus.
- Students will be required to complete the IPAQ (see Appendix B) mid-way through the semester.