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YuanLong Liu, Chair
Main Office:  4024 Student Recreation Center
Telephone:  (269) 387-2710
Fax:  (269) 387-2704

Suzan Ayers
Chris Cheatham
Benjamin Cork
Nicholas Hanson
Geumchan Hwang
Sangwoo Lee
James Lewis
Ming Li
Timothy Michael
Michael G. Miller
Lori Reichel
Zeljka Vidic
Carol Weideman
Jiabei Zhang

The Human Performance and Health Education Department offers students the opportunity to pursue career development in six major areas of study and six minors. The professional programs are based on the following concepts: (1) balanced undergraduate preparation enables the student to later specialize at the graduate level, (2) exposure to practical experiences throughout the professional sequence is critical, (3) elective choices enhance professional options, and (4) continual review of curriculum facilitates program effectiveness.

Students who desire specialized professional preparation may select from the following:

Majors

1. Athletic Training Professional Program
2. Exercise Science
3. Physical and Health Education Teacher Education: K-12
4. Recreation/Sport Management

Minors

1. Coaching
2. Event Management

Students are expected to work closely with the College of Education and Human Development Advising Office.

Transfer Students

Transfer credits from four-year schools and community colleges may be included in majors and minors. However, a minimum of one-half of the required semester hours for a major or a minor must be taken at Western Michigan University.

For those seeking teaching certification in Health Education or Physical Education, the following Human Performance and Health Education teaching methods course(s) must be included in the hours at WMU: (1) Health Education (majors and minors): HPHE 3120 and 4120; 3520 (majors only); (2) Physical Education: HPHE 4470 and 4480. Transfer students in physical education must participate in Human Performance and Health Education entry skill and fitness assessments administered during HPHE 1500. Transfer students should contact the HPHE 1500 course instructor at the beginning of the first semester of work at WMU.

University General Education Requirement

Each student must complete 37 hours of work in approved General Education courses and/or non-professional courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. For additional information please refer to the General Education section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Program Admission Policy

Students interested in Recreation or Exercise Science may enter the program by declaring their major to a College of Education and Human Development advisor and completing the appropriate introductory course with a grade of “C” or better.

Physical Education and School Health Education students must complete the following requirements prior to application:

1. Completion of 35 credit hours (transfer hours included).
2. Completion of HPHE 1500 or HPHE 1550 (with a grade of “C” or better) and BIOS 1120 for Health, Physical Education Teacher/Coach majors and associated minors.
3. Completion of all cognate courses is required. Physical Education Teacher-Coach majors/minors must complete BIOS 1120, BIOS 2110, BIOS 2400, and HPHE 1110. Health Education (Community or School Emphasis) majors/minors must complete BIOS 1120, BIOS 2110, BIOS 2400, PSY 1000 or PSY 1500, and SOC 2000).
4. Acceptance into the program will proceed throughout the year. Students meeting the qualifications stated above will be admitted into Human Performance and Health Education department programs.  Students must be admitted into the department to enroll in courses on the “restricted list.”  Such courses require the prerequisite work included in the Human Performance and Health Education department Admission Policy.

Athletic Training students are referred to the “Admission Standards” section within the “Athletic Training Professional Program”.

Prior to admission to Intern Teaching, the following must be met: 

• Completion of all required courses.
• Passing scores on Michigan Basic Skills Test.
• Accumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.
• An overall GPA of 2.5 in the professional education sequence and no grade lower than a “C” in any professional education course.
• Completion of methods course(s) in major and/or minor with a minimum grade of “C”.

General Physical Education

A maximum of eight (8) hours of general activity physical education may be applied toward electives for graduation credit.

All courses are co-ed. Course descriptions may be obtained from the Human Performance and Health Education office.

• PEGN 1000-level courses - are open to all students and emphasize beginning activity skills.

• PEGN 1700-1830 - Health and Wellness courses are approved for fulfillment of General Education Area VIII. The content included addresses the topics of health, including nutrition, substance abuse, Studs, and the concepts of physical fitness. Dual enrollment in 1700-1830 courses offered in one semester is prohibited. Courses are not repeatable for credit.

• PEGN 2000-level courses - are open to all students who have completed a 1000-level course in the activity or the equivalent. (** Prerequisite 2490 or Red Cross Intermediate Card)

• PEGN 3000-level courses - are open to all students desiring additional experience in an activity and who have completed the 2000-level course or permission of instructor to enroll.

• PEGN 4000 - A varsity athlete may receive PEGN credit by enrollment and completion of these courses. (1 credit hour each.) Enrollment by permission of instructor.

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