Wellness and healthy living are becoming more than just an individual concern - they can have measurable, positive results for communities, workplaces, schools and families. Conestoga College, the areas largest source for health education, is expanding its vision and scope from a focus on health to one on health and wellness.
Conestoga is launching two versions of a new, full-time, diploma-level program titled Fitness and Health Promotion. A two-year version (four semesters) starts in the fall of 2009. This September, an accelerated, 30-week version will begin at the Doon campus in Kitchener.
Fitness and Health Promotion is aimed at what surely will be a growing market for skilled professionals who can design, organize, implement and evaluate programs dealing with fitness, exercise, nutrition and lifestyle coaching in many settings, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, business and industry, and even self-employment.
The accelerated, 30-week format is appropriate for students who already hold a degree or diploma in kinesiology, health studies, biology, psychology or a related field. The two-year version is appropriate for secondary school graduates looking to prepare for a career.
Fitness and Health Promotion, in addition to its focus on fitness, exercise, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, will offer participants on-campus internships and industry field placements.
The idea of on-campus internships is an indication of Conestogas larger vision to become an outstanding example of a wellness-based organization.
This vision is based on three philosophical pillars: student wellness, employee wellness and community wellness. Conestoga fully intends to review and evaluate existing services, such as campus health, student life, employee assistance, professional development, the student residence and the Conestoga Recreation Centre to streamline and coordinate options for students, employees and adult learners, as well as to expand the availability and integration of services.
To learn more about Fitness and Health Promotion, contact the Conestoga Information Centre at 519-748-5220, ext. 3656 (519-763-9525, ext. 3656 in the Guelph area).
CONTACT: Elissa Bonin, 519-748-5220, ext. 2364, ebonin@conestogac.on.ca