ABOR Approves New Degrees, Department for ASU's Polytechnic campus

January 26, 2001

MESA, Ariz. The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) approved two degrees today that will help prepare students for positions in cardiac rehab units, worksite health/wellness promotion facilities and YMCAs.<separator></separator>Starting in the fall, Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus will offer the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness, making ASU's Polytechnic campus the only Arizona state university that offers bachelor's and master's degrees in Exercise and Wellness. ABOR also approved the establishment of the Department of Exercise and Wellness during its monthly meeting held at Arizona State University in Tempe.<separator></separator>"The new degrees will be a good fit with our Nutrition programs and the developing area of Human Health at ASU's Polytechnic campus," said Vice Provost David Schwalm.<separator></separator> The department and degree programs move to ASU's Polytechnic campus this summer, bringing the total number of degree programs offered at the campus to 21. Currently, the well-established exercise and wellness program is housed in the Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU.<separator></separator> "We see more opportunities for our programs to grow and be more visible at the Mesa campus, and we see immediate synergies with the Department of Nutrition," said Exercise and Wellness Professor Bill Stone.<separator></separator> "The move also provides improved facilities for student instruction and faculty research," added Stone.<separator></separator> It's estimated that the move will impact approximately 250 students. Students have been notified of the move and tours of the ASU's Polytechnic campus campus are being planned for the spring. Eight faculty and three staff members will also move to ASU's Polytechnic campus.<separator></separator>All the necessary courses will be offered at the Mesa campus, and at least five of the courses will be offered through distance learning so that students graduating in fall 2001 have the option to finish their last semester in Tempe.