Undergraduate Bulletin > Academic Units > School of Health & Human Performance

School of Health and Human Performance

In the School of Health and Human Performance, academic programs are offered through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Public Health Education, and the Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management including the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program. Each department offers varied courses for all University students and programs of study leading to undergraduate majors and minors in their respective areas. Graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Public Health Education, Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management, and Kinesiology are also offered. The School’s programs are designed to meet specialized interests of students and also the requirements of state and national accrediting agencies and professional associations.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders provides opportunities for the study of normal speech, language, and hearing and the associated disorders, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. The courses offered in this program are pre-professional and prepare the student for further study at the graduate level. Faculty and students in Communication Sciences and Disorders provide services to clients in the University Speech and Hearing Center, and engage in cooperative work with area schools, hospitals, and other human service agencies. In addition, the faculty and students in Communication Sciences and Disorders are actively involved in research.

The Department of Kinesiology offers the major in Kinesiology leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students may select concentrations in Fitness Leadership, Sports Medicine, Physical Education and Health Teacher Education (licensure track), or in Community Youth Sport Development (non-licensure track). Kinesiology prepares students for careers in preventive and rehabilitative exercise and fitness, and may be tailored to meet the needs and interests of students planning graduate study in athletic training, medicine, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. This department also offers graduate studies leading to the master’s degree and doctoral degrees.

The Department of Public Health Education offers the Public Health major, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Within the Public Health major, students may select a concentration in Community Health Education or Health Studies. The Community Health Education concentration is a professional program preparing graduates to become Health Educators. The requirements of the Community Health Education concentration meet the professional standards of the field of Health Education allowing graduating students to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national credentialing exam. A Health Studies concentration is available for those looking for a pre-professional or non-professional degree option. A Health Studies minor is also available. The department also offers graduate studies leading to a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) degree in community health education. As a complement to the academic enterprise of the department, faculty, and students within Public Health Education are also actively involved in local and national research and outreach.

In the Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management a student majoring in Recreation and Parks Management may choose from three areas of concentration: Leisure Services Management, Therapeutic Recreation, or Commercial Recreation and Special Event Management. These concentrations lead to the Bachelor of Science degree. A Recreation and Parks Management minor and a minor in Travel, Tourism, and Commercial Recreation, in addition to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, are also available. The undergraduate program has been fully accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation since 1981.

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with two concentrations: Hotel and Restaurant Management and Travel and Tourism Management. The Bachelor of Arts degree balances business, hospitality, and tourism classes with work in the field through student internships. Students are able to gain valuable industry experience and develop a professional industry network over the course of this degree program. Opportunities for international study are also available. Faculty and students in Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management are actively engaged in community-based research at the local, state, national, and international arenas.

Further details about specific major programs can be found in the alphabetical Department listings. Graduate degree programs and graduate-level courses are described in The Graduate School Bulletin.