Wellness is about more than just not being sick.  Wellness is about developing ourselves and others with the whole person in mind.

With the rising costs of health care, businesses are eager to hire wellness professionals who can help. Wellness is clearly emerging as a health promotion emphasis in businesses, community hospitals, colleges and universities, YMCA/YWCA, and senior settings, and offers opportunities for trained individuals to promote optimal health and well-being for all citizens.

The Defiance College wellness and corporate fitness program focuses on developing and implementing health risk reduction programs.  A wellness major can provide the educational base and practical experiences that lead to graduate study in health management, exercise science, exercise physiology, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, or fitness management.

This major is part of the exercise science area which also includes physical education, health, and sport management majors, and the sports medicine concentration area. The exercise science area allows each of these majors to share core educational experiences with related majors prior to specializing in their specific educational track.

Students within the Wellness and Corporate Fitness program learn about health intervention planning and implementation from first-hand experience within school and community based projects. Students are required to participate in both a field experience and internship to gain real-world professional experience.

Major in wellness and corporate fitness at Defiance College and make a career out of caring for the whole person.

• Minor in Wellness and Corporate Fitness
  
  

Major Brochure | Courses | Sample Plan of Study

Internships

Students have completed internships at the Defiance Area YMCA, Defiance Regional Medical Center, the Kettering (Ohio) Sports Medicine Clinic, the Lucas County Metro Park System, and the Defiance County Health Department as well as many other regional programs.

After College — What’s Next?

After graduation, one may pursue an entry level job or move on to graduate school. With a major in Wellness and an emphasis in Athletic Training, one is equipped to work in hospital, clinic, or industrial settings.

The Faculty

Kathleen Westfall, M.S., ATC, Clinical Education Coordinator
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Instructor of Exercise Science
419-783-2345 | kwestfall@defiance.edu

Timothy E. Rickabaugh, Ph.D., Professor of Exercise Science
419-783-2584 | trickabaugh@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile

Kevin M. Tong, M.S.Ed., ATC, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Head Athletic Trainer
419-783-2340 | ktong@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile

Craig A. Rutter, M.Ed., Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Engagement
419-783-2374 | crutter@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile

Matthew Lydum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education
419-783-2419 | mlydum@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile