Physical Education

Physical Education

Affordable and 100% online, EOU’s Physical Education bridge provides you with the curriculum you need to complete your degree on time and on budget!

EOU focuses on science-based approaches, practical applications of movement analysis, and techniques for teaching motor development across the lifespan and in special populations. When the PES concentration is combined with the Masters of Arts in Teaching, students are well prepared to enter the teaching workforce.


Trinity Christian College Curriculum

Our Faculty

Darren Dutto, Ph.D.

Darren Dutto Ph.D. is the primary advisor and professor for the Exercise Science concentration in the Physical Activity and Health program. His classes prepare students for work in the exercise field, graduate study, and for physical therapy. Many of his students have gone on to graduate work either in physical therapy or in exercise science. He oversees the human performance laboratory at EOU. His primary field of interest in biomechanics and has published a number of works on locomotion both in humans and horses. Another area of interest is sport performance and how holistic view of the athlete and application of many exercise science disciplines are important for optimal performance. Finally, he is interested in the application of research in the sport sciences to improving the health of non-athlete individuals.

  • Ph.D. in Human Performance: Biomechanics, Oregon State University
  • M.S. in Exercise Science, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
  • BS in Physical Education: Biomechanics, University of California, Davis

541.962.3220
ddutto@eou.edu

Kyle Pfaffenbach

541.962.3443
kpfaffenbach@eou.edu

Dr. Pfaffenbach’s academic training has provided him a diverse background in a variety of fields ranging from sports performance to cancer biochemistry. He holds a MS in exercise science, PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry, and spent time as a post-doctoral fellow at the Norris Cancer Center at the University of Southern California. While he teaches a variety of classes for the Eastern Oregon University PHYSH department, his main focus is on the cellular physiology of exercise, nutrition for health, and nutrition for sport performance. Outside of teaching he enjoys the outdoor recreation offered in eastern Oregon, including mountain biking, running, skiing, and fly-fishing.

  • Post-doctoral Fellowship, University of Southern California
  • Ph.D. Nutrition, Colorado State University
  • MS Exercise Science, Colorado State University
  • BS Exercise Science, Colorado State University

Alysia Cohen, Ph.D., MPH, ATC

T: 541.962.3673
acohen@eou.edu 

Alysia Cohen is a Senior Instructor for the Department of Physical Activity and Health with emphasis on Health and Wellness and Exercise Science courses. Dr. Cohen’s professional experience began as Certified Athletic Trainer working with high school athletic programs and teaching Physical Education, Health, and Occupational Health classes. Her most recent professional experience includes serving as Associate Head Athletic Trainer at Northern Arizona University. A return to academics brought Dr. Cohen back to Oregon State University serving as an academic advisor for Public Health and Nutrition and Exercise Science undergraduate students. Shortly after she began her doctoral studies in Physical Activity and Public Health. Dr. Cohen’s research involves examining physical activity behaviors of youth participating in organized youth sports programs; the association between physical activity and contextual factors of physical activity in the youth sports setting, including factors related to experience, efficacy, and training of volunteer youth sports coaches. In addition, via her work with the Benton County Health Department, Dr. Cohen worked collaboratively with community organizations in developing and evaluating physical activity programs for youth with developmental and physical disabilities.

Beyond her academic work, Dr. Cohen is an avid outdoor enthusiast that enjoys running, mountain biking, skiing, gardening, and walking her dogs.

  • Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science:  Oregon State University
  • Masters in Public Health (MPH):  Oregon State University
  • MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction:  Boise State University
  • BA in Exercise and Sport Science (Athletic Training):  Oregon State University

Kelly McNeil, Ph.D.

541.962.3413
krice@eou.edu

Kelly McNeil, is the primary advisor and professor for the Health and Wellness concentration in the Physical Activity and Health program. Her classes prepare students with an in-depth knowledge of the role of program planning and behavior theory in the development of health programs designed to improve both individual and community health.  Dr. McNeil’s professional experience began at the Missoula City-County Health Department, working in tobacco control and active living. Her research involves examining the link between physical activity and obesity in young children; the association between physical activity and nutrition-related policies and practices on health behaviors in preschool children in family child-care homes.  Dr. McNeil has and is currently working on the use of community based participatory research strategies to support physical activity in diverse communities as well as using the outdoor natural environment for physical activity promotion and obesity treatment in adolescents.   Her experience as an obesity prevention practitioner combined with her research experience and teaching, provides her with a unique perspective on promotion of activity by children.

Personal interests include skiing, biking, running, hiking and just about anything outside and active.

  • PH.D. in Health Promotion: Oregon State University
  • MS in Health and Exercise Science: University of Oklahoma
  • BS in Health and Human Performance: University of Montana

Brian Sather

541.962.3501
bsather@eou.edu

Professor of Physical Activity & Health at Eastern Oregon University. I specialize in Sport Management and Pedagogy, but I have experience teaching quite a variety of classes in my college teaching career that started in 1996. Since that time, I have been incorporating the use of online tools and other technology to enhance student learning. I live in Summerville with my family of 4 with 2 kids, a boy and girl. We enjoy a variety of recreation activities and travel.

  • Ph.D. in Kinesiology
  • Master of Business Administration: Eastern Oregon University
  • M.S., Physical Education: Brigham Young University
  • B.A., History: Atlantic Union College
  • B.S., Physical Education: Walla Walla University