International study programme European Bachelor of Physical Activity and Lifestyle will be introduced in autumn
An international study programme European Bachelor of Physical Activity and Lifestyle has been developed by Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) together with five European institutions of higher education. The unique programme in Lithuania will be taught in the English language and qualify physical activity and lifestyle consultants-personal trainers.
„The study programme has been developed as a result of participation in an international project „European Bachelor in Physical Activity and Lifestyle Counselling“ (code 510029-LLP-1-2010-1-NL-ERASMUS-ECDSP). Researchers, sports and health care professionals and psychologists maintain that in Europe there is lack of qualified health promoting physical activity and lifestyle trainers and consultants to help people change the way of life which should be the target of noncommunicable disease prevention. The change of personal lifestyle is a challenging task as it relates to personal identity changes. Various behaviour change theories and findings of scientific research, as well as practical experience have to be employed in this process. The research reveals that about half of people quit sporting activities during the first half of the year, which shows that even after behaviour has been altered, it is difficult to sustain the change. The professionals of this programme would help people make decisions and accompany them in the behaviour change process and contribute to the formation of an internal motivation. Hanze University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands) and The Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (Portugal) have launched the study programme of the same content this year. Our university will be the third in Europe to prepare healthy lifestyle consultants and health promoting physical activity trainers“, said LSU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr. Rasa Jankauskienė.
The international management of the study programme will be warranted by the Consortium of universities. The Consortium consists of Hanze University (the Netherlands), Inholland Haarlem University (the Netherlands), the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (Portugal), University of Southern Denmark (Denmark), University of Rome „Foro Italico“ (Italy), Lithuanian Sports University (Lithuania) and European Network of Sport Science, Education and Employment (ENSSEE). The Consortium ensures the united implementation of the study programme and quality of studies. The graduates of the programme will be conferred Bachelor‘s degree in Sport by Lithuanian Sports University and the certificate issued by the Consortium of universities. The certificate will provide better employment possibilities abroad or access to further studies in European universities.
„The students will have to spend at least one semster studying under ERASMUS exchange programme at one of the universities belonging to the Consortium. According to the study programme, internship will last for 3 months and students will be given a possibility to carry it out in foreign countries, where health promoing activities are more developed“, said LSU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr. Rasa Jankauskienė.
Lecturers from the universities belonging to the Consortium will be involved in teaching in the study programme alongside Lithuanian Sports University lecturers. Students will be able to carry out physical activity and lifestyle analysis, test and assess physical strength and fitness of a person, know how to develop a personal, group or community behaviour change programme/ project on the basis of modern behaviour change and motivation theories through health promoting and strengthening methodology. Students will be able to consult on physical activity and healthy lifestyle issues; the programme will provide knowledge on European policy of health, physical activity and nutrition, management of sport sector and development of individual business.
The programme will focus on carrying out scientific research, group management, improvement of decision making skills in unfamiliar situations, entrepreneurship and self-development.
The graduates will be able to be employed as healthy lifestyle consultants in private or public companies or business establishments, private and municipal sports and fitness centers, spas, beauty centers, companies which arrange recreational activities, and rehabilitation institutions (sanatoriums). The specialists will be able to engage in private activities, notably through the establishment of their own advisory or wellness based businesses. After completion of the programme students will have access to further graduate studies in Biomedicine or Social Sciences.
The study programme was accredited by the Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education in November 2013. Therefore, the programme will be strated in the autumn of 2014. The required level of English knowledge for the applicants is B1; however, Level B2 has to be reached during the first semester. The study programme is international, so students from foreign countries are welcome. Bachelor‘s degree in Sports will be conferred and the certificate signed by the Rectors of all the universities of the international Consortium issued after the studies of 3,5 years. The international website of the programme: http://www.palc.eu
