An Introduction to the Department

The Department of Health, Physical Education, & Recreation offers nationally recognized professional preparation programs for majors and a physical activity program for non-majors to fulfill the general education requirement for physical education. The Department offers undergraduate degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Physical Education with teacher endorsement in Health and Physical Education at the PreK-12 levels, in Recreation, and in Sport Management.  Physical activity courses for the general education requirement include a wide variety of lifetime sports activities

The overall goal of the Department is to provide an environment in which each student can pursue professional development and wellness for life through classroom activities, sports skills practice, and extracurricular activities designed to enhance intellectual development, physical fitness, emotional strength, and social wellbeing.

The Recreation Degree Program

Recreation majors will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in recreation programming. The Recreation program will prepare students for positions of leadership and service in which they can define and fully participate in best practices and growth trends in recreation and tourism at the community, national, and international levels. The program aims to prepare students who are dedicated to enhancing quality of life for individuals across the lifespan and in special populations by promoting creative and active lifestyles through recreation and fitness experiences, with a focus on community-based programs. The curriculum includes major coursework, electives, and a culminating internship experience. Requirements for the internship and graduation include a grade of “C” or higher in all Departmental courses (prefixes of HEA, PED, and REC); an overall Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher; and other Department, Division, School, and University requirements.

Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for recreation majors include positions in community recreation and parks departments, local recreation centers, aquatics centers, university recreation and intramural departments, schools, private agencies, vacation destinations and resorts, and other leisure services settings as sports instructors or coordinators, athletic directors, aquatics/waterfront directors, recreation program directors, youth counselors, program leaders, education coordinators, and facility directors.  Recreation majors also may pursue graduate study in a variety of fields such as recreation and tourism studies, recreation management, public administration, health promotion, and a spectrum of activity-related disciplines.  The Department has an impressive track record of students finding employment and entering graduate school

Scholarships & Financial Assistance
Scholarships are awarded for qualifying students through the University Scholarship Program. These include Presidential Scholars, Academic Achievers, and various Departmental scholarships as obtained through grants, projects, internships, Army and Navy scholarships, government agencies, industry, and other organizations. Information on other sources of financial assistance (e.g., Pell Grant, Work-Study, Federal Direct Loan Programs, etc.) is available through the University Financial Aid Office.

Department Faculty
The Department of Health & Physical Education is comprised of 12 full-time faculty and approximately 10 part-time/adjunct faculty.  The faculty take pride in working together to provide high quality academic programs and to mentor students in professional growth and personal development.  In addition to excellent academic credentials, many of the faculty are involved in their respective professional organizations, holding positions of national leadership and service.  Publications and grants also are areas where faculty excel and bring distinction to the Department.  Faculty have expertise in the following specialty areas:

• Aquatics
• Athletics & Coaching
• Dance
• Exercise Science
• Health Education & Promotion
• Injury Prevention
• Physical Fitness
• Recreation: Program Delivery
• Recreation: Management
• Sports Administration
• Sport Management
• Teacher Preparation - Pedagogy