SUNY Canton Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) majors Katie Campbell of Avon, Ct., and Gary Travers of North Bangor monitor Chelsey MacDonald of Massena’s performance on the treadmill. The PTA program will serve as the first two years in the College’s new health and fitness promotion four-year degree.

SUNY Canton’s newest program will lead to careers in the growing fitness industry and offers students a gateway to health-related advanced degree programs, including a doctor of physical therapy.

The College has received approval from the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Education to offer the four-year health and fitness promotion degree.

“The health industry continues to grow and we expect this program to grow quickly as well,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. “I can see it expanding as rapidly as our new sports management major, which already has more than 125 applicants for next year.”

The newest offering is a two plus two program that builds on the College’s existing two-year programs according to Deborah Molnar, a doctor of physical therapy and director of the College’s physical therapist assistant (PTA) program.

“One of the first questions incoming students ask about the two-year PTA program is ‘How do I become a physical therapist with this degree?’” Molnar said. “The health and fitness promotion program can close the gap between our associate degree and a doctorate of physical therapy.”

The program consists of student-selected tracks. During the first two years in an associate’s program, students can opt to take PTA specific courses, or other relevant associate degree courses with an emphasis in science and health. During the final two years, students can choose either a science or a business track depending on their personal interests. Students who wish to start a career immediately after college would typically select the business track, while those seeking to continue their education towards a doctor of physical therapy or other health-related degrees can choose the science track.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for fitness workers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations. There is rapid job growth in health clubs and other fitness facilities. Employment in the field is expected to grow 27 percent through 2016. Graduates of the program may pursue employment in settings that promote health and wellness including fitness centers, corporate fitness facilities, as personal trainers, with athletic teams, and community and health organizations.

“The benefits of good health and exercise have become increasingly prevalent and integrated into our society,” said Diane Para, Ph.D., an assistant professor and the director of the college’s sports management program. “Fitness is no longer reserved for elite athletes. It is equally important for all members of society as a means of disease prevention and longevity.”

The program will be a complement to the sports management program, according to Para, and will utilize shared faculty members and training resources. Students in the program will utilize the resources in the new “Roos House” Athletic Center scheduled to open later this spring, including the facility’s brand new state-of-the-art fitness center.

Similar to most of SUNY Canton’s four-year programs, courses in the health and fitness promotion program will be offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. For more information, or to seek admission into the program for the Fall 2011 semester, contact the SUNY Canton Admissions Office at 315-386-7123 or email admissions@canton.edu.

For additional information, view the curriculum Health & Fitness Promotion webpage.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

Students from the International Institute for Health Sciences (IIHS) in Sri Lanka will be coming to Northern New York to earn degrees in the physical therapist assistant program at the College.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Ebk_9I_Ow

SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy recently signed the memorandum of cooperation linking the two universities.

“Our latest expansion into international learning programs fits with our mission and the State University of New York’s plan to increase international educational opportunities,” said Kennedy. “The demands of this field include providing the global healthcare profession with students who have gained international perspective and experience.”

Students enrolled in the program will attend IIHS for two years before traveling to the United States to complete an additional year at SUNY Canton, which will include a semester of clinical instruction. The students will graduate with an associate degree. The first graduating class is scheduled to take part in SUNY Canton’s commencement exercises in May 2013.

Deborah Molnar, assistant professor and physical therapist assistant program director, noted the collaboration between the two institutions was set in motion more than a year and a half ago. “Our students and theirs will mutually benefit from working with each other,” she said. “Student’s knowledge of the science and practice of the program will expand, aiding the professional practice both locally and internationally.”

Pictured is SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy signing the IIHC agreement with Marela Fiacco, director of international programs, and Deborah Molnar, PTA program director.

The College has partnered with several international universities in recent years, but the agreement with IIHS is the first of its kind for SUNY Canton. The College’s other international partnerships offer online bachelor’s degree programs that give students the opportunity to earn dual degrees from SUNY Canton and their home institution.

“The new partnership will bring even more international students to our area,” said Marela Fiacco, director of international programs. “Each time we partner with other colleges overseas, we increase the diverse learning experiences available to our students.”

The International Institute for Health Sciences is a healthcare training organization whose mission is to bring innovation to healthcare training, infuse the traditional values of professionalism, while adhering to international training standards to improve the quality of lives of healthcare professionals. The Institute partnered with SUNY Canton and other international organizations to provide solutions to the global need of well-educated professionals working in healthcare.

This cooperation came about through SUNY Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs Mitch Leventhal and his contact Priyanthi Dissanayake, a guidance counselor and foreign university placement adviser. Dissanayake works with institutions in Sri Lanka to bring them together with Colleges in the United States.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.