Career Opportunities

In the field of Health and Human Performance.

Community Health Education

Settings in which Community Health Education majors are employed include hospitals and other health-care institutions, in-patient education programs, community-based health education programs initiated by health departments, Boys & Girls Clubs, community clinics and outreach services. Employment can also be obtained at national health-related agency programs which include such organizations as the American Cancer Society, The American Lung Association, The National Foundation-March of Dimes, The American Red Cross, The National Safety Council and the American Medical Association.

Gerontological Studies & Services

The GSS major prepares students for career opportunities in program administration, legal/political advocacy, health promotion, physical fitness programs, recreational leadership and retirement counseling. Employment opportunities exist in adult education programs, ambulatory care centers, health promotion settings, health related facilities, hospitals, public/private sectors, senior citizen centers and skilled nursing facilities, as well as retirement communities.

Health Education Teaching preK-12

The School Health Education major is designed to prepare students to teach health education in grades preK-12. The teaching major includes 15 credits of physical education skill courses, 26 credits of physical education foundation courses, and 24 1/2 credits of education courses. The curriculum leads to New York State initial teaching certification. School health educators are skilled in health instruction as well as curriculum development. 

Health Promotion Management

Health Promotion Management majors may be employed in corporations, hospitals, health-related agencies or at York College. They may do field work in corporations such as Metropolitan Life or Chase Manhattan Bank, or in health-related agencies such as The Queens Lung Association, or The American Cancer Society, or at York College in the Health Promotion Center. The focus of the major is on worksite wellness programs.

Movement Science

A specialization in cardiovascular fitness prepares the Movement Science major for fitness leadership jobs in business and industry, in private agencies like the YMCA and YMHA, and in cardiac rehabilitation programs. A specialization in recreation offers career opportunities in community recreation, in Federal, State and City agencies, and in private organizations such as nursing homes. Activity specialists coach community and school teams and work in Park Departments. Recreation directors organize and administer community recreation programs. In addition, a major in Movement Science can prepare the student for work as a perceptual-motor therapist and/or physical educator for the physically or emotionally challenged or the elderly.

Physical Education Teaching preK-12

The teaching major includes 15 credits of physical education skill courses, 26 credits of physical education foundation courses, and 24 1/2 credits of education courses. The curriculum leads to New York State initial teaching certification. Graduates are employed as teachers, coaches, recreation leaders, exercise prescription specialists, fitness leaders, movement educators, athletic coordinators & directors and aquatics directors. Graduates may be employed in the following settings: preK-12 schools, colleges and universities, fitness and wellness centers, pre-school centers, gymnastics centers, health clubs, private corporations, federal, state and city agencies, nursing homes, medical facilities and aquatics facilities.

Public Health

Public health programs focus primarily on prevention and health promotion (rather than treatment), and on whole populations (rather than individuals). Public health is an essential component of the US health system. Its infrastructure and prevention-based programs, together with clinical health systems, work to improve population health and reduce health care costs among populations. The undergraduate program in public health at York College is focused on the science of protecting and improving the health and well-being of communities.