Research

Faculty and staff in the Department of Physical and Health Education at SRU engage in various pioneering research projects, which advance the understanding of physical and health education.
The research projects vary in their nature and scope, and include, among others:

Adapted physical activity
Increasing the health and wellness of people with disabilities
Service learning
Educational pedagogy
Biomechanics
Equestrian rehabilitation
The impact of health and wellness on youths in the legal system
Physical activity's impact on new parents

Research conducted by faculty and staff help maintain the department's academic rigor. Having faculty and staff members participating in pioneering research means that students benefit from taking courses taught by experts in the field who contribute to the growing body of research and critical thought.

Center for Disability and Health

The Center on the Disability and Health provides students with opportunities to participate in research, service learning, and advocacy activities for people living with disabilities. All the interdisciplinary research conducted at the center helps guide evidence-based practices in Adapted Physical Activity. The center serves as a resource for both the local and global community and remains integral to promoting physical activity and wellness for people of all abilities.

Rock Life Program

Post Secondary Education Program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which includes autism spectrum disorder.

Program Director: Jessica Hall-Wirth

Program Coordinator: Zachary Baynham

Our campus community, faculty, staff and coaches help to support each student as they are provided with the college experience.

Our Mission:

Rock Life provides a fully inclusive college experience for individuals who meet the qualifications with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (potential new)
Slippery Rock University’s Rock Life Program is a comprehensive post secondary education program for individuals with disabilities focusing on four major pillars; academics, vocational, physical activity and social.
Rock Life is a comprehensive transition program (CTP).

The Four Pillars:

1. Academics:

Rock Life is a program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. To qualify, students must have earned a high school diploma and meet all admission criteria. Rock Life is a program in which students attend traditional academic classes and participate in a fully inclusive college experience. Rock Life is a two to six year program tailored to each individual’s interests, needs, and goals.
Students can enroll in classes for audit or credit. Courses for credit are taken just as traditional SRU students, courses for audit the student does not receive a grade and completes 50% or more of the assignments.

Rock Life is a non-degree seeking program, which means the students are taking classes without working towards a full degree. If they qualify, students may transfer into degree seeking if interested. Rock Life students become a traditional SRU student and would take on a major and support work towards completing a full degree

2. Vocational:

In addition to attending classes, students in Rock Life will be given the opportunity to engage in a traditional work experience either on or off campus. Program coordinators and college coaches will assist each student in the process of applying and securing a job in their area of interest. Students are required to work a minimum of two semesters while in the Rock Life program. Students have the option to complete an internship experience in their area of interest in the final year of their Rock Life experience.

3. Physical Activity:

The Rock Life Program focuses heavily on lifelong health and wellness for the students. Students are offered opportunities to participate in Unified Fitness (a partner-based exercise program), intramural sports and recreational activities. Students must participate in a minimum of one physical activity option each semester they are enrolled in the Rock Life program.

4. Social:

Rock Life students participate in fully-inclusive social programs on the University's campus. Students are required to get involved with a minimum of one club or organization on campus. Students must also participate in multiple social events each semester. Planned social events include both a social activity and independent living skill building. A social calendar is shared with all students and parents to start the semester so the opportunities are known from the start.

Additional Information:

Housing/Commuting Options:

On Campus:

Rock Life students are given the option to live in Watson Hall in the Rock Life Living Learning Community (LLC). These LLC’s are designed for students of a similar interest to live on the floor together. Watson Hall has the Rock Life LLC, Education LLC and Honors LLC all living in the same building. LLC’s are popular housing options at Slippery Rock and are shown to increase retention rate for the students.

Commuters:

Rock Life students are eligible to commute to campus and receive the same amount of support an on-campus student would receive in terms of college coaching. Commuters are still expected to work on skills in all four of the Rock Life pillars.

Rock Life Fees:

Commuter Fees:

	Tuition (in-state)	Academic Fees	Program Fees	Room/Meals	Total
3 credits	$966.00	$345.69	$1,000	--	$2,311.69
6 credits	$1,932.00	$691.38	$1,000	--	$3,623.38
7 credits	$2,254.00	$806.61	$1,000	--	$4,060.61
9 credits	$2,898.00	$1,037.07	$1,000	--	$4,935.07

On-Campus Fees:

	Tuition (in-state)	Academic Fees	Program Fees	Room/Meals	Total
6 credits	$1,932.00	$691.38	$2,500.00	$5,226.00	$10,349.38
7 credits	$2,254.00	$806.61	$2,500.00	$5,226.00	$10,786.61
9 credits	$2,898.00	$1,037.07	$2,500.00	$5,226.00	$11,661.07